Best Permanent Residency Lawyers in Ommen

About Permanent Residency Law in Ommen, Netherlands

Permanent residency in the Netherlands allows non Dutch nationals to live and work in the country without time limits. The rules are national, so the same law applies in Ommen as anywhere else in the Netherlands. Applications are processed by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, known as IND. Your municipality in Ommen plays a supporting role by keeping your registration in the Personal Records Database and issuing extracts that help prove your residence history.

There are two main routes to permanent residence. The Dutch national permanent residence permit and the EU long term resident permit. Both usually require at least five years of continuous lawful stay with a residence permit for a non temporary purpose, a passed civic integration requirement, no serious criminal record, and proper registration and health insurance. Family members of Dutch or EU citizens, workers, self employed people, and recognized refugees can qualify if they meet the criteria. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens do not need a Dutch residence permit, but after five years they can request a document confirming permanent residence under EU law.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

You may need a lawyer if your residence history is complex, such as periods with different residence purposes, study years, or gaps in insurance or BRP registration. A lawyer can assess whether your years count toward the five year requirement and how absences from the Netherlands affect continuity.

Legal help is useful if you are unsure whether you meet the civic integration requirement or you need an exemption or dispensation. It is also important if you have a past criminal fine or conviction that may trigger a public order refusal, or if you rely on social assistance benefits that could affect eligibility for the EU long term resident status.

Applicants often seek advice when switching from temporary to non temporary purposes, when their income or sponsor situation changed, or when the IND asks for additional documents. If your application is refused, a lawyer can prepare an objection within the strict deadline and represent you in court if needed.

Local Laws Overview

Key national rules relevant in Ommen include the Aliens Act 2000 and related regulations, and the Civic Integration Act. In practice, for permanent residence you generally must show five years of continuous lawful residence in the Netherlands immediately before applying, based on a non temporary purpose such as work, highly skilled migrant, family reunification, or asylum. Time spent with a temporary purpose, such as study or exchange, does not count. You must still meet the conditions of your current residence permit on the date you apply.

Continuity of residence means your stays abroad must be limited. For the Dutch national permanent permit, during the five year period you should not have been outside the Netherlands for six months or longer in a row, nor for more than four months in total in any one year. For the EU long term resident permit, in the five year period you should not have been outside the Netherlands for more than six consecutive months and not longer than ten months in total. Short trips for holidays or work usually do not break continuity, but you should keep evidence of your travel and residence.

Civic integration is required unless you are exempt. Most applicants must pass the integration exam, which tests Dutch language and knowledge of Dutch society. The required level is usually A2, though policy can change, and some groups follow newer integration tracks. Exemptions may apply for certain diplomas, age, or medical reasons. You must also be registered in the BRP at your address in Ommen and have Dutch health insurance.

Public order and security checks are part of the assessment. Serious crimes or unpaid substantial fines may lead to refusal. For the EU long term resident permit, IND also assesses whether you have stable and regular means of subsistence without reliance on social assistance. Fees apply and change annually. The statutory decision period is typically up to 90 days from a complete application. Biometrics are required and you collect your residence card at an IND desk. Ommen residents usually travel to the nearest IND desk as instructed by IND.

After approval, your residence card is issued for five years and can be renewed by replacing the card before it expires. Rights include free access to the Dutch labor market and no need for a work permit. You can lose the Dutch national permanent permit if you reside outside the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of six years, or the EU long term resident status if you reside outside the EU for 12 consecutive months. Fraud, serious crime, or no longer meeting conditions can also lead to withdrawal.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the Dutch permanent residence permit and the EU long term resident permit

Both grant long term stay and work rights. The Dutch permit is a national status tied to the Netherlands. The EU long term resident status is an EU wide status that can make it easier to move to other EU countries under certain conditions. The EU status includes an assessment of stable and regular income and has different rules on loss after long absence from the EU.

Do my five years start when I first registered in Ommen or when I received my residence permit

Your five years start when you began lawful residence in the Netherlands with a valid residence permit for a non temporary purpose. BRP registration in Ommen is important evidence, but the legal start date is linked to your residence permit, not only municipal registration.

Can time spent as a student count toward permanent residence

Time with a temporary purpose such as study or exchange generally does not count toward the five year requirement for either the Dutch permanent permit or the EU long term resident permit. If you later switched to a non temporary purpose, the counting usually starts from that switch date.

How much time can I spend abroad without breaking continuous residence

For the Dutch national permanent permit, during each relevant year you should not be abroad for six months or more in a row, nor for more than four months in total in that year. For the EU long term resident permit, during the five years you should not be abroad for more than six months consecutively and not longer than ten months in total. Keep travel records to prove compliance.

What language level do I need for the civic integration requirement

Most applicants must pass the civic integration exam, which typically assesses Dutch at around A2 level and knowledge of Dutch society. Some applicants are exempt based on age, education, or medical grounds. Requirements and available tracks can change, so confirm the current standard before applying.

Do I need to show income to get permanent residence

For the Dutch national permanent permit, you must still meet the conditions of your current residence purpose on the application date, which may include income if that was part of your existing permit. For the EU long term resident status, IND assesses stable and regular means of subsistence. Receiving social assistance can negatively affect eligibility, especially for the EU status.

How long does the application process take and where do I go if I live in Ommen

The statutory decision period is usually up to 90 days after IND receives a complete application. You will be invited for biometrics and later to collect your card at an IND desk. Residents of Ommen typically travel to an IND desk in the region as instructed by IND. Make sure your BRP registration and documents are up to date before you apply.

Will I lose permanent residence if I leave the Netherlands

If you hold the Dutch national permanent permit, you can lose it if you live outside the Netherlands for an uninterrupted period of six years. If you hold the EU long term resident status, you can lose it if you live outside the EU for 12 consecutive months. Other reasons for withdrawal include fraud or serious threats to public order.

Is permanent residence required before applying for Dutch citizenship

No. Permanent residence is not a prerequisite for naturalisation. Many people apply for citizenship after five years of lawful residence if they meet all conditions, even without first obtaining permanent residence. Some choose to obtain permanent residence as a stable alternative if they do not wish to or cannot naturalise yet.

Can my family members apply with me

Family members who have lived lawfully with you in the Netherlands can often apply for their own permanent permits if they independently meet the conditions, including duration of residence and integration. Each person must file a separate application and pay a separate fee. Children have more flexible rules in some situations and lower fees.

Additional Resources

Immigration and Naturalisation Service IND for application forms, fees, and decisions.

Municipality of Ommen BRP desk for registration, residence history extracts, and address updates.

Juridisch Loket for free preliminary legal information and referrals.

Raad voor Rechtsbijstand Legal Aid Board for information on subsidised legal assistance if you qualify.

VluchtelingenWerk Nederland Dutch Council for Refugees for guidance to recognized refugees and their families.

DUO Civic Integration for information about the integration obligation and exams.

Belastingdienst Tax Administration for income statements and proof of insurance contributions.

UWV Employee Insurance Agency for employment and benefit records when relevant.

Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten and migration law specialist networks to find qualified immigration lawyers.

Blik op Werk register of approved language and integration course providers.

Next Steps

Check your eligibility. Confirm that you have five years of continuous lawful residence in the Netherlands on a non temporary permit, within the absence limits, and that you still meet the conditions of your current residence purpose.

Complete your civic integration. If you still need to pass exams or obtain a diploma or exemption, plan this first, as your application will not be approved without meeting the requirement.

Gather documents. Prepare your valid passport, current residence permit, BRP extract showing your address history in Ommen, health insurance proof, integration diploma or exemption decision, and any documents IND may request such as income or employment evidence for the EU long term route.

Review timing and fees. Fees change each year and the decision period is usually up to 90 days. Ensure your current permit will remain valid while IND processes your application. If it will expire soon, seek advice on whether to extend or switch first.

Submit the application and attend biometrics. File your application with IND, pay the fee, respond to any requests for additional information, and attend your biometrics appointment. Keep copies of everything you submit.

Plan for collection and next steps. If approved, collect your card at the instructed IND desk. Set a reminder to renew the card before it expires. If you plan to live abroad for an extended period, seek advice first to avoid losing your status.

Get legal help if needed. If your situation is complex or you receive a negative decision, contact a migration lawyer promptly. You normally have only four weeks to file an objection against an IND decision, and missing deadlines can harm your case.

Maintain compliance. Keep your BRP registration in Ommen up to date, maintain Dutch health insurance, and keep records of travel, employment, and residence. This makes renewals or future applications, such as naturalisation, smoother and more predictable.