EU format for residence permits

KEY POINTS

• The permits must be stand-alone documents in card form (initially they could also be stickers attached to another official paper).
• The regulation specifies the form and content of all the visible information to be given on the document, such as an individual’s surname and first name (in that order), and the start and end of a permit’s validity.
• Technical specifications cover the colour, printing process and techniques, and material to be used for the permits.
• The specifications include security features to prevent forgery and counterfeiting. These are kept secret and only made known to the national authorities responsible for printing the permits.
• EU countries may add further national security features in compliance with the list in the annex to the regulation if they wish, so long as they do not change the uniform appearance of the card.
• The regulation does not apply to:
  • families of European citizens exercising their right to live in another EU country;
  • visa holders; or
  • those non-EU citizens who may stay for up to 3 months without requiring a visa.

Regulation (EC) No 380/2008 amends Regulation (EC) No 1030/2002 as regards the integration of biometric identifiers¹ into the uniform format for residence permits.

• Biometric identifiers are used to verify the permit’s authenticity and the holder’s identity. These consist of an applicant’s recent photo and 2 fingerprints.
• The procedure for taking these identifiers must respect national legislation and the safeguards contained in the United Nations human rights and rights of the child conventions.
• The data from the biometric identifiers must be stored and secured so that their integrity, authenticity and confidentiality are guaranteed.

Because the current format for residence permits has been used for over 20 years, amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1954 was adopted.

It introduces a new uniform template for permits with new security features so as to prevent forgery. The images and text specifications contained in the annex to amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1954 replace those in the annex to the original 2002 regulation. EU countries have a 6-month transitional period to use up existing stocks of residence permits.