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Partner residence permit in the Netherlands

The programme allows the partner of a Dutch national or the holder of a Dutch residence permit to move to the Netherlands and live there with them. It covers official marriage, registered partnership and unregistered cohabitation.

Source: IND — Immigration and Naturalisation Service of the Netherlands

Who can obtain it

The sponsor in the Netherlands files the application and the partner joins them.

The sponsor’s status

  • A Dutch national
  • The holder of a valid Dutch residence permit (except for a few temporary statuses)

Type of relationship

  • Official marriage
  • Registered partnership
  • Unregistered cohabitation

What it costs

Fee for filing the application254 EUR

Documents to gather

The IND draws up the full list individually from the questionnaire on its website; it includes at least:

  • A valid passport or other travel document for both partners
  • A certificate showing the civic integration exam abroad has been passed (except where an exemption applies)
  • Appendix Antecedents Certificate — for a partner over the age of 12
  • Foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German

How the process runs

The main stages of obtaining the partner residence permit per the IND.

  1. 1

    Checking the sponsor’s eligibility

    The sponsor must be at least 21 years old (or 18 if the marriage was concluded while both still lived outside the Netherlands), hold Dutch citizenship or a valid residence permit, and meet the income requirement.

  2. 2

    The civic integration exam abroad

    The partner must pass this exam before the application is filed; a limited list of exemptions applies.

  3. 3

    Filing the application and paying the fee

    The sponsor files the application. When filing online, the fee of EUR 254.00 is paid immediately via iDEAL or Wero.

  4. 4

    IND decision and issue of the residence permit

    90 days

    The IND must take a decision within 90 days of the filing of a complete set of documents; for family reunification on asylum grounds the period is extended to 9 months.

Timelines and rights

Work

Where the sponsor is a Dutch national, the endorsement is “free to work, work permit not required”. Where the sponsor is a foreign national, the right to work as a rule mirrors the sponsor’s status.

Who you can bring with you

The conditions the partner themselves must meet.

Partner (husband, wife, registered partner or cohabiting partner)
At least 21 years old (or 18 for a marriage concluded before moving to the Netherlands), a valid passport, registration at the same address as the sponsor, and the civic integration exam abroad passed before the application is filed.

Renewal and the grace period

The partner residence permit can be extended while it is still valid and expires no later than 3 months from now, or within 4 weeks after it has expired. The IND must take a decision on the extension within 90 days. If the sponsor’s status is temporary, the term of the partner’s permit still matches the expiry date of the sponsor’s status.

Frequently asked questions about Partner residence permit

Who can act as a sponsor for a partner residence permit?
The sponsor can be a Dutch national or the holder of a valid Dutch residence permit. Sponsorship is not conferred by au pair, working holiday, cultural exchange, work experience, seasonal work or offshore work statuses, or by a permit under the EU-UK trade agreement.
How much does it cost to file an application for a partner residence permit?
The fee for a first application and for an extension is EUR 254.00. When filing online, payment is made immediately via iDEAL or Wero.
How much does the sponsor have to earn for the partner to obtain the permit?
The sponsor must have an independent, sustainable and sufficient income — no less than EUR 2,337.00 a month excluding holiday allowance or EUR 2,523.96 including holiday allowance. These amounts apply from 1 July to 31 December 2026 and are reviewed twice a year.
How long does the IND take to assess the application?
The standard decision period is 90 days. For family reunification on asylum grounds the period is extended to 9 months.
How long is the partner residence permit issued for?
If the sponsor is a Dutch national or holds a permanent residence permit, the partner is granted a permit for 5 years. If the sponsor’s status is temporary, the term of the partner’s permit matches the expiry date of the sponsor’s status.
Does the partner have to pass an exam before moving?
Yes, the partner must pass the civic integration exam abroad before the application is filed; a limited list of exemptions from this requirement applies.
Can the partner residence permit be extended?
Yes. The extension application must be filed while the permit is still valid and expires no later than 3 months from now, or no later than 4 weeks after it has expired. The IND takes a decision within 90 days.

Other ways to move to Netherlands

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Netherlands.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.