In 2021 across the EU almost 3 million (2,952,300) first residence permits were issued to non-EU citizens, according to Eurostat, reaching pre-crisis levels recorded in 2019 (2,955,300).  Photo: Shutterstock.

In 2021 across the EU almost 3 million (2,952,300) first residence permits were issued to non-EU citizens, according to Eurostat, reaching pre-crisis levels recorded in 2019 (2,955,300).  Photo: Shutterstock.

The number of third country nationals making an EU member state their new home has returned to pre-pandemic levels in the bloc, but in Luxembourg the recovery speed is slower with approximately 1,400 fewer arrivals than in 2019.

Globalisation has picked back up with countries emerging from the covid pandemic’s economic shock. In 2021 across the EU almost 3 million (2,952,300) first residence permits were issued to non-EU citizens, estimates Eurostat. That number went up by 31% compared to 2020, reaching pre-crisis levels recorded in 2019 (2,955,300). 

In Luxembourg, however, the number of third country nationals registering for the first time has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. While there has been an upward trajectory since the drop to 5,706 registrations in 2020, the grand duchy is still some way off with 7,074 non-EU arrivals in 2021. Pre-pandemic levels in 2019 stood at 8,428 first residence permits for third country nationals.

First residence permits were granted the most to nationals of India (893), Brazil (383), Syria (378), China--including Hong Kong--(374) and Eritrea (329).

Most non-EU arrivals cited family reasons (3,628) for their arrival, 1,918 came for work and 546--for education and 984 specified another motivation behind their decision. In the EU family reasons accounted for 24% while in Luxembourg that portion was equal to 53%. The number of non-EU nationals taking up education are similar, 12% for the EU average and 15% for Luxembourg.

Regarding , Luxembourg is one of the top countries in the EU, handing out 944 residency permits for reasons related to family formation and reunification in 2020. The grand duchy was among the highest in terms of population alongside Sweden--where 1,136 per 100,000 inhabitants under 15 were recipients--Slovenia (1,109) and Portugal (893). But Germany handed out a total of 44,400 of the 211,000 permits issued to non-EU children in Europe over the last year. Spain (43,400) and Italy (31,500) completed the podium in terms of total first permit recipients coming to reunite with their family.