Last updated: 9 August 2026.
Being separated from your husband, wife, partner or children is hard, especially when a new life in the Netherlands is meant to be shared. If you hold a Dutch residence permit, or are Dutch or an EU national, you may be able to bring your closest family members to live with you here through family reunification (in Dutch, gezinshereniging).
This guide explains, in plain English, who can sponsor a family member, the requirements that apply in 2026, and how the application works step by step. Because Dutch family-migration rules have been politically debated and tightened in recent years, always check the latest position with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) before you rely on any single requirement, as conditions can change.
Who can sponsor a family member (the “referent”)
The person already living in the Netherlands who invites the family member is called the sponsor, or referent. To act as a sponsor, you must:
- Hold a valid Dutch residence permit, or be a Dutch or EU/EEA national; and
- Earn a stable, sufficient and independent income.
“Independent” means the income is your own, for example from employment or self-employment, rather than from social assistance. “Stable” means it is likely to continue for a meaningful period.
The 2026 income requirement
For the first half of 2026, the required income for a couple equals the statutory minimum wage: €2,294.40 gross per month excluding holiday allowance, or €2,477.95 including holiday allowance.
This figure is adjusted twice a year, so please verify the current amount on ind.nl before you apply. The exact way your income is calculated can depend on your contract type and whether you are employed or self-employed, so it is worth checking carefully, or seeking advice, if your income is close to the threshold.
Apply within three months for more favourable conditions
If you apply within three months of obtaining your own residence permit, you may qualify for more favourable conditions under the subsequent-immigration route (nareis). This route can be particularly relevant for those with international protection. If you think this might apply to you, act quickly, as the three-month window matters.
Who can be reunited with you
Family reunification is intended for your closest family members:
- A spouse or registered partner. Both you and your partner must generally be at least 21 years old. You will need to show a genuine and exclusive relationship, meaning a real, committed relationship rather than one entered into purely for a permit.
- An unmarried partner in a lasting and exclusive relationship, again subject to the age requirement.
- Minor children. Children must be minors at the time of the application and, in principle, part of your family unit.
Documents such as marriage or birth certificates usually need to be legalised or apostilled and, where required, translated into Dutch or English. Requirements differ by country of origin, so confirm what your family member’s country needs.
The step-by-step application process
Step 1 — Gather your documents
Prepare proof of your identity and residence status, evidence of your income, and documents proving the family relationship (for example marriage, partnership or birth certificates). Make sure foreign documents are legalised or apostilled and translated where necessary. Getting this right at the outset avoids delays later.
Step 2 — The basic civic integration exam abroad
Non-exempt family members aged roughly 18 to 65 must usually pass the basic civic integration exam abroad (basisexamen inburgering) before the MVV can be granted. This exam tests basic Dutch language skills and knowledge of Dutch society, and is taken at a Dutch embassy or consulate. Some people are exempt, so check whether the exam applies in your situation before booking it.
Step 3 — Apply for the MVV
Most family members need a provisional residence authorisation, known as an MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf), before they travel to the Netherlands. In practice, the sponsor usually submits the combined TEV application (residence permit plus MVV) to the IND from within the Netherlands.
Nationals of certain MVV-exempt countries do not need an MVV, including EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Monaco and Vatican City. Exemption status can change and depends on the passport your family member holds, so please confirm the current position before assuming an exemption applies.
Step 4 — The IND decision
The IND assesses the application against the requirements above and must also weigh Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), which protects the right to family life. This means the IND should carry out a balancing exercise between the interests of the state and your family’s interest in living together.
Processing times vary with the type and complexity of the case and the IND’s workload. Any timeline you read online is typical, not guaranteed, so plan with some flexibility.
Step 5 — Collect the MVV, travel and residence permit
If the application is approved and an MVV is required, your family member collects the MVV at the Dutch embassy or consulate. An approved MVV is typically valid for 90 days for travel to the Netherlands. After arrival, your family member registers, may need to give biometric details, and collects their residence permit from the IND. They will usually also complete a health check (TB test) where required.
What to do if your application is refused
A refusal is not necessarily the end of the road. You can lodge an objection (bezwaar) with the IND within the period stated in the decision, which is commonly four weeks. In your objection you can explain why the decision is wrong and, importantly, set out the Article 8 ECHR family-life arguments in your case, for example the impact of separation on children or the impossibility of living together elsewhere.
Deadlines here are strict. If you are considering an objection, seek legal advice promptly so the four-week window is not missed.
Costs
The IND charges a fee for a family reunification application. These fees rose by 4.4% from 1 January 2026, so the amount payable will differ from earlier years. Because fees change and depend on the type of application, please check the current fee on ind.nl before you apply. Budget separately for related costs such as the integration exam, document legalisation and translations.
Frequently asked questions
How long does family reunification take?
It depends on the case and the IND’s caseload. Published processing times are typical rather than guaranteed, so allow for some flexibility in your plans.
Does my partner need to speak Dutch before coming?
Often, yes. Non-exempt family members aged roughly 18 to 65 usually have to pass the basic civic integration exam abroad, which includes basic Dutch, before the MVV is granted. Some people are exempt.
Do we always need an MVV?
Most family members do, but nationals of MVV-exempt countries (such as the EU/EEA, Switzerland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and the UK) do not. Always confirm the current exemption status for the specific passport held.
What income do I need as a sponsor in 2026?
For the first half of 2026, a couple’s requirement equals the minimum wage: €2,294.40 gross per month excluding holiday allowance (€2,477.95 including). This is updated twice a year, so verify the current figure on ind.nl.
Can we still apply if we are not married?
Yes. An unmarried partner in a genuine, lasting and exclusive relationship may qualify, provided both partners are at least 21.
What if my application is refused?
You can usually file an objection (bezwaar), commonly within four weeks, and raise your right to family life under Article 8 ECHR. Legal advice is strongly recommended given the strict deadlines.
How Law & More can help
Family reunification applications can be detailed and unforgiving of mistakes, and the rules continue to evolve. At Law & More, our immigration lawyers in Eindhoven and Amsterdam help non-EU nationals bring their spouses, partners and children to the Netherlands, from assessing the income requirement and preparing documents to handling the MVV application and, where needed, lodging an objection built on Article 8 ECHR.
If you would like clarity on your options and a carefully prepared application, contact Law & More to discuss your situation with one of our immigration lawyers.
