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.

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
  • 1. Check requirements open minus
  • 2. Collect documents open minus
  • 2. Collect documents open minus
  • 3. Apply open minus
  • 4. Pay for the application open minus
  • 5. Wait for decision on application open minus
  • 6. Decision on application open minus
  • 7. Collect residence permit open minus

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

Written application forms

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

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.