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Permanent residence after a 5-year stay in the Netherlands

You wish to continue to live permanently in the Netherlands. You can apply for a permanent residence permit.

​Other rules apply for the following categories:

Long-term resident EC

When you apply for a permanent residence permit in the Netherlands, the IND automatically checks if you can also get the residence permit as long-term resident EC. If you already have a permanent residence permit, you can also still apply for a residence permit as long-term resident EC.

Having a residence permit as a long-term resident EC allows you to apply more easily for a residence permit in one of the other EU countries that also have this residence permit. You do have to meet the conditions which that country has for the residence permit.

This page only gives information on the conditions for the permanent residence permit. You can find the conditions for the residence permit long-term resident EC on this page.

Conditions

There are certain conditions that apply to everyone. In addition, you must meet the following conditions for the permanent residence permit:

  • You have been living in the Netherlands for 5 years or more with a valid residence permit. Unless you fall under an exempt category. The IND looks at the 5 years immediately before you submitted the application. Only the years from the moment you turned 8 years of age count towards the application for a permanent residence permit. In other words, you cannot get a permanent residence permit until the moment you turn 13 and you have lived in the Netherlands since you were 8 years old with a valid residence permit.
  • You have had an uninterrupted 5-year stay in the Netherlands before submitting the application. This means that in those 5 years you have not stayed outside the Netherlands for 6 or more consecutive months, or 3 years in a row for 4 or more consecutive months.
  • You have a valid residence permit the moment you submit the application. This has to be a residence permit for a non-temporary purpose. 
  • You are registered in the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) in your place of residence (municipality). You do not have to show this. The IND checks if you meet this condition.

  • You have an independent sufficient and sustainable income.

  • You have a civic integration diploma. This shows that you read, write, speak and understand sufficient Dutch. In some cases you do not have to take the civic integration examination. 

Costs

This application costs € 171.

Children under 18 pay € 57.

Apply online

You can submit this application online. For the online application you need:

Do you not have DigiD yet? Apply for DigiD on www.digid.nl. Do have DigiD, but not have identity check with sms yet? Activate this through MijnDigiD.

Help with logging in with DigiD + sms and DigiD app

  • Information on DigiD + sms: go to explanation on DigiD for more information in different language (Dutch, English, French and Arabic).

  • Information on DigiD app: go to explanation DigiD app for more information (Dutch and English).

You can start the online application by clicking the button Apply online.

Apply online

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application.

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

 

Steps in the application process

1. Submit application and payment

​You apply for the residence permit to the IND yourself. Use the application form. You can find the form at the bottom of this page. You send the application form together with the required documents to the IND by post. After the application has been received, the IND sends a letter stating how the fees are to be paid.

You have to submit the application when your temporary residence permit is still valid. You can do this 3 months before your residence permit expires.

Have you been continuously in the Netherlands for more than 5 years with a valid residence permit? Do you meet the conditions for a permanent residence permit? Then you can submit an application at any time. You do not have to wait until your current residence permit expires.

2. Receipt and check application

After your application has been received, the IND sends you a confirmation letter. The confirmation letter indicates the date on which the IND received your application. It also states the period within which the IND has to assess your application. This is the called the decision period.

Once you have received the confirmation letter, you can provide your biometric information at an IND desk. Please make an appointment online.

The IND will first check to see if your application is complete and that you have paid the fees. Are any documents missing, or is something incorrect? If so, the IND will send you a letter with a request to rectify the omission. This letter lists the documents that still need to be sent. Send the documents requested to the IND before the date specified.

3. Decision

​The IND checks to see whether you meet all the conditions. The IND has to make a decision within a period of 6 months.

  1. The IND will first check if you meet the conditions for a residence permit as long-term resident EC (type V).
  2. If this is not the case, the IND will automatically check if you meet the conditions for a permanent residence permit (type II). You do not have to submit a separate application for this.
  3. If this is not the case, the IND will automatically check if you meet the conditions to extend your current residence permit. You do not have to submit a separate application for an extension.

You will receive a decision on your application following this assessment.

  • Negative decision
    If you do not meet the conditions of all 3 options listed above, you will not get a residence permit. This decision is given in the formal decision. You can apply for a review of this decision.

  • Positive decision
    If you meet all the conditions, you will get a residence permit (as long-term resident EC, permanent stay or for an extension). The IND will send you a letter to inform you when you can collect the residence permit.

Application forms and costs

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​Use this form for an application for a permanent residence permit or a residence permit for long-term resident EC.

Checklist documents

The application form lists the documents that you have to enclose with the application. 

You have to have official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

How to send documents to the IND:

  • You only send copies of your documents, single-sided and on A4 paper.
  • The copies must be complete and legible.
  • Write down your V-number or client number on each copy. If you do not know these numbers, then please write your name and date of birth on each copy.
  • Do not send USB sticks, CDs or DVDs.
  • You keep the original documents yourself. You have to show these documents to the Dutch representation abroad.

Costs application

This application costs € 171.

  • Children under 18 pay € 57.

The residence permit long term resident EC costs € 171.

  • Children under 18 pay € 57.

Do you have the Turkish nationality? Your application costs € 57.

  • Do you have the Turkish nationality and are you under 18? Your application costs € 30.

Download  

After the application

Collect your residence permit

​The IND aims to have your residence permit ready within 2 weeks after the decision. The IND will send you a letter to inform you when you can collect the residence permit. For this, you have to make an appointment online at the IND desk stated in the letter. Keep in mind that it is not always possible to visit an IND desk at short notice. Therefore, please schedule an appointment in time, but at least within 4 months after having received the letter.

Check to see if the information on the residence permit is correct while you are still at the IND desk. If something is incorrect, inform the IND staff member at once.

A permanent residence permit grants permanent right of residence. This means that you can stay in the Netherlands permanently, also when you residence document expires. The residence document is always issued for 5 years and can be renewed every 5 years.

Rights and obligations

​Work

The back of your residence permit shows if you are allowed to work. A permanent residence permit (type II or V) allows you to freely work in the Netherlands. Your employer does not have to have a work permit for you. Your residence permit states 'arbeid vrij toegestaan, TWV niet vereist' (work freely permitted, no TWV required).

Is your residence document expired? You can still work freely in the Netherlands. When organisations ask for a prove of legal residence you can ask the IND Desk to issue an article 9 letter. Please make an appointment. You should have applied for renewal of your residence document.

Rights almost equal to Dutch citizens

Having a permanent residence permit means you nearly have all the same rights as someone with Dutch nationality. The main differences are that you are not allowed to vote in national elections and you are not allowed to work in specific (Government) fields (such as the police, the army). For this, you first have to apply for Dutch nationality.

Legal obligations

There are a number of legal obligations you have to meet.

Further applications

​Replacement of residence permit

Is your residence permit damaged, lost or stolen? In that case, have the residence permit replaced.

Renew permanent residence permit

A residence document for permanent stay is always issued for 5 years. When it expires, you can apply for a renewal.

Becoming a Dutch citizen

After having had a residence permit for 5 years, you may apply for Dutch citizenship.

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DigiD with SMS code

​To apply for a residence permit online you need to have a DigiD with SMS code. After logging in with your DigiD you will receive an SMS with a code. You will have to fill out this code as well to get access to the online application forms.

Do you have a DigiD but no SMS code verification? Please go to Mijn DigiD and log in. Choose 'Extra sms-controle aanvragen' and enter your mobile phone number. Within 5 days you receive a letter with an activation code. Activate the sms control functionality on the website of DigiD with this activation code.

formal decision

​A formal letter with the decision on your application.

TWV

​A TWV is a work permit. The employer applies for a TWV with UWV (Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency). UWV examines among other things if there is no employee with the Dutch, EU/EEA or Swiss nationality that is qualified for the job.