Moroccans remain largest group of foreign EU residence permit holders

Moroccan citizens were the largest group of non-EU nationals holding valid residence permits in the European Union at the end of 2025, with about 2.2 million permits, according to Eurostat.

Turkish citizens ranked second with about 2 million permits, followed by Ukrainians with 1.7 million, according to the EU’s statistical office.

The total stock of valid residence permits held by non-EU citizens in the EU reached 27.8 million at the end of 2025, up 4.6% from the previous year.

Germany had the largest stock, with 5.9 million permits, followed by France with 4.4 million, and Spain and Italy with about 4.3 million each. Together, the four countries accounted for 68.1% of all valid permits.

Family reunification was the most common reason for residence permits, accounting for 32.4% of the total, followed by employment at 22.3%, international protection at 14.7% and education at 4.7%.

More than 92% of valid permits were issued for periods of at least 12 months.

Spain was the main destination for Moroccan citizens receiving new first residence permits in 2025, accounting for 43.8% of such permits, according to Eurostat. Moroccans also ranked among the top nationalities receiving first residence permits during the year, with 202,100 issued in 2025.

Eurostat’s residence-permit statistics cover non-EU citizens authorized to stay in an EU member state for at least three months and distinguish between first permits issued during the year and the stock of valid permits at year-end.

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