While the directive’s rules governing migration of employed and self-employed people hardly differ from previous EU law, the migration and social-welfare rights of non-working EU citizens have been significantly extended. According to the directive, every EU citizen has the right to a residence permit for up to five years in any member state, followed by the right to permanent residence.
尽管该指令中有关从业人员和自由职业者迁移的规定和以前的欧盟法律大同小异，但无业的欧盟公民迁移和社会福利的权益则被显著地扩大了。根据该指令，每一位欧盟公民都有权在任何一个成员国获得长达五年的居留许可，并在此基础上获得永久居留权。原则上，甚至非活动移民届时也和普通国民一样，有权享受社会福利。