COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/109/EC concerning the status of third-country nationals (TCNs) who are long-term residents was adopted on 25 November 2003. The Directive was approved in the context of the 1999 Tamper European Council Conclusions, which advocated further integration of TCNs within the European Union with rights and obligations comparable to those of EU citizens.
The subject matter of the Directive is twofold. First, it determines how a TCN residing regularly in the territory of a Member State can acquire long-term resident status. This status grants them more rights and security of residence. Secondly, it establishes the requirements to enjoy residence in a Member State other than the one that has already granted the long-term residence status.
Suggested citation: Diego Acosta, ‘Directive 2003/109 on Long-term Residence for Third-country Nationals: Possible Future Interpretation by the European Court of Justice’ in C. Murphy and P. Green (eds.), Law and Outsiders: Norms, Processes and ‘Othering’ in the 21st Century (Hart, Oxford, 2011) 143-166.
