Want to make the EU your home? Here’s how to get permanent residence in France, Spain and Germany.

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After putting down roots in a country, you may consider applying for a permanent residence permit to stay there longer term.

It often comes with more benefits than other types of visas, and if you’ve been living there for a few years, you might need it if you want your roots to go a little deeper. Some offer shortcuts to long-term stay through investment through so-called “golden visas”, but many of these routes are currently closed.

You can obtain long-term residence status if you have legally lived in the EU for at least five years, but most states tend to issue national permits rather than EU-wide permits. And applying for it may require additional checks.

From language tests to integration requirements, here’s how an application for a permanent residence permit works between the five different members of the bloc.

How to apply for permanent residence in France

To apply for a permanent residence permit in France, you must have lived in France for five years. In the case of a French spouse or family member, she must have been a resident for three years.This can be temporary French visa or as a national of the EU/European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

It also needs to be integrated into french culture Possess a good knowledge of French (minimum A2 level). However, this does not apply if he is over 65 years old. Applicants also cannot have a criminal history or pending convictions.

If you are successful and meet the requirements, you will be able to stay in the country indefinitely and have access to most public services. Permits are typically valid for 10 years, but cards can be renewed as many times as needed.

The permanent resident card costs 225 euros and is paid using tax stamps, which are only sold online.

What is the difference between French permanent residence and citizenship?

Both a residence permit and citizenship mean you have the right to study, work, buy property, take out a mortgage and set up your own business in France. Welfare and medical benefits are also available. And you have the freedom to withdraw and re-enter.

The main difference is french passport As a citizen, you can vote in elections and move out of France indefinitely.

For some people, a residence permit may be a better choice, such as those whose home country does not allow dual citizenship. However, France itself does not require those who acquire French nationality to renounce their original nationality.

How to apply for permanent residence in Germany

After a certain period of time as a temporary resident, Germany also offers permanent residence if you have lived in the country for a number of years.

If you are not an EU/EFTA national, you must have a residence permit for family reunion, study, or stay. work before applying. Generally, you need to live in Germany for five years to qualify, but this is shorter for some resident categories, such as graduates who have worked in a skilled job for two years, skilled workers, civil servants, and family members of German nationals. There may be cases.

Also, just like in France, you need to be integrated into German society (which may mean taking an integration course) and have at least A2 level knowledge. language. You also need to be able to support yourself financially, make pension contributions during your stay, and live in accommodation that is suitable for you and your family.

And you cannot list any serious crimes on your criminal record.

If you meet these criteria, you can apply for permanent residence at your local immigration office or at Ausländerbehörde. The standard fee is 113 euros, 124 euros for self-employed fast track and 147 euros for highly 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. Germany.

Both have full rights to work, study, start a business, access social security, buy real estate, and access mortgages and other types of finance. The right of residence is unlimited and you can leave the country as many times as you like.

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However, permanent residents cannot obtain German passports, have no right to vote, and have few citizenship rights for their children. Also, they cannot leave the country for more than six months.

Previously, it took eight years to qualify for citizenship, but the new law means it can now be done in five years or, in the case of “special integration outcomes”, three years. Restrictions on holding dual citizenship will also be removed, allowing more people to qualify.

How to apply for permanent residence in Italy

Apply for permanent residence Italy You must have lived in the country for the past five years. You cannot leave the country for more than 6 consecutive months or 10 months in total. There are several exemptions for this, such as compulsory military service, pursuing a job in another EU country, or retiring to Italy after having lived there for at least three years and worked for the past 12 months.

You will also need proof of health insurance, no criminal record, and proof of passing a national certification. language A test that demonstrates at least A2 level proficiency. Applicants must prove that they have a minimum annual income that exceeds the benefit allowance and adequate housing.

The application costs 176.46 euros. The application fee is 100 euros, the electronic card is 30.46 euros, the application stamp is 16.00 euros and the postage is 30.00 euros. Fees are waived for some groups, including minors, refugees, and people receiving medical treatment.

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

Similar to citizenship, an Italian permanent residence visa gives you the right to study, work, establish your own business, or move to another EU member state for work or study reasons. Italian social security, public housing, social services, education and pension systems are also available.

However, they cannot leave the country for more than six consecutive years. Citizenship comes with additional benefits such as a passport, full voting rights, and additional rights for children. Italy also has fairly relaxed rules regarding dual citizenship, and you do not have to renounce your other nationality to obtain dual citizenship.

How to apply for permanent residence in the Netherlands

Netherlands I have four types of permanent residence permits. One for her EU/EFTA nationals and their families and the other for non-EU nationals, a long-term residence permit and a permanent asylum permit valid in all her EU/EFTA countries.

Permanent residence permits do not expire, but you must renew your permit every 5 to 10 years, depending on the type you own.

Generally, you must have legally resided in the country for five years before applying, but there are some exceptions. You must also be at least 13 years old, have your primary residence in the Netherlands, and update your previous residence. visa On time and has a clean criminal record. If your current residence permit is for a limited period, you will also not be able to apply for a permanent residence permit.

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And like some of the other countries on this list, you need to earn enough to support yourself, i.e. a monthly salary of at least 1,207.50 euros without holiday pay. To apply, you must have a Civil Service Number (BSN) and pass the Dutch Civil Integration Examination.

It costs EUR 69 for EU/EFTA nationals and EUR 207 for all other permanent residence permits. 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?

To obtain both permanent residence and citizenship, you must have lived in the Netherlands for five years and passed the deadlines. Integration requirements. Both allow you to work, study, start a business, buy real estate, and get the right to a mortgage. You also have access to Dutch social security and public healthcare, and can retire as many times as you like.

However, citizenship gives you the additional benefits of a passport, full voting rights, the ability to run for any position in public office, and the right to move abroad for as long as you wish. There is also no need to renew citizenship every five years like with permanent residence.

And citizenship also provides more rights for children born outside the Netherlands.

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However, the Netherlands has some of the strictest rules in the EU regarding dual citizenship, which may need to be taken into account when weighing the differences. Generally, Dutch citizens cannot hold dual citizenship, with very limited exceptions.

How to apply for permanent residence in Spain

permanent residence of Spain You can stay in the country for 5 years. You can renew your card as many times as needed.

To be eligible, you must have a Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NID) number and have legally resided in the country for five years. You must also prove that you have sufficient income or financial resources to support yourself and have valid health insurance. In some cases, proof of divorce, marriage, or criminal history may be required.

You will need to spend these five years in Spain on a different type of visa, which is often only valid for two or three years, so you may need to apply multiple times. Also, student visas are only valid for 50% of the total period. For example, 2 years counts as his 1 year of permanent residence.

The Spanish Police Certificate of Residence will tell you exactly how many years you have lived there and will help you confirm this.

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Compared to some other EU countries, applying for permanent residence is Spain It’s quite cheap. The application itself costs just 80 euros, but there may be other fees, usually less than 20 euros.

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

Permanent residence and citizenship offer nearly identical rights. Spain. However, there are some differences. To obtain citizenship, you must live in the country for 10 years instead of 5.

Citizenship is required to vote in elections and access social services, but dual citizenship with Spain and most other countries is not possible.