In today’s ageing European societies, residential behaviour of older people is becoming increasingly important. This article explores the causal relationships between previous migratory biography and residential patterns adopted after the age of 55, using Event History Analysis. The results show that the place of birth marks the subsequent migration path of individuals, even affecting residential behaviour in old age. The existence of prior migration, the habitat of residence and the length of the sedentary period also have an important influence on the mobility decision in old age. Finally, it is demonstrated that reducing mobility between the most recent generations of older people is an effect of their previous migration biography. The migratory paths of individuals throughout their lives, young and adult, are more decisive with regard to residential behaviour in old age than short-term circumstances. Therefore, possible changes in the migration biographies of younger generations could lead to changes in the levels of mobility in old age, regardless of economic circumstances. Gender differences can be observed in this respect, with women being more vulnerable to historical circumstances than men.