EU – Baltic States, Internet, Legislation, Technology

Today, the European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, launched  the 'EU Immigration Portal', a website with hands-on information for foreign  nationals interested in moving to the EU. The site, ec.europa.eu/immigration, is also  directed at migrants who are already here and would like to move from one  Member State to another. It provides specific information for each category of  migrants about migration procedures in all 27 Member States.

Commissioner Malmström said: "Many people who want to move to the European  Union do not know what possibilities exist, how to apply for a resident permit or the  risks related to irregular migration. And migrants who are already in the EU are notalways aware of their rights. We need to provide solid, easily accessible information about these sometimes complicated procedures."

Background

The EU Immigration Portal is a first point of entry for up-to-date, practical  information on EU and national immigration procedures and policies. Workers,  researchers, students and those looking to join their families already in the EU can  find information adapted to their needs, about the Member State they are interested  in moving to. The Portal also links directly to the websites of national authorities  dealing with immigration. Users can also find straightforward information about their  rights and whether they need a visa to come to the EU.

The EU Immigration Portal explains how to enter EU borders legally and describes  the risks related to irregular migration, such as trafficking and smuggling. Migrants  and potential migrants will also find a vast contact directory of governmental and  non-governmental organisations which can help them. Moreover, migrants' support  organisations, as well as immigration authorities, employment services and scholars, can also make use of the in-depth information accessible through the  website.

The EU Immigration Portal is available in English and French at http://ec.europa.eu/immigration/

Arabic and Spanish versions of the site are underway, as are improvements to make it more accessible from different technical platforms.

In the development of the EU Immigration portal, the Commission carried out abroad consultation process, including organisations supporting migrants, tradeunions,  employers' associations and faith-based groups from the countries of origin, transit and destination. These consultations have taken place in Belgium, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Spain and Mali.

20.1 million people in the EU are citizens of third countries, representing around 4% of the total EU population.

In 2010, EU Member States and the countries participating in the Schengen cooperation issued over 11 million visas.

The estimated number of people trafficked to or within the EU amounts to several hundred thousand every year.