What is an EC residence permit?

If you reside within the territory of the European Union as a citizen of a third country – in other words, a country that is not a Member State of the European Union – you may be granted long-term resident status (EC residence permit). You may be issued with an EC residence permit after five years of continuous residence. Continuous residence does not include residence under a temporary residence permit (B permit) – issued on the basis of study or temporary employment, for example.

The EC residence permit will allow you to reside in another Member State for up to three months. To stay longer you must apply for a national residence permit from the other Member State.