What is EU longterm residency?

The EU Longterm Residence Permit is essentially a residence permit of indefinite duration. This permit is derived from EU Directive 2003/109. One key difference between the EU Longterm Residence Permit and a national permanent residence permit is that the latter is strictly based on national legislation.

Another difference is the additional rights provided under the EU Longterm Residency Permit. It allows the holder to reside, under certain conditions, in another EU member state. For instance, an EU longterm resident from another EU country can gain free access to the Dutch labor market (without requirements or permission from the UWV) after just one year of lawful residence in the Netherlands, a privilege that many other residence permits only grant after five years.

Conditions for EU Longterm Residency

To qualify for an EU Longterm Residence Permit, you must meet the following basic requirements:

  • You have lived continuously for at least five years in an EU country with a valid residence permit. Ergo you do not have any residence gaps in his or her five year stay. (More about the residence gap in this blogpost.)
  • You have stable and sufficient income. As of January 1st, 2025 this is €1.534,26 gross per month excluding holiday pay. Stable is having at least a one year contract at the time of application, or stable income from self employment.
  • You have health insurance.
  • You have passed the civic integration exam (unless you are exempt or relieved from this obligation).
  • You do not pose a threat to public order (no criminal history).
Benefits of EU Longterm Residency

One major advantage of the EU Longterm Residence Permit, aside from the indefinite duration, is that it does not impose conditions or restrictions. There are no income requirements or limited labor market access. Even if you were to apply for social assistance, it would not negatively affect your residence permit.

Individuals granted longterm resident status are also offered greater protection against deportation. Any behavior justifying expulsion must constitute a genuine and sufficiently serious threat to public order or public safety.

EU longterm residents from elsewhere in the EU

Persons with an EU longterm residency from issued by another EU member state do not have automatic residency in the Netherlands. This is a widespread misconception. Partially this is due to the somewhat misleading name of the permit which could imply an EU wide residency.

Third country nationals with an EU longterm residency from elsewhere in the EU only enjoy residency in that respective EU member state. However, this group does enjoy two benefits in the Netherlands.

The first is that they are eligible for residency as self employed under somewhat lenient conditions. Where most third country nationals seeking residency as a self employed entrepreneur are assessed by means of a rigorous point system, an EU longterm resident from elsewhere in the IND can admitted under this ground if he/she proves the income generated from the self employment will be sufficient for financial support.

The second benefit for this category is that if the EU longterm resident has worked in the Netherlands for one year on another legal ground, such as cross border services, the person will enjoy unrestricted labor market access. A benefit which is mainly earned only after five years of being permitted to work in the Netherlands.

If you have any questions about EU longterm residency, feel free to contact our office. You can reach us by phone at +31(0)20 223 2466 or via email at info@arslanlitadvocaten.nl. We’re happy to assist you! You can also reach us via our social media channels, which you’ll find at the bottom of this page.