Habitual residence, in the context of international child abduction, refers to the country where a child has established a regular and stable residence. This concept is crucial in the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, designed to prevent the wrongful removal or retention of children across borders. In the context of European Union law, the Brussels II ter Regulation governs jurisdiction in child abduction cases within the EU member states. Courts use this concept to decide jurisdiction in cases of child abduction, aiming to protect the child's best interests by ensuring legal proceedings occur in the country of habitual residence. The determination of habitual residence is fact-specific and involves considering many factors, such as parental intent, the child's integration into the community, and the duration and continuity of residence. In this paper, several models that approach the determination of habitual residence differently will be presented. The aim is to demonstrate the role and importance of establishing habitual residence in the context of international child abduction and the challenges associated with its determination, both at the international and European levels.