Residence Permits (Temporary, Permanent & EU Long-Term)

Secure Your Right to Stay and Build a Future in the Netherlands

We assist with all types of residence permits under Dutch law:

Temporary Residence Permits

For employment, study, family reunification, or asylum. We handle the full IND application process and advise on documentation and legal risks.

A temporary residence permit is granted for a specific purpose of stay and must be renewed before expiry to maintain lawful residence. Our lawyers ensure your application is accurate, timely, and fully compliant with IND conditions — preventing any residence gaps (“verblijfsgat”) that may affect your path toward permanent residency or citizenship.

Permanent Residence Permits

Available after five years of uninterrupted lawful residence, subject to civic integration (inburgering). We help clients navigate all conditions and avoid rejection risks.

A permanent residence permit provides long-term security and independence. Your right to stay in the Netherlands no longer depends on a specific residence purpose, and you are free on the labour market — no separate work permit is required.
A permanent permit can only be revoked in limited cases (such as permanent departure or serious criminal conviction). The residence card must be renewed every five years, but your residence right itself continues.

While permanent residence allows you to live and work freely, it is distinct from Dutch citizenship:

• As a permanent resident, you keep your original nationality.
• As a Dutch citizen, you gain the right to vote and obtain a Dutch passport — but often must renounce other nationalities.

EU Long-Term Residence Permit (Langdurig Ingezetene)

A Dutch national residence status under EU Directive 2003/109/EC, granted to non-EU nationals who have resided legally in the Netherlands for 5+ years.
The EU Long-Term Residence Permit provides extra benefits, including the right to apply more easily for residence in other EU countries.

Main conditions include:

• At least five years of lawful residence in the Netherlands with a valid, non-temporary residence permit;
• No absences longer than six consecutive months or ten months total during those five years;
• Proof of stable, sufficient income;
• Successful completion of the civic integration (inburgering) exam.

EU Blue Card holders may count residence periods from other EU Member States toward the five-year requirement, provided they have lived in the Netherlands for the last two years with a valid Blue Card.

National Permanent Residence (Non-EU)

If you do not meet the EU criteria, you may still qualify for a national permanent residence permit under Dutch law.

Requirements:

• Five consecutive years of residence in the Netherlands with valid residence permits (temporary or non-temporary);
• A valid residence permit with a non-temporary purpose at the time of application;
• Completion of the civic integration exam;
• Proof of long-term, stable income.

All consecutive residence permits are counted toward the five-year period, as long as there are no significant gaps in residence.