Europe Immigration News

If you have money to spare and want to live in the European Union, there are now quite a few options open to you. The UK has had its Tier 1 (Investor) visa since 2008. Latvia launched its Immigrant Investor Visa in 2008. Portugal launched the so-called 'Golden Visa' in 2012. Now, Cyprus, Spain and Greece have joined them. All these countries issue temporary resident visas to people who invest in property or other investments within their country.

The EU's population rose by 1.1m in 2012 to 505.7m with 882,200 (80%) of this rise caused by net immigration according to Eurostat, the body responsible for collating statistics for the EU. Eurostat has just released population statistics for 2012.

Within the EU there was considerable variation in population growth levels. The population grew in 17 countries, mainly richer, western countries such as Germany, the UK and France. The UK's population grew by 400,000 over 2012 of which about 150,000 is attributed to immigration.

Leaders of EU countries have met in Brussels for a two-day summit. The summit was convened for leaders to discuss the digital economy and data security but leaders of southern and eastern EU countries also raised the issue of illegal immigration. This has become a matter of grave concern since the death of 364 migrants who drowned off the Italian island of Lampedusa on October 3rd 2013.

Refugees from the Syrian civil war are attempting to enter Europe in large numbers. The Bulgarian government has asked for assistance from the European Union. As of 17th September, there were over 4,000 people who have applied for refugee status in Bulgaria.

Thousands of people have landed on the Italian coast; hundreds landed on 14th September and nearly 2,000 arrived at various locations on the Italian coast in 24 hours on 25/26 September 2013.