In 2018, about 3.2 million first residence permits were issued in the European Union (EU) to non-EU citizens. The number increased by 0.4% (or 13 000) compared with 2017, continuing the upward trend observed in each of the three previous years. Family reasons accounted for almost 28% of all first residence permits issued in the EU in 2018, employment reasons for 27%, education reasons for 20%, while other reasons, including international protection, accounted for 24%.