Jurisdiction(s):
European Union

Key definition

Permanent residence definition

What does Permanent residence mean? Permanent residence in legal practice denotes a non‑time‑limited immigration status allowing a person to live and work without further leave, subject to loss only in limited cases. United Kingdom (England & Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland): The EU free‑movement “right of permanent residence” arose under the Immigration (European Economic Area) Regulations 2006 (SI 2006/1003) (and successor instruments) implementing Directive 2004/38/EC. That regime has been revoked with the end of EU free movement; documents issued under it ceased to be valid on 30 June 2021. Today, the closest permanent statuses are indefinite leave to remain under the Immigration Act 1971 and “settled status”...

Early permanent residence under the EU Citizens’ Directive: workers, self‑employed and family members (retirement, incapacity, cross‑border work, death; periods counted as work)

Published by a LexisNexis EU Law expert

Practice notes

This Practice Note covers the circumstances where Permanent residence (PR) can be acquired early by the EU nationals and their family Members residing in the host Member State under EU free movement law, in derogation of the general rule (see AT v Pensionsversicherungsanstalt , [37]–[38]), which lays down a period of five years continuous lawful residence.

Accordingly, EU nationals may obtain PR ahead of the standard five-year threshold for continuous lawful residence in the host Member State, by way of derogation from that general rule, where they have stopped employment or self-employment in the particular scenarios outlined below.

These rules are not widely publicised.

For the purposes of this section, the expression ‘EU nationals’ is taken to include EEA nationals, covering the 27 EU Member States together with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

Switzerland is a party to the Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation, whose free movement provisions are very similar to those found in Directive 2004/38/EC (the Citizens’ Directive).

For these purposes, the following will be treated as periods of active work or self-employment:

intervals of inactivity for reasons beyond the individual’s control
periods of

...

To view the latest version of this document and thousands of others like it, sign-in with LexisNexis or register for a free trial.

Web page updated on 27/05/2026

Popular documents

Using the Judicial College Guidelines to assess general damages in personal injury claims

When evaluating a general damages claim, the practitioner ought initially to refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG)...

Tomlin orders in England and Wales: CPR guidance on drafting, confidentiality, approval, variation, enforcement, limitation, CCA issues, court-specific requirements, sample wording and precedents

This Practice Note This Practice Note reviews mechanisms used in settling litigation. A Tomlin order consists of a consent order paired with a schedule. It operates to stay proceedings on terms that have been agreed. The provisions contained in the schedule may remain confidential. This Practice Note describes the scope of confidentiality attaching to the schedule and sets out how it differs from a standard consent order. Sample wording for a Tomlin order is included, alongside links to precedents, as well as guidance on court approval. It also addresses varying, setting aside and enforcing a Tomlin order, including the considerations the court will take into account when handling applications for each. Further guidance is provided on interpreting and applying the relevant provisions of the CPR; however, some courts and divisions impose very specific requirements for both drafting and approval, and for approaching the schedule and confidentiality issues. Accordingly, you must consider the particular rules and court guide provisions in the forum where your claim is proceeding when drawing up the Tomlin order...

Precedent: Deed of Surrender of Lease with Optional Premium, Settlement and Release, Landlord, Mortgagee and Guarantor Consents, Reimbursement and HM Land Registry Provisions (England and Wales)

Date [ date ] Parties [ name of Landlord ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Landlord) [ name of Tenant ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Tenant) [ [ name of Guarantor ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Guarantor) ] [ [ name of Mortgagee ] [ of OR incorporated in England and Wales (company registration number [ number ]) with its registered office at ] [ address ] (Mortgagee) ] Definitions Within this Deed, the terms below shall be interpreted as follows: [ Annual Rent • the annual sum reserved under the Lease; ] [ Insurance Rent • the Tenant’s share of the Landlord’s costs of insuring the Property (as set out in the Lease); ] Lease • the lease of the Property dated [ date ], entered into between (1) [ the Landlord OR [ name ...

Precedent Statutory Declaration: Standard Wording under the Statutory Declarations Act 1835

I, [ name ], of [ address ], solemnly and sincerely state that: [ Matters to be verified, set out in numbered paragraphs ] I make this solemn statement in good conscience, believing it to be true, and pursuant to the provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act 1835. DECLARED at [ details ] this [ day ] day of [ month and year ] Before me ................................................................................ [ signature of the person before whom the declaration is made ] A [ commissioner for oaths OR [ solicitor OR [ insert other qualification ] ] authorised to administer oaths ]...