Long-term residency

After five continuous years of lawful residence in the Netherlands, you may apply for permanent residency. Permanent residency is divided into two categories:

An EU long-term residency permit based on EU legislation and a Dutch national law permanent residency permit

based on EU law, long-term residency

As a long-term resident of the EU, a residence permit enables you to apply more quickly for a long-term residence permit in another EU nation, although the requirements for the residence permit may vary depending on the nation.

The conditions apply in the Netherlands:

• You have a valid residence permit for a non-temporary purpose
• you have passed the civic integration exam
• you have enough long-term income if you have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years with a valid residence permit
• During the five years of residency, you haven’t spent more than six consecutive months or more than ten months overall outside of the Netherlands.

Permanent residency

You might be eligible for a national permanent residence visa if you don’t (yet) match the requirements for a long-term residency permit based on EU law.

The following criteria apply:

• You must have a valid residence visa and have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years before applying.
• You must also have completed the civic integration exam
• Have a suitable long-term source of income. Every year on January 1st, the standard amount is reviewed.

Difference between citizenship and permanent residence

Permanent residency and citizenship in the Netherlands share a lot of similarities. You must fulfill the five-year residency (less in some circumstances) and integration criteria for both.

Dutch citizenship has a longer and more expensive application process, although having more rights. Along with that, citizenship comes with extra requirements. For instance, you will typically have to renounce your current nationality in order to become a Dutch citizen.