The Netherlands counts only half of study time toward long-term EU residence

Start with your current permit and build a timeline

The Dutch immigration service, or IND, updated its application guide on 11 November. It covers people from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who already live in the Netherlands. It lists several eligible current permits, including a regular temporary permit with a non-temporary purpose. Earlier study residence counts for half its duration. Other periods under permits for temporary purposes generally do not count.

As an illustration, two years on a study permit contributes one year to the calculation. Three further years in an eligible category would make four counted years, even though five calendar years have passed. Write down the start and end dates, purpose and issuing country of each permit. Keep evidence of earlier permissions if the type on your current card does not show your complete history.

Apply the absence test for your route

For the ordinary Dutch route, the guide lists five consecutive qualifying years, with no absence from the Netherlands longer than six consecutive months and no more than ten months in total. Note both the longest trip and the total. Several trips can matter even where each one is shorter than six months.

The IND’s separate exceptions guide describes a route for some European Blue Card holders who have lived in several EU countries. It requires at least two consecutive years with a Dutch Blue Card and at least 12 consecutive months with a Blue Card in another EU country before that, within a qualifying five-year EU history. The guide also identifies eligible highly skilled work, research, asylum and half of study time for that history.

For that cross-country route the absence limits concern time outside the EU. The same guide separately describes a current Blue Card holder with five years in the Netherlands, where the limits concern time outside the Netherlands. Both examples use limits of 12 consecutive months and 18 months in total. Compare your itinerary with the geographic boundary for your route before counting trips.

Gather evidence of residence, income and integration

The IND’s paper form 6009 asks Blue Card applicants using qualifying residence across the EU for proof of lawful uninterrupted residence in the preceding five years. Its income appendix distinguishes between different income sources and sets out the supporting records. Review the appendix that matches your circumstances rather than sending only the current card. Confirm which evidence the IND needs for a disputed date or for a residence period in another country.

The application guide also requires civic integration, registration in the municipal population register and sufficient income. For people showing their own income, the IND’s table for July through December 2026 lists a monthly gross social insurance salary of €1,635.90 without holiday allowance or €1,766.77 with it. The table gives separate entries when a family member shows income. Check which July-to-December line applies or use the new table if filing in a later period.

Use the correct application and track the decision

Apply while your existing permit remains valid. The application guide distinguishes online filing with DigiD from paper applications and directs asylum permit holders to submit in writing. The IND’s decision-period page lists six months. Keep the receipt and any extension letter for the case. If the underlying residence document will expire while you wait, check your individual instructions before planning travel. If you file on paper, form 6009 says to wait for a letter that identifies the amount and explains how to pay.

The fee schedule lists €254 for a standard first application and €85 for an applicant under 18. Separate rates appear for Turkish citizens. Its five-year document renewal lines are distinct from the first application charge. The status itself is indefinite when granted, while the card is renewed. Check that you selected the initial long-term EU application if you are seeking the status for the first time.