12/04/24 (Agence Europe) – On Friday 12 April, the Council of the European Union adopted the revision of the Single Permit Directive (see EUROPE 13370/29), which defines the procedure for obtaining a single permit to work and reside in the EU with a common set of rights for third-country workers. The revision provides for a shorter application procedure (90 days, extendable by 30 days) and authorises third-country workers to change employer after a minimum period. (A Member State will also be able to ‘test’ its labour market first). They will also be allowed to remain on the territory of the Member State in the event of loss of employment, if the total period of unemployment does not exceed three months during the period of validity of the single permit or six months after two years of validity of the permit. Finland and Hungary voted against. (SP)