Moroccan Nationals Dominate EU Residence Permits
Recent statistics released by Eurostat reveal that Moroccan citizens rank as the largest group of foreign residents holding valid residence permits in the European Union, surpassing all other non-EU nationalities. By the end of last year, the count of Moroccans legally residing in EU member states had reached a remarkable 2.23 million, placing them ahead of Turkish and Ukrainian nationals, who follow in second and third place, respectively. This increase is notable when compared to previous years, as the number of Moroccan residents with EU permits has consistently risen from 2.02 million in 2021 to over 2.23 million by the close of 2026.
Germany emerges as the country with the highest number of non-EU residents, hosting nearly 6 million individuals, while France and Spain each accommodate around 4.4 million residents. Notably, family reunification remains a significant factor for non-EU nationals, accounting for 32% of all residence permits issued. Other reasons for residence include employment opportunities at 22.3%, asylum and subsidiary protection at 14.7%, and education at approximately 4.7%.
Spain: The Preferred Destination for Moroccans
Among EU countries, Spain stands out as the primary destination for Moroccan nationals, issuing more than 42% of all valid residence permits for Moroccans. In comparison, the issuance of permits to Algerians is predominantly handled by French authorities, with 81.8% of such permits granted in France, while Germany accounts for 68.7% of the permits held by Syrian nationals. These trends highlight the complex dynamics of migration and residency within the European Union, with Moroccan nationals leading the way as they continue to seek opportunities across Europe.
As reported by northafricapost.com.
