In 2024, the European Union issued 3.5 million first residence permits to third-country nationals.

Omissions

• The MEP did not cite Eurostat as the source, though the figure is drawn directly from official Eurostat data.
• The exact figure according to Eurostat is approximately 3.48 million (derived from 2023's ~3.82 million minus the reported decline of ~315,700), which Eurostat itself rounds to 3.5 million in its official headline — the rounding is standard and does not distort the claim.
• The claim omits that this represents an 8.3% decrease compared to 2023, which could be relevant context for debates on migration trends.

Sources

• PrimaryEurostat Statistics Explained — Residence permits: statistics on first permits issued during the yearIn 2024, 3.5 million first residence permits were issued in the EU to non-EU citizens, an 8.3% decrease (-315 656) compared with 2023.
• PrimaryEurostat News — 3.5 million first residence permits in 2024In 2024, 3.5 million first residence permits were issued in the EU to non-EU citizens, an 8.3% decline (-315 700) compared with 2023.