Netherlands Sets Age Rules for Children's Residency Permits

The Dutch government has outlined specific age requirements for children seeking a permanent residence permit in the Netherlands. A child must have held a valid residence permit from the age of 8, as the 5-year qualifying period for permanent residency only starts counting from that age.

Any time spent in the Netherlands before turning 8 does not contribute to this duration. Additionally, the child must be at least 13 years old at the time of application.

Both conditions must be satisfied simultaneously for the application to be valid. The government mandates that the child must have maintained their primary residence throughout the entire 5-year qualifying period without significant breaks.

Therefore, a child who first receives a residence permit at age 8 would be eligible to apply for permanent residence at age 13, having completed exactly 5 years of continuous residency.