Asylum permits valid for 3 years: what will change from 12 June 2026?
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New European asylum rules have been in force since 12 June 2026. Many people are wondering whether a three-year asylum permit means that the IND will reassesse their eligibility to stay every three years. In this article, we explain what the new rules mean.
New residence permits in the Netherlands are now valid for a maximum of 3 years
Previously, a
Did you already have a temporary asylum residence permit on 12 June 2026? If so, you can simply keep your permit until it expires. You do not need to do anything before your permit expires. After that, you will need to apply for a new document. This is called a renewal.
The shorter duration does not affect your protection itself. Your permit for
Renewal is not the same as reassessment
Many people confuse two things: renewing your card and a
Renewal means: your old card is due to expire, and you apply for a new one. This does not affect your protection or right of residence. The IND does not always start the asylum process from scratch. Often, you simply fill in the form and are issued with a new document.
There is no limit to the number of times you can renew your residence permit. Previously, after 5 years, you could apply for a
Good to know: your right to stay in the Netherlands does not depend on your residence permit. Your right of residence only ends if the IND revokes your permit. Nevertheless, it is important to renew your permit in good time. The IND states that you must do this within the last three months before your permit expires. That way, you will avoid any problems.
A reassessment is something quite different. In that case, the IND asks the question again: do you still need protection? This does not happen without good reason, nor does it happen automatically every three years. The IND only carries out a reassessment if there is a clear reason, for example because your country of origin has become safe. Without such a reason, your permit will simply remain as it is.
So: after three years, you apply for a new card. The IND will not reassess your situation, unless there is a specific reason to do so.
When the IND does reassess your status
The IND may review your status at any time. This is separate from the time at which you renew your residence permit. This may happen, for example, if your country of origin has clearly become safe. Or if you have returned to your country of origin of your own accord. It may also happen if you have provided incorrect details, or if you pose a threat to security in the Netherlands.
Has the situation in your country changed? If so, the IND may only revoke your permit if that change is significant and permanent. A minor or temporary improvement in the country is not sufficient. To determine how safe a country is, the government uses an
In the event of a reassessment, the IND must first demonstrate that there is a reason to revoke your status. Only then is it up to you to show that you still need protection.
The permanent residence permit is being abolished
Previously, after 5 years, you could apply for
Did you already have a permanent residence permit on 12 June 2026? If so, you simply keep it. This is because a permanent residence permit does not expire. You just need to renew your card every five years, as before. So you do not need to apply for a new permit, and you will not lose your rights. With this permanent residence permit, you can still become a Dutch citizen.
Had you already applied for a permanent permit?
This is important for a specific group. Perhaps you currently have a temporary asylum residence permit and had already applied for a permanent permit. Or perhaps you were planning to do so soon because you thought it was still possible.
Under the new rules, this can no longer be done in the old way. If you applied for a permanent residence permit before 12 June 2026 but have not yet received a decision, the IND will treat your application as a renewal of your temporary document, and no longer as an application for a permanent residence permit. You will receive a letter from the IND regarding this. The fee you paid for the application will be refunded. Is your current permit still valid for more than 3 months? If so, the IND will not renew your permit straight away.
Were you planning to apply for a permanent residence permit, but had not done so by 12 June 2026? If so, you can no longer do so. Since 12 June 2026, the IND has stopped issuing permanent residence permits, even to people who have been living in the Netherlands for a long time.
Another option: the EU permit as a ‘long-term resident’
The permanent asylum permit is being abolished, but there is another option for permanent residence. This is .
Have you been living in the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit, and do you currently have an asylum residence permit? If so, you may be entitled to this. However, the conditions are stricter than those for the old permanent residence permit. You must have lived legally in the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years. During those 5 years, you must not have been outside the Netherlands for more than 6 consecutive months, nor for more than 10 months in total. You must also have a sufficient and stable income,
Under the old permanent asylum permit, there was no income requirement. This makes it more difficult for some people to obtain this EU permit.
Just like the old permanent residence permit, this EU residence permit cannot be revoked if the situation in your country of origin changes. Your right of residence is therefore just as secure.
What does this mean in terms of becoming a Dutch citizen?
Many people want to become Dutch citizens after a number of years. This means you are issued with a Dutch passport. This is known as
To become a Dutch citizen, you need a residence permit that is not temporary. In the past, this was usually a permanent residence permit. However, this will be phased out by June 2026. You cannot become a Dutch citizen on the basis of a temporary asylum permit alone. What does count, however, is a residence permit that is not temporary, such as the residence permit for long-term EU residents.
An exception already applies to a few groups. They are able to become Dutch citizens on the basis of a temporary asylum permit:
Children who become Dutch citizens at the same time as a parent who is naturalising.
People who are officially
People who live with a family member or partner who has a right of permanent residence, or who is a Dutch citizen.
Do these rules apply to you? If so, seek advice from VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN) or a lawyer.
There are two things it is important to distinguish between here
Firstly: the government wants to make it possible in future to become a Dutch citizen whilst having a temporary asylum permit. This will be subject to two additional conditions:
You must have lived in the Netherlands for 6 years instead of 5.
You must be able to speak Dutch at B1 level.
But please note: these new rules do not yet apply. The law has not yet been amended. Until then, the situation remains as explained above.
Secondly: had you already submitted an application for a permanent permit? If so, it is already clear that you will not be granted one. There may be legal proceedings on this matter, but it is uncertain whether they will change anything.
You should therefore follow the guidance provided by the IND, and if in doubt, seek advice from your lawyer, a