Permanent residence permit

Last update: 21 October 2024

You want to apply for a permanent residence permit. Find out what the requirements are and how you can apply for permanent residency.

Do you have an asylum residence permit? Visit the web page Permanent asylum residency. Are you an (ex-)privileged? Visit the web page Permanent residence permit for (ex-)privileged persons and their family members.

Requirements

These are the requirements for a permanent residence permit.

You meet the general requirements that apply to everyone.
You have had a valid Dutch residence permit for at least 5 consecutive years. There are exceptions to the 5-year period for permanent residency.
Only years from the age of 8 on count towards the 5-year period. Children can only apply for a permanent residence permit, if they are at least 13 years old and have had a valid residence permit from the age of 8.
You had your main residence in the Netherlands during the entire 5-year period.
You have always extended your residence permit in time.
You have always met the requirements for your residence permit. And you still meet those requirements.
You now have a valid residence permit for a non-temporary residence purpose.
During the application for the residence permit you have now, you did not give any false information. And you did not withheld information.
You meet the income requirements.
You are registered in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) at your local town hall. The BRP is the population register of the Netherlands.
You have passed the civic integration exam at at least level A2. Or you have been exempted from the civic integration exam. Read more about civic integration and a permanent residence permit.

Were you born in the Netherlands and are you now 18 years old? Or were you under 3 years old when you came to live in the Netherlands and have you always lived in the Netherlands since then? In that case, the IND can reject your application only if you are a danger to the public order or national security.

Residence permit as a long-term EU resident

Are you applying for a permanent residence permit? Then the IND will first check if you meet the requirements for the residence permit for a long-term EU resident. You do not have to do anything for this yourself.

With the residence permit for a long-term EU resident, it will be easier for you to apply for a residence permit in another EU country. You must, however, meet the requirements for this residence permit in the other EU country.

See the list of EU countries with a residence permit for long-term EU residents.

Process and costs

These are the steps for applying for the residence permit.

Show details Hide details

1. Check requirements open minus

A valid provisional residence permit (MVV) is needed for this application

Make sure you meet the requirements.
1. Check requirements open minus

Make sure you meet the requirements.
2. Collect documents open minus

The written application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply. You can upload the documents in the online application.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
2. Collect documents open minus

The written application form lists which documents you need. Collect all documents before you apply. You can upload the documents in the online application.
Have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
3. Apply open minus

You can submit the application online or in writing by post.

Your residence permit must still be valid when you apply. You can apply from 3 months before your current residence permit expires.

Have you already lived in the Netherlands with a residence permit for more than 5 years? Then you can choose when to apply yourself. You do not have to wait until your residence permit has almost expired.
4. Pay for the application open minus

The application costs € 228,00. Are you under 18? A different amount applies. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: application costs.
When you apply online, you pay the fee immediately with iDEAL internet banking. Are you submitting a written application? You will receive a letter which explains how you can pay.
5. Wait for decision on application open minus

You may await the processing of your application in the Netherlands. The IND must take a decision within 6 months. This is called the decision period.
We can extend the decision period if it takes longer to decide. For example, because the application is not complete. In that case, the IND will send a message.
Follow the application in My IND.
IND late with decision
Has the decision period passed and you still have not received a decision on your application? Find out what you can do if the IND is late deciding.
Working during the application
The back of your current residence document states whether you are allowed to work and whether you need a work permit (TWV). This is the employment status. Did you apply before the end date of your current permit? Then you will keep the employment status on your current residence document while your application is being processed. Even if your permit expires in the meantime and you have not yet received a new residence document.
6. Decision on application open minus
The IND first checks whether you meet the requirements of the residence permit for long-term EU residents.
If you do not meet those requirements or the requirements for a permanent residence permit either, we will see if we can extend your current residence permit.

The decision is in the form of a letter and is positive or negative. The decision is the result of a reassessment of your situation.
- Positive decision: you will receive a residence permit for long-term EU residents, a permanent residence permit or we will extend your current residence permit.
- Negative decision: you will not receive a residence permit. You can object against this decision.
7. Collect residence permit open minus

When the residence permit is ready at an IND desk, you will receive a letter. You must make an appointment to collect it. Make an appointment to collect the residence document.

Application forms

You can submit this application online. You must have DigiD with SMS verification and internet banking (iDEAL).

Online application form application regular permanent residence or EU-long term resident

Apply online

Written application forms

Download the form if you prefer to fill in the application in writing and send it by post.

This form is only available in Dutch:

Aanvraag verblijfsvergunning EU langdurig ingezetene of een verblijfsvergunning regulier voor onbepaalde tijd 6009 (PDF, 568.87 KB)

The residence permit

Find out what else you need to know about the residence permit.

Working with the residence permit

With a permanent residence permit you are free to work in the Netherlands. Your employer does not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). On the back of the residence permit it says ‘Free to work. Work permit not required (in Dutch: Arbeid vrij toegestaan. TWV niet vereist). TWV stands for tewerkstellingsvergunning which means work permit in Dutch.

Legal obligations

You have an obligation to provide information. This means that you must inform the IND of changes in your situation. Read more about your obligation to provide information on the page Obligations foreign national and sponsor of family member.

The IND checks whether you meet your obligations. If you do not, you may receive an administrative fine.

Validity of the residence permit

A permanent residence permit has no end date. The residence document is valid for 5 years and you can renew it every 5 years.

Other applications

Replacement of the residence permit

Has the residence permit been damaged, lost or stolen? Then have the residence permit replaced. Visit the web page Residence permit damaged or change details or Residence permit lost or stolen.

Renew residence permit

If it has almost expired you can renew the residence permit.