How to obtain permanent residence of the European Union
If you are a citizen of a European Union member state or a citizen of Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, you have the right to permanent residence in another EU country, providing you have lived there legally for five consecutive years.
This document is not mandatory, but it is very useful for conducting many administrative procedures without having to demonstrate that you have the required employment status or sufficient financial resources to reside in your chosen country.
Requirements
If you need a certificate that demonstrates your right to permanent residence in the European Union, you must prove your legal residence in the destination country and provide documentation such as:
- a rental contract for housing or property
- an employment contract or payslip
- tax returns or bank statements
- a certificate of studies
Once you present the documentation, together with the application form and the payment of the corresponding fees, you will be issued a certificate of permanent residence of the European Union.
This certificate is renewed automatically, but bear in mind that validity periods vary by country of issue.
Family members
Family members of legal residents of EU member states who are not citizens of any of the relevant countries can obtain a permanent residence card as a family member of an EU citizen. This, if they can demonstrate that they have legally resided in the chosen country for five consecutive years.
Bear in mind that in the case of a spouse, it is necessary to demonstrate that the relationship for which residence has been granted is maintained.
Family members residing with the EU citizen will have the right of permanent residence once the citizen has attained that right.
Remember that you can lose the right to permanent residence of the EU if you live outside the chosen country for a continuous period of two years or more.
Legal Notice: Since legal advice must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case, and laws are constantly changing, nothing on this article should be used as a substitute for the advice of competent legal counsel. The content on this article is offered only as information and does not constitute solicitation or provision of legal advice. You should always consult a suitably qualified lawyer regarding any specific legal problem or matter.
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