Permanent residency

After five years of continuous legal residence in the Netherlands, a permanent residence permit may be requested. The main conditions are: passing the civic integration examination (unless an exception applies), the residence permit must have a non-temporary purpose at the moment of the application and there is sufficient long-term income.

There are several types of permanent residence permits. EU citizens can apply for an EU permanent residence card and non-EU nationals can apply for an European and a national permanent residence permit. Whether the non-EU citizen is eligible for a European or a national permanent residence permit depends on the type of residence permit(s) issued in the past and possible residence-gaps in between those residence permits. Erik Scheers has successfully contested the very restrictive gap-policy before at the Dutch Council of State (Raad van State). This High Court decided that the national gap-rules are in conflict with EU-law. After this decision, these rules were adjusted.

Dutch citizenship

After five years of continuous residency, you can also choose to acquire Dutch nationality or citizenship via naturalization. For certain categories, there are exceptions to the 5-year term, which can be adjusted to 3 or even 2 years. Important differences between naturalization and the permanent residence permit are the income requirement (doesn’t apply with naturalization) and the requirement that to obtain Dutch citizenship you normally (unless an exception applies) need to renounce your current nationality. In some situations it is also possible to acquire Dutch citizenship by option, for which no integration requirements applies.

Looking for an experienced permanent residence permit lawyer?

Scheers Advocacy informs you about the conditions and possible exceptions in your specific situation and can assist in preparing and submitting an application for permanent residency or obtaining Dutch citizenship. To have more information about the conditions, exceptions and possible guidance in your specific case, please contact Scheers Advocatuur.