EU residence permits reach record high as Sweden and Denmark issue over 110,000

European countries issued a record 3.9 million new residence permits to non-EU citizens in 2025. This was a 10 percent increase compared to the previous year. According to Eurostat data reported by The Local, Sweden issued 61,196 first-time permits. Denmark granted 49,882 permits during the same period.

Work was the primary reason for new permits across the EU. Employment permits accounted for nearly 34 percent of the total, reaching 1.3 million. Family reunification made up 28 percent, while education represented 15 percent. Denmark was one of three EU nations where study was the top reason for granting residence.

Overall active residence permits in the EU reached 27.8 million. Spain and Germany granted the highest number of first-time permits overall. Indian citizens were the largest group receiving first permits in Sweden and the second largest in Denmark. US citizens were the top group in Denmark. Chinese citizens ranked among the top ten overall.