Immigration Law · European Union
Secure Your Residence Permit With the Right Lawyer By Your Side
Applications are rejected for small, avoidable mistakes — a missing translation, a wrong income document, a form filed a week too late. We match you, free of charge, with a vetted immigration lawyer who handles residence permit cases in your target European country every day, from the first application through renewal, family reunification and appeal.
- 155+ legal services, 14 practice areas
- Lawyers across the EU & EEA
- No fee to get matched
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Who this is for
Whatever route brought you to Europe, the permit rules are still your responsibility
A residence permit is the legal document that lets a non-EU national live in an EU or EEA country beyond their visa’s validity. Whether you’re relocating for a job offer, joining a spouse or family member already living in Europe, enrolling in a university, retiring abroad, or building a business as a self-employed founder, each route has its own eligibility rules, income thresholds, insurance requirements and processing office — and each one is administered differently from one country to the next. Remote workers on digital nomad visas, students converting a study permit into a work permit after graduation, and long-term residents applying for permanent status all face the same underlying risk: a process built on paperwork, deadlines and discretion, run by an office that rarely explains why an application was slow or refused.
Why applicants get stuck
Residence permit applications rarely fail because of the rules.
They fail because of the process.
Every EU country runs its own foreigners’ office, its own document list, and its own timelines — and a small error can cost you months.
Missed renewal deadlines
Most countries require you to file a renewal 60 days before your current permit expires. Miss that window, even by accident, and you can fall out of legal status while you wait months for a new appointment slot to open up.
Incomplete or wrong documents
Income proof, accommodation contracts, private health insurance, sworn translations, apostilles and criminal record certificates all have to match exact local formats — one outdated stamp or missing page is often enough to trigger a rejection.
No response from the authorities
Unanswered emails, fully-booked appointment systems and months-long silences at the local foreigners’ office are common across Europe — a lawyer who works with that specific office knows which channel actually gets a reply and when to escalate.
What you get
A residence permit lawyer who actually works your case
We only match you with immigration lawyers who handle residence and settlement cases regularly in your target country.
Full case assessment
Your lawyer reviews your nationality, purpose of stay, income and family situation, then tells you honestly which permit type, timeline and route to residency actually gives you the strongest chance in your target country.
Document preparation
Get a precise, country-specific checklist and a line-by-line review of every form, sworn translation and certificate before you submit — not a generic explanation after a rejection has already cost you months.
Deadlines handled for you
Renewal windows, appeal periods, insurance renewals and appointment bookings are tracked and managed on your behalf, so nothing lapses silently while you’re focused on work, study or family.
Appeals & rejections
Already refused? Our lawyers review the exact grounds for refusal, fix the underlying problem and represent you in the formal appeal or in a new, stronger application before the immigration authority.
Coverage
Residence permit lawyers across Europe
Immigration rules are set nationally, not by the EU as a whole, so the right lawyer is one who works with your specific country’s foreigners’ office on a regular basis. We match cases across the following countries and beyond:
Frequently asked
Residence permits — common questions
What is the difference between a residence permit and a visa?
A visa authorises entry into a country, while a residence permit authorises you to legally live there beyond the visa’s validity — usually for work, study, family reunification or investment. Most non-EU nationals need a visa first, then apply for the residence permit once inside the country or at a consulate.
How long does it take to get a residence permit in Europe?
Processing times vary by country and permit type, typically from a few weeks to several months. Delays are common when documents are incomplete or the local immigration office has a backlog — a lawyer familiar with that specific office can often shorten the wait.
What is the difference between temporary and permanent (long-term) residence?
A temporary residence permit is tied to a specific purpose — work, study, family — and must be renewed periodically. After several years of continuous, legal residence (commonly five), you may qualify for a long-term EU residence permit or permanent status, which grants more stability and easier mobility within the EU.
My renewal is close to expiring — what should I do?
Most countries require you to file the renewal a set number of weeks before expiry, often around 60 days. If you’re close to that window or already past it, contact a lawyer immediately — in many cases you can still remain legally while the renewal is pending if it was filed correctly and on time.
Can a lawyer help if my residence permit application was rejected?
Yes. A rejection is not final — most countries allow an appeal within a strict deadline. An immigration lawyer can review the refusal grounds, correct the underlying issue, and represent you in the appeal or in a fresh, stronger application.
What documents are usually required for a residence permit application?
Requirements vary by country and permit type, but most applications ask for a valid passport, proof of sufficient and stable income, private or public health insurance, proof of accommodation, a criminal record certificate from your country of origin, and sworn translations of any foreign-language documents. A lawyer will confirm the exact, current list for your specific case before you file.
Free case review
Don’t let paperwork decide your future in Europe
Tell us your situation and we’ll connect you with an immigration lawyer who handles residence permit cases in your target country every day — free of charge, with no obligation to hire.