If you have been living and working in the Netherlands for a while, you might want to think about getting a permanent residence permit. Here’s what you need to know about permanent residence in the Netherlands.
What is a permanent residence permit?
A permanent residence permit (verblijfsvergunning onbepaalde tijd) - as the name suggests - gives you the right to remain indefinitely in the Netherlands. It gives you almost the same rights as a Dutch citizen - but not quite. As a permanent resident, you are not able to vote in Dutch national elections, and you cannot work in certain sectors such as the police or the army.
The benefits of permanent residence in the Netherlands
There are several benefits to having permanent residence in the Netherlands:
- Your residence permit has no end date. Your document is valid for five years and can be renewed every five years.
- You are free to work in any occupation, start a business or freelance without needing a work permit.
- You may find it easier to get a mortgage and buy a house in the Netherlands.
- You can leave and return to the Netherlands more easily (but you still cannot spend too much time abroad).
- Applying for permanent residence is cheaper and less complicated than applying for Dutch citizenship.
- You do not have to give up your citizenship in order to get permanent residence (Dutch citizenship law outlaws dual nationality in many cases).
Types of permanent residence permits
Although they are very similar, there are actually two types of permanent residence permits in the Netherlands:
Permanent residence permit
The permanent residence permit gives you the right to live and work in the Netherlands without restriction. It is available to anyone who has been living in the Netherlands for five years on a residence permit and fulfils other basic requirements. For some people, it is possible to get permanent residency after fewer than five years.
Long-term residence permit EC
The qualifying conditions for a long-term residence permit EC are very similar to those of the permanent residence permit - and, indeed, the Immigration & Naturalisation Service (IND) will check if you qualify for the EC residence permit automatically when you submit an application for permanent residence, on the basis that having one might be more favourable to you.
The main difference is that this type of residence permit also gives the holder freedom of movement (and easier applications for temporary residence) within all European Union member states.
Requirements for a permanent residence permit in the Netherlands
In order to apply for a permanent residence permit in the Netherlands, you must meet the following requirements:
- You have held a Dutch residence permit for at least five consecutive years (there are some exceptions - see below).
- You are aged 13 or over.
- You have had your main residence in the Netherlands for the whole five-year period.
- You have always extended your residence permit on time, and met the requirements for your residence permit.
- You currently have a valid residence permit for a non-temporary residence purpose (e.g. paid employment, self-employment, family member of a Dutch national, EU/EEA/Swiss national or person with non-temporary residence permit).
- You meet the IND’s income requirements.
- You are registered with your local municipality in the Personal Records Database.
- You have passed the civic integration exam at the A2 level at least (or have been exempted from the civic integration exam).
Exceptions to the five-year requirement
If you haven’t held a Dutch residence permit for five consecutive years, you may still qualify for permanent residence, if any of the following apply to you:
- You are an EU Blue Card Holder and have lived in the Netherlands for two years, and in a different EU country for the 12 months before that.
- You have an EU Blue Card and have lived in the Netherlands for at least five years with a valid residence permit, and in the past five years you have lived no more than 18 months (or 12 months consecutively) outside of the Netherlands.
- You previously lived in the European Union for at least five consecutive years with a valid residence permit (years spent studying count only for 50%).
How to apply for a permanent residence permit in the Netherlands
You submit your application for a permanent residence permit to the IND. You can submit your application online and by post. You will need an application form from the IND website, which also lists all of the documents you need to provide, including:
- Passport or valid ID
- Current residence permit or proof of your residency in the Netherlands
- Proof of income, for instance with bank statements or a work contract
- Proof of civic integration (if applicable)
Any foreign documents must be in either Dutch, English, French or German, or you must have them legalised and translated.
Note that your current residence permit must still be valid at the time of your application.
Once you have submitted your application, the IND has six months to make a decision. It may take longer if you submitted an incomplete application. The IND will also check if you fulfil the requirements to get long-term residence EC.
You will receive their decision in writing. If they approve your application, you will receive your permanent residence permit or residence permit for long-term EU residents. The IND will write to you to let you know that you can collect your residence permit. You need to make an appointment to pick it up. If they reject your application, you can launch an appeal.
Permanent residence permit costs
The cost of applying for a permanent residence permit in the Netherlands is 243 euros as of 2025 (81 euros for those aged under 18). You need to pay the full fee by iDEAL when you submit your application online. If you are submitting your application by post, you will receive a letter from the IND explaining how to pay the fee.
The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is rejected.
Renewing your permanent residence permit in the Netherlands
Although your permanent residence status does not expire (so long as you don’t break the conditions of your permit), your residence permit itself is only valid for five years and needs to be renewed. As you will need to show your residence permit if you leave the Netherlands for a short visit and come back, you should make sure your permanent residence permit is always valid.
The process of renewing it is largely a formality; you simply need to apply to the IND. It costs 76 euros (in 2024) to renew an adult permit, and 41 euros for children.
Permanent residence vs citizenship
Although having permanent residence in the Netherlands brings you a high level of stability, it is not quite the same as having Dutch citizenship. For instance, you cannot vote in national or provincial elections or get a Dutch passport. You are required to renew your residence permit every five years.
You also run the risk of having your residency revoked if you move abroad or spend too much time outside the Netherlands. If you spend more than six months abroad or spend more than four continuous months outside the Netherlands for three years in a row, then the IND might revoke your residence permit.
If you have lived in the Netherlands for five years or more, you might consider applying for Dutch citizenship instead.