Permanent residency for Union citizens and their family

Last update: 3 October 2024

You or your family member want to apply for permanent residency for Union citizens. Find out what the requirements are and how you can apply for the residence document.

Requirements

These requirements apply to the residence permit for Union citizens.

You have the nationality of a country of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland. Or you have another nationality, but are a family member of a Union citizen. Or you are the family member of a Dutch national who comes under EU law. These family members come under EU law.
- Married, unmarried or registered partner.
- Parent or parent-in-law, grandparent, child, grandchild, or great-grandchild.
- Another family member, for example an uncle, aunt or cousin. In this case, one of these situations must apply to this family member.
  - The family member depends on you financially. Without money from you, your family member cannot pay for their basic needs. Basic needs are, for example, rent, food and drink. The family member is receiving money from you regularly, for example every month.
  - The family member needs care from you for serious health issues.
  - The family member depends on you and was already living with you in the country of origin.
You have a valid passport or other travel document.
You are registered in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) of the town hall in the area where you live.
You have been living legally in the Netherlands continuously for 5 or more years at the time of application. As a family member, you have met the requirements for residency Union citizens for 5 years.

Who cannot submit this application?

You cannot apply for permanent residency if you have a residence permit for residency with a minor Dutch Child (Chavez).

Are you a United Kingdom (UK) citizen? Or are you the family member of a UK national and you do not have EU, EEA or Swiss nationality? Then visit our web page Permanent residency Brexit.

Applying for permanent residency after less than 5 years of residency

Sometimes you can apply for permanent residency if you have been living in the Netherlands for less than 5 years. This is the case in these situations.

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You retired at pension age or earlier
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- You have been living in the Netherlands continuously for 3 years.
- You worked in the Netherlands in the final 12 months. You stopped working because you retired at pension age. Or you retired early.
You are permanently unable to work
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- You have lived in the Netherlands for over 2 years and were working until you became unable to work.
- You stopped working because you became permanently unable to work.
You are permanently unable to work because of an accident at work or work-related illness
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You stopped working because you had an accident at work. Or work-related illness has made you permanently unable to work. For this reason, you are receiving a benefit (WAO or WIA).
You are living in the Netherlands but are working as a frontier worker in another EU / EEA country or Switzerland
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Before you started working in the other country, you lived and worked continuously in the Netherlands for more than 3 years. You are still living in the Netherlands and return to your home in the Netherlands at least once a week.

Process and costs

These are the steps in the application process for the permanent residence document.

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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 this application online or in writing by post.
4. Pay for the application open minus

The application costs € 76,00. Are you under 18? Then, the application costs a different amount. 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? Then you will receive a letter which explains how you can pay.
3. Wait for decision on application open minus

The IND must take a decision within 90 days. 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.
What if the IND decides late
Has the decision period passed? And do you still not have a decision on your application? Find out what you can do if the IND is late with its decision.
5. Wait for decision on application open minus

The IND must take a decision within 90 days. 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.
What if the IND decides late
Has the decision period passed? And do you still not have a decision on your application? Find out what you can do if the IND is late with its decision.
6. Decision on application open minus
You will receive the decision in a letter. The decision will be positive or negative.
- Positive decision: you will get a residence document.
- Negative decision: you will not get a residence document. You can object to this decision.
7. Collect residence document open minus

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

Application forms

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

Online application form permanent residence EU (duurzaam verblijf)

Apply online

Written application forms

Download the form, print and complete it in writing if you prefer, and then send it to us by post.

Application for a Permanent Residence Document for Nationals of the Union and their Family Members 8004 (PDF, 257.38 KB)

The residence document

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

Working with the residence document

You are free to work in the Netherlands with a permanent residence document. Your employer does not need a work permit (in Dutch: tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV). The back of the residence document says in Dutch ‘Arbeid vrij toegestaan, TWV niet vereist’. (Free to work. Work permit not required.)

Legal obligations

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

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

Validity of residence document

Your residence document is valid for 10 years and you can renew it every 10 years. Are you under 18 years old? Then, your residence document is valid for 5 years and you can renew it every 5 years.

Type of residence document

The residence document is type EU/EEA, permanent residency Union citizens.

Other applications

Replacement of the residence document

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

Extension of residence document

Will your residence document expire soon? Then you can extend your residence document.