The EU hands out thousands of Blue Cards to highly-skilled third country nationals each year, according to the latest figures. But which nationalities receive the most and which EU country gives out the most?
The European Commission has announced it will look into allowing certain non-EU professionals to stay in the EU beyond the current 90/180-day rule, as part of a future overhaul of its visa system. It also asked EU countries to make visa access "simpler and faster" for skilled workers.
The European Union on Thursday laid out plans to overhaul its visa system and step up deportations as part of a five-year migration strategy that cements a hardening line on the hot-button issue.
Austria issued 2,753 residency bans in 2025, according to new official statistics. Most cases involved men, with EU citizens also among those affected.
Younger voters across Europe are increasingly tempted by hard-right and anti-migrant parties, but experts say this can't be explained by anti-immigration politics alone.
From pay transparency and immigration rules to climate and justice reforms, there will be plenty of new legislation in Austria in 2026 that will affect your daily life.
From Red-White-Red Card changes to stricter citizenship standards and new integration duties, Austria’s 2026 plans point to a tougher and more structured system for newcomers.
After the European Union significantly tightened its immigration policy earlier this month, 19 EU countries on Wednesday urged the European Commission to finance "return hubs" outside the bloc for failed asylum-seekers.
EU countries on Monday backed a significant tightening of Europe's immigration policy, including endorsing the concept of setting up "return hubs" outside the 27-nation bloc for failed asylum-seekers.
Residency and citizenship crackdowns, repatriation grants, caps on foreign population, elections and all amid an expected and continued rise in the polls for the right... how will immigration trends change around Europe in 2026?
A US Senator has introduced a bill that aims to eliminate the possibility of dual citizenship for American citizens. If passed the bill would affect those planning to naturalise in European countries as well as those who already have.
Austria has registered its lowest monthly asylum figures since 2020, with applications down sharply and family reunification almost at a standstill. What’s driving the decline?
After the UK government recently unveiled immigration plans inspired by another centre-left government in Copenhagen, The Local looks to Spain and considers how the hardline Danish model isn't the only way to respond to Europe's surge in anti-immigration sentiment.
European affairs ministers gave the go ahead this week to new rules that will make it easier to suspend the right to visa-free travel for non-EU countries under certain circumstances.
The rise of anti-immigration parties in Europe shows that the far-right doesn't have to be in power to push its agenda and influence policy making. The Local's Conor Faulkner takes a look around the far-right parties shaping debate across the continent and looks at which party is the most extremist.
Whether it's residency requirements or the rules around gaining citizenship, the drift towards the right in many countries in Europe is affecting all foreign residents and creating a hostile environment, experts say.
Even as governments across Europe toughen immigration policies some states are better than others when it comes to integrating new arrivals, according to a new study.
The Local surveyed citizenship authorities in Vienna and Graz to find out how long the naturalisation process really takes in 2025 - and why waiting times vary so much.
Vienna’s immigration office MA35 has lifted district-based booking rules, allowing international residents to apply or renew their permits at any branch.
European countries countries issued some 3.57 million first time residency permits to non-EU nationals in 2024, 315,000 fewer than in 2023. How can the drop be explained?
Austria is launching talks on a nationwide revamp of social assistance that would link financial support to integration. As one NEOS leader put it, “anyone who refuses to work, learn German or integrate will feel harsh consequences.”
Migration is down but the political pressure is not going away: despite a sharp decline in irregular arrivals and asylum requests, European countries are ploughing ahead with an unprecedented clampdown.
