Malta granted more than 10,000 first-time residence permits to non-EU citizens last year, the highest in the EU when compared to its population.
Figures released by Eurostat, the European statistical agency, yesterday showed that Malta issued 24 permits per thousand inhabitants.
Libyans formed the largest group of foreign nationals granted a residence permit followed by Russians and Filipinos.
Nearly 2,000 Libyans, or 18 per cent of the total, were issued a residence permit, as well as close to 1,000 Russians and 700 Filipinos.
Libyans scored among the top three nationalities only in Malta, a reflection of the proximity of the two countries.
Eurostat reported that three quarters of residence permits for Malta were issued in almost equal numbers for family, education and employment reasons. A quarter of permits were issued for “other reasons” that included people granted international protection status.
Residence permits are authorisations valid for at least three months allowing non-EU nationals to stay legally on the territory of the member state. First-residence permits refer to authorisations issued to an individual for the first time.
The figures showed that 2.4 million first residence permits were issued in the EU last year to non-EU citizens, up by 12 per cent when compared to 2012.
A quarter of permits were issued for other reasons that included international protection status
In 2013, 28 per cent of permits were issued for family reasons, 20 per cent for education, 23 per cent for employment reasons and 29 per cent for other reasons. The highest number of residence permits was reported by the UK, making up almost a third of permits issued in the EU, followed by Poland, Italy, France, Germany and Spain.
Together, these six member states accounted for nearly 80 per cent of all residence permits issued in the 28-member bloc.
While the highest numbers of permits issued for family reasons were in Italy and Spain, the UK topped the chart for educational purposes.
Ukrainians, Indians and Americans were the three nationalities granted the most residence permits in the EU.