You're reading: In 2013 Ukrainians receive more EU residence permits than other foreigners

Brussels - In 2013, the EU member states issued 2.36 million of residence permits to people from third world countries, which was 12 percent more year-over-year.

According to Eurostat, the UK issued the largest number of residence permits – nearly 724,000; Poland placed second with nearly 274,000 permits issued; followed by Italy with 244,000 permits. In addition, in 2013, a considerable number of permits were issued by France (212,000), Germany (200,000) and Spain (196,000).

Eurostat noted that those six countries issued 78 percent of all the residence permits for third world countries’ citizens in 2013.

The largest number of permits was issued to Ukrainian citizens (237,000), the majority of whom came to work mainly to Poland. The second place went to the citizens of India (201,000), then to those from the U.S. (172,000), China (166,000), the Philippines (108,000) and Morocco (102,000).