European Council adopts directive on foreign students

The European Council has adopted a directive laying down the conditions under which people from outside the EU may come to study in an EU country. Students may be granted permission to stay for one year, or less than a year, if their course is shorter than 12 months. Students on courses lasting longer than a year will have to renew annually their permission to stay. Students given a residence permit for one member state may move to another member state to study, subject to certain conditions.

Students are allowed to perform paid work, but individual member states may limit this right if their labour market is tight. The student must have a valid travel document, plus proof of having been accepted by a higher-education institution, valid health insurance and the financial means to cover his or her needs. A state may require a student to demonstrate his or her proficiency in the language in which the classes are to be given. A student may be refused entry to a country if the state considers that he or she endangers national security or public health.

Each member state is free to decide whether to apply the directive to school children and volunteers.