Staying on · Long-term residence

Long-term residence,
make it permanent.

After years of legal residence, you can usually apply for long-term or permanent status. It gives you more security and freedom, and in most cases no more renewals tied to one job.

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Usual qualifying period
5 years’ legal residence
Card validity
At least 5 years, renewable
Main benefit
Stay and work with fewer conditions
Pricing
Quoted on request

Who it’s
for.

If one or more of these sounds like you, this route is worth a closer look.

  • Residents approaching 5 years in an EU country
  • EU Blue Card holders, who may qualify sooner in some countries
  • Families who want status that no longer depends on one permit

What you’ll
need.

The typical requirements. Your advisor builds your exact checklist during onboarding.

  • Proof of continuous legal residence
  • Stable and regular income
  • Health insurance
  • Language or integration test, in some countries
  • Proof of suitable housing

General guide only. Rules change and vary by country and personal situation. Your advisor confirms what applies to you.

How we handle
every step.

Four stages, one advisor, and an update from us at every step.

01
Plan

We confirm this is your best route, check eligibility and give you a timeline and costs.

02
Prepare

We build your document checklist, review every file and prepare your application.

03
Move

We file, book your appointments and track your status until approval.

04
Settle

On Sorted packages, we handle registration, tax number and bank account after you land.

Arrive to people,
not just a permit.

Rooftop dinners, coworking sessions, founder meetups, and curated apartments in every city we operate in. This is what relocation looks like with Europe Sorted.

Rooftop dinnersCoworking sessionsFounder meetupsCurated apartmentsCity orientationMember network
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Coworking sessionsWork alongside members
Founder meetupsYour new network
Curated apartmentsMove-in ready homes

Common
questions.

Do trips abroad break my residence?

Under EU rules, absences shorter than 6 months in a row, and 10 months in total over the 5 years, generally do not break the period.

Can Blue Card holders count time in other EU countries?

Yes, with conditions. Blue Card holders can combine residence in different EU countries towards EU long-term status.

Can I lose the status?

Yes. Under EU rules it can be withdrawn after 12 months in a row outside the EU.

Is this included in a package?

It is a separate service. Ask in your free evaluation and we quote a fixed fee.

Other routes
worth comparing.

Not sure this is the one? Your free evaluation checks every route against your situation.

25 EU countries
EU Blue CardUp to 4 years, renewable
Remote work
Digital Nomad1 to 2 years, renewable
National permits
Skilled WorkerUp to 5 years, renewable
Self-employment
Freelancer1 to 3 years, renewable
Family
Family ReunificationMatches sponsor's permit

Land in any of our 10 cities,
with keys in hand.

Fully Sorted includes first-month accommodation and airport pickup, arranged before you travel.

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