Permanent residence — (ex-)privileged person or family member

Are you a (ex-)privileged person in the Netherlands? Or are you a family member of a (ex-)privileged person in the Netherlands? And do you want to live permanently in the Netherlands? You need a permanent residence permit. Find out what the requirements are and how you can apply for the residence permit.

A privileged person is someone who has a special privileged status as a diplomat, consular employee or international organisation.

Directly before the application you have lived in the Netherlands for 10 years or more with a privileged status. Did you work for an international organisation? In that case you can add periods in which you have had a Dutch residence permit to the 10 years.

You are 18 or older at the time of the application for the residence permit. If you are under 18, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit.

You have lived in the Netherlands for at least 10 years with a privileged status. Did your family member with the privileged status work for an international organisation? In that case you can add periods in which you have had a Dutch residence permit to the 10 years.

Is the international organisation where you work allowed to exist no longer than 10 years? And have you lived in the Netherlands for 5 continuous years as an employee of this organisation? Then you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

You are or were employed at a foreign diplomatic or consular post. You were a member of the administrative, technical or support staff.

You are or were employed at an international organisation.

You are or were a senior management member, including the head, of an international organisation.

Directly before the application you have lived in the Netherlands for 10 years or more with a privileged status. Did you work for an international organisation? In that case you can add periods in which you have had a Dutch residence permit to the 10 years.

You meet the income requirements.

You do not pose a threat to public order and national security.

You are registered in the Personal Records Database (BRP) of your city or town (in Dutch: gemeente).

You passed the civic integration exam or you do not have to take the civic integration exam. Find out more on the page Civic integration for more secure residence permit and naturalisation.

You are 18 or older at the time of the application for the residence permit. If you are under 18, you need to apply for a temporary residence permit.

You submit the application in writing by post.

Aanvraag verblijfsvergunning EU langdurig ingezetene of een verblijfsvergunning regulier voor onbepaalde tijd 6009

The application costs € 254,00. Are you under 18? Then a different amount applies. For all fees and exceptions, visit our web page Fees: application costs.

You may await the processing of your application in the Netherlands. The IND must take a decision within 6 months. This is called the decision period.

A permanent residence permit is always issued for 5 years. When it expires, you can apply for renewal. Visit the web page Renew permanent residence permit

With a residence permit for an 'EU long-term resident' or 'permanent residence permit' you have almost the same rights as someone with Dutch nationality. The difference is that you are not allowed to vote in national elections. And that you are not allowed to work in certain special government sectors. For example for the police or the army. In order to do so, you must first apply for Dutch nationality.