European integration has had a significant impact on migratory movements in Western Europe. Immigration into the European Community has led to the creation of a number of political statuses within the Member States of the European Community. Each status carries with it a complex scheme of distribution of benefits and entitlements.

The benefits and entitlements connected to the status of citizen of the Union and the rights enjoyed by third country nationals prior to the entry into force of the Treaty of Amsterdam are the subject of analysis in this study.

The purpose of the study is to establish which steps will have to be taken to secure the position of long-term resident third country nationals within the institutional framework for visas, immigration, asylum and other policies related to free movement of persons that has been inserted into the Treaty establishing the European Community by the Treaty of Amsterdam.