The EC Directive on Long-term Residence may soon be transposed into German law. In the meantime, migrants are eligible for long-term residence permits after five years, which cannot include any time studying in Germany or awaiting a positive asylum decision. During a long and expensive procedure, applicants must meet conditions such as having a fairly high income, passing a high-level German language test and passing a basic test on German society. Germany scores third from the bottom on eligibility and conditions, similar to FR. Permits last a long time and are renewable, but they do not allow their holder to leave the country for more than a year. Long-term residence permit holders enjoy equal rights as Germans to healthcare and housing. Germany would reach best practice if the law secured migrants' equal rights to move, live and become long-term residents in other EU Member States.
