Permanent EU residence document — Union citizen or family member

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.

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

You have been living in the Netherlands continuously for 5 or more years at the time of application. During that time, you worked or you had enough money to live on. As a family member or ex-partner, you have met the requirements for residency Union citizens for 5 years.

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 have lived in the Netherlands for over 2 years and were working until you became unable to work.

You have been living in the Netherlands continuously for 5 or more years at the time of application. During that time, you worked or you had enough money to live on. As a family member or ex-partner, you have met the requirements for residency Union citizens for 5 years.

You cannot apply for permanent residency if you have a residence permit for residency with a minor Dutch Child (Chavez). You can however apply for a permanent residence permit, or for a residence permit for long-term EU residents. Go to the page Permanent residence permit for more information about both residence permits.

You are outside the Netherlands for more than 6 months out of a period of 12 months (we add up separate periods). And you do not have an important reason for this absence from the Netherlands.

You have an important reason for your absence from the Netherlands or you are assigned to work abroad temporarily. But you are outside the Netherlands for more than 12 continuous months. Important reasons are for example: pregnancy, childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training.

Are you staying outside the Netherlands for military obligations? In that case, the IND does not assume that you have moved your main residency.

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 can submit this application online or in writing by post.

Application for a Permanent Residence Document for Nationals of the Union and their Family Members 8004

The application costs € 85,00. Are you under 18? Then, the application costs a different amount. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: application costs.

The IND must take a decision within 90 days. This is called the decision period.

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.

You are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen. Or you are the family member of an EU, EER or Swiss citizen. You have a permanent right of residence in the Netherlands under EU-rules. Have you been deregistered from the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP) and are you staying outside the Netherlands? This usually has no consequences for your right of residence. The IND only assumes that you have moved your permanent residency if you have been outside the Netherlands for more than 2 continuous years. Then you have lost your right of residence.