Permanent residence: settled
The right of permanent residence given by Article 16 of Directive 2004/38 to EEA migrants and their family members who have ‘legally resided’ in another member state for five years is arguably the most striking feature of the way in which the Directive, in force since 30 April 2006, has strengthened European Union (EU) residence law. As with any new right, its exact scope has been argued in the courts. The transposition of the right into domestic law via the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 (SI No.1003) has caused added difficulties of interpretation in the UK.