Originally Posted by
zerogx
To be honest, at least in ajax's case, ILR and citizenship in 5 years is very generous already, considering that it takes 10 years in many other countries, and some countries don't allow naturalisation at all!
Naturalisation is a different story but for permanent residence rights, 5 year is pretty much the norm in Europe. In particular, 5 years is the period to acquire Long Term Resident Status in the EU.(UK and IRL excepted since this is part of the Schengen acquis that the UK and IRL have not opted into). This is for third country nationals with no family links to EU nationals. Spouses of EU nationals have an immediate right of residence in all EU Member States but the one of the EU national (the so-called problem of 'reverse discrimination') and that right of residence becomes a permanent one after 5 years.