Apply for a residence permit economically inactive long-term EU resident

​Contents

• Who can apply
  
• General conditions for a residence permit
  
• Conditions economically inactive long-term EU resident
  
• Documents you need
  
• Written application form
  
• Cost application
  
• Decision on your application
  
• Apply for review of the decision
  
• The IND decide late
  
• Validity residence permit
  
• Working in the Netherlands
  
• Legal obligations
  

Who can apply for a residence permit for an economically inactive long-term EU resident

You are a long-term EU resident in another EU country. That means you hold a long-term resident EU residence permit in another EU country. That is a European residence permit for an indefinite period. You want to move to the Netherlands to live, but will not be working. You will therefore be economically inactive in the Netherlands.

General conditions for a residence permit

There are some general conditions which apply to everyone who applies for a residence permit.

Conditions economically inactive long-term EU resident

The following conditions apply to the residence permit for an economically inactive long-term EU resident:

• You hold a long-term resident's EU residence permit from another EU country. Read here what description of a long-term EU resident needs to be included on your residence permit.
• You have a valid passport.
• You have a sufficient, sustainable income. What type of income you have is irrelevant, e.g. income from an inheritance, maintenance payments, property, employment abroad, a benefit or a pension. Read more about the income requirement.
• You do not pose a threat to public order or national security.

Documents you need

You need to submit documents to demonstrate that you fulfil the conditions. You need the following documents to apply for a residence permit for an economically inactive long-term EU resident:

• A copy of the page from your passport showing your personal details and the validity period.
• A copy of the front and back of your long-term resident's EU residence permit from the other EU country.
• Documents relating to your income, e.g. a letter indicating that you are receiving a benefit from the EU country that issued the long-term resident's EU residence permit, a payslip from an employer outside the Netherlands showing your salary, pension or early retirement benefit, or proof of income from your own assets.
• The 'Antecedents Certificate' appendix. That appendix is included with the application form. Complete the Antecedents Certificate in full and sign it.
  

Legalisation and translation of official foreign documents

Official foreign documents must be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French, or German. Find out more about legalisation and translation of official documents.

Written application form

You can only submit this application in writing.

1. Download the application form 'Application for a residence permit for a "long-term third country national from outside the EU" (foreign national)' - 7528.
2. Print out the form.
3. Fill in the form and the appendices.
4. Gather together the documents that you need. Never send original documents to the IND. Make clearly legible copies.
5. Put the application form, the appendices and the documents into a single envelope.
6. Send the application to the IND. The address is shown on the application form.

Cost of application

You will receive a letter to pay the cost of your application (fee). The letter will indicate the amount due and the bank account to which you need to transfer it. The IND will only assess your application once you have made the payment.

The costs of the application for a residence permit for an economically inactive long-term EU resident are € 192.

Decision on your application

The IND has 90 days to decide on your application for a residence permit for an economically inactive long-term EU resident. This period is called the decision period. It is specified by law. You will receive a letter stating the date by which the IND will decide on the application.

• Find out what happens before the IND decides on your application
  
• Find out more about decision periods for your application to the IND
  

Track your application in My IND

You can track your application in My IND. To do that, you need to log in using DigiD. Find out more about My IND and logging in.

Apply for review of the decision

Employers can apply for review of the decision within 4 weeks. The decision letter explains how to do this. Find out more about applying for review or appealing a decision from the IND.

The IND decides late

Has the decision period passed and you have still not received a decision on your application or review? Then the IND is late in deciding. Find out what you can do if the IND is late with its decision.

Validity of a residence permit for an economically inactive long-term EU resident

Your residence permit is valid for 5 years. After that period has expired you can extend your residence permit or apply for a permanent residence permit.

Working in the Netherlands as an economically inactive long-term EU resident

You will not be working straight away, but with this residence permit you are allowed to work freely in the Netherlands. Your employer will not require a separate work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) for you. The back of the residence permit states: 'arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist' (Free to work. No work permit required).

Legal obligations

You have to comply with a number of legal obligations. Find out which legal obligations you must comply with.

• Article 3.29a Aliens Act (Vreemdelingenwet 2000)
• B11 Alienst Act Implementation Guidelines (Vreemdelingencirculaire 2000)
  

• Living in the Netherlands with a residence permit 'long-term resident EU' from another country
• Positive decision on application for residence permit: what should I still do?
  

Contact us.