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How to apply for permanent residence in 5 EU countries

2024-01-23 13:20:45Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

How to apply for permanent residence in 5 EU countries

From language tests to integration, this is what you need to apply for permanent residence across the EU. Once you've put down roots in a country, you can consider making it more permanent by applying for a permanent residence permit.

They often come with more benefits than other visa types, and if you've lived there for a few years, they may be necessary if you're hoping to grow those roots a little deeper. Some offer short-term routes to long-term residency through so-called "golden visas" through investment, but many of these routes are now being closed.

Although you can get long-term resident status in the EU if you have lived there legally for at least five years, most countries tend to issue a national permit rather than an EU-wide permit. And applying for this may mean additional checks. From language tests to integration requirements, here's what applying for a permanent residence permit looks like for five different members of the bloc.

How to apply for permanent residence in France

To apply for a permanent residence permit in France, you will need to have lived there for five years, and three years if you are the spouse or family member of a French citizen. This can be on a temporary French visa or as an EU/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) citizen.

You will also need to have integrated into French culture and have sufficient knowledge of the French language (level A2 as a minimum) although this does not apply if you are over 65. Applicants also cannot have criminal records or any outstanding criminal convictions.

If you are successful and meet the requirements, this will allow you to stay in the country indefinitely and use most public services. Permits are usually valid for 10 years, but you can renew your card as often as you need. A permanent residence card will cost you 225 euros, to be paid for using tax stamps which are only sold online.

What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship in France?

Both residence permit and citizenship mean that you have the right to study, get a job, buy a property, get a mortgage and set up your own business in France. You can also use welfare benefits and the health care system. And you have the freedom to leave and re-enter.

The main differences are that you can obtain a French passport as a citizen, vote in elections and leave France for unlimited periods of time. But for some, including those whose country does not allow them to hold dual citizenship, a residence permit may be a better choice.

How to apply for permanent residence in Germany

Germany also offers permanent residency if you have lived in the country for several years, starting with a time spent as a temporary resident. If you are not an EU/EFTA citizen, you must have had a residence permit for family reunification, study or work before applying. Usually, you will need to live in Germany for five years to qualify, but this may be shorter for some categories of residents such as graduates who have worked in a skilled job for two years, skilled workers , civil servants or family members of German citizens.

Also, similar to France, you will need to have integrated into German society (sometimes this means attending an integration course) and have language knowledge of at least A2 level. You will also need to be able to support yourself financially, have made pension contributions during your stay and live in accommodation suitable for you and your family.

And you can't have any major offenses on your criminal record. If you meet these criteria, you can apply for permanent residence at your local immigration office or Ausländerbehörde. It costs 113 euros as standard, 124 euros for quick self-employment and 147 euros for qualified professionals.

What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship in Germany?

As in France, there are some differences between permanent residence and citizenship in Germany. Both have full rights to work, study, start a business, access social security, buy a property or take out a mortgage and other types of finance. Residence rights last for an unlimited period and you can leave the country whenever you want.

But permanent residents cannot obtain a German passport, do not have the right to vote and have fewer citizenship rights for their children. They also cannot leave the country for more than six months. While qualifying for citizenship used to take eight years, the new legislation means you can qualify after five – or three in the case of "special integration achievements". It also eliminates restrictions on holding dual citizenship.

How to apply for permanent residence in Italy

Applying for permanent residence in Italy requires that you have lived in the country for the last five years. You cannot have left the country for a continuous period of more than six months or 10 months in total. There are some exceptions to this such as for military obligations, following work in other EU countries or retiring in Italy after living in the country for at least three years and working during the last 12 months.

You will also need proof of health insurance, a clean criminal record and have passed a language test showing you have at least A2 level of proficiency. Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have a minimum annual income that is more than welfare allowance and adequate housing. The application will cost you 176.46 euros; 100 euros for the application, 30.46 euros for the electronic card, 16.00 euros for the application stamp and 30.00 euros for the postal fee. Certain groups, such as minors, refugees and those receiving medical treatment are exempt from the fee.

What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship in Italy?

Like citizenship, an Italian permanent residence visa gives you the right to study, work, set up your own business or move to other EU member states for work or study reasons. You will also have access to Italian social security, public housing, social services, education and pension schemes. But you cannot leave the country for more than six consecutive years. Citizenship comes with additional benefits, including a passport, full voting rights and additional rights for children.

How to apply for permanent residence in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has four different types of permanent residence permits. One for EU/EFTA citizens and their family members, one for non-EU citizens, a long-term residence permit valid in all EU/EFTA countries and a permanent asylum residence permit. Permanent residency does not expire, but you will need to renew your permit every five to 10 years depending on the type you have.

In general, you will need to have lived in the country legally for five years before applying, although there are some exceptions. You must also be at least 13 years old, have had a main residence in the Netherlands, have renewed your previous visas on time and have a clean criminal record. If your current residence permit is for a fixed period, you cannot apply for a permanent permit either.

And, like some of the other countries on this list, you must have enough income to support yourself more than 1,207.50 euros salary per month without holiday pay. To apply you will need a citizen service number (BSN) and have passed the Dutch civic integration exam. For EU/EFTA citizens it will cost 69 euros and for all other permanent residence permits the fee is 207 euros. This is non-refundable, so if your application is rejected, you won't get your money back.

What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship in the Netherlands?

Both permanent residence and citizenship require you to have lived in the Netherlands for five years and passed the integration requirements. Both will get you rights to work, study, start a business, buy a property and get a mortgage. You also have access to Dutch social security and public healthcare and can leave whenever you want.

But citizenship gives you the added benefit of a passport, full voting rights, the ability to run for any public office, and the right to move abroad as long as you want. You also don't need to renew your citizenship every five years like you do with permanent residency. And citizenship also offers more rights to children born outside the Netherlands.

How to apply for permanent residence in Spain

Permanent residence in Spain allows you to stay in the country for five years. Your card can be renewed as often as you need. To qualify you will need to have lived legally in the country for five years with a Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NID) number. You will also need to prove that you have sufficient income or financial resources to support yourself and have valid health insurance. In some cases, you may also need divorce, marriage certificates or criminal records.

You must spend these five years in Spain on a different type of visa and this may mean applying several times as they are often only valid for two or three years. And student visas are only valid for 50 per cent of the total duration – two years for example count towards one year of your permanent stay.

A residential certificate from the Spanish police shows exactly how many years you have lived there, which can help you figure this out. Compared to some other EU countries, applying for permanent residence in Spain is quite cheap. The app itself only costs 80 euros although there may be some other fees that are usually less than 20 euros.

What is the difference between permanent residence and citizenship in Spain?

Permanent residence and citizenship offer almost exactly the same rights in Spain. But there are some differences. Citizenship will require you to live in the country for 10 years instead of five. And you need citizenship to vote in elections or access social services.


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