Analysis: “Is A Criminal Conviction Sufficient for a Refusal of Long-Term Resident Status? – Joined Cases C-503/19 and C-592/19 UQ and SI v Subdelegación del Gobierno en Barcelona” by Niovi Vavoula

On 3 September 2020, the Court of Justice of the EU (CJEU) delivered its judgment in Joined Cases C-503/19 and C-592/19 concerning the interpretation of Directive 2003/109/EC on the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents, particularly its Article 6(1). The latter allows Member States to refuse to grant long-term resident status on public policy or public security grounds; in taking such a decision the following factors shall be taken into consideration: the severity or the type of offence, or the danger that emanates from the person concerned, the duration of residence and the existence of links with the country of residence.

Against this background, the cases were brought by two applicants for long-term res