In this guide
They had done most things correctly, but they had missed one document: the apostille on their marriage certificate. The application was suspended while the correct documents were obtained from their home country’s registrar. By the time it was resolved, seven months had passed.
Her experience is not unusual. The Dutch family reunification process is procedurally demanding, and even small documentation gaps cause significant delays. This guide is written to help you avoid those gaps.
I will cover the full process for bringing a partner to the Netherlands in 2026: who needs an MVV, the income requirement, what documents you need, the inburgeringsexamen abroad, how EU partners are treated differently, and the realistic timeline.
If you are still working through your own immigration status in the Netherlands, read the highly skilled migrant visa guide first. And once your partner is here, the complete guide to moving to the Netherlands covers all the practical steps they will need to take.
💡 Looking for a complete banking comparison? Read Best banking for expats in the Netherlands 2026 — covers ABN, ING, Bunq, Wise, Revolut & 5 others by expat use case.
Who Needs an MVV (Machtiging tot Voorlopig Verblijf)?
The MVV — machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf — is the Dutch long-stay visa sticker placed in a passport that allows entry into the Netherlands for the purpose of residing there. It is step one of a two-step process: first the MVV, then the residence permit after arrival.
Your partner needs an MVV if they are:
- A non-EU/EEA national
- Not a citizen of a country that is exempt from the MVV requirement
- Planning to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days
MVV-exempt countries (no MVV required, but residence permit still needed): USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Monaco, Vatican, Andorra, and a handful of others. Check the current IND list, as it changes.
Your partner does NOT need an MVV if they are:
- An EU/EEA national (different process applies — see below)
- A national of an MVV-exempt country (still needs residence permit, but no MVV sticker)
The MVV is not the end of the process — it is permission to travel to the Netherlands. After arrival, your partner must convert the MVV into a verblijfsvergunning (residence permit) within the MVV’s validity period, typically 90 days.
EU Partners: A Different and Simpler Process
If your partner is an EU or EEA citizen, EU freedom of movement law applies. The Netherlands must allow your partner to join you, and the administrative process is considerably lighter than for non-EU nationals.
What EU Partners Need to Do
Step 1 — Arrive in the Netherlands. No visa or MVV is needed. EU citizens can enter freely.
Step 2 — Register with the gemeente. Within 5 days of arrival, your partner should register at the local gemeente (municipality) and obtain a BSN (burgerservicenummer). For more on this process, see the BSN registration guide.
Step 3 — Register with the IND (if staying over 90 days). EU citizens staying longer than 90 days must register with the IND. Your partner receives an EU residence document (verblijfsdocument EU/EER). This is not the same as the non-EU residence permit — it is a lighter registration.
Step 4 — No income requirement. The reference person’s income requirement that applies to non-EU family reunification does not apply to EU partners. This is a significant difference.
Step 5 — No inburgeringsexamen buitenland. EU partners are also exempt from the integration exam abroad.
The EU process typically takes a few weeks from registration, not months. If your partner is an EU national, skip ahead to the practical sections on housing and health insurance.
The Income Requirement for Non-EU Partners
This is the requirement that most people underestimate or misread.
In 2026, the Dutch sponsor (you, as the person already living in the Netherlands) must earn at least EUR 2,032.33 net per month. This figure is tied to the Dutch statutory minimum wage and is updated twice per year, on 1 January and 1 July.
What counts as income:
- Employment salary (the most simple option)
- Income from a Dutch employer contract
- Self-employment income (with additional documentation requirements)
What does NOT count:
- Unemployment benefit (WW-uitkering)
- Social assistance (bijstand)
- Child benefit (kinderbijslag)
- Your partner’s income from abroad
- Rental income (in most cases)
Stability matters: The IND does not just look at your current payslip. They assess whether the income is durable and lasting. A contract ending in three months does not count. A probationary period may cause complications. Permanent contracts are the clearest option.
Self-Employed Income
If you are a freelancer or ZZP’er in the Netherlands, the IND requires:
- Annual accounts (jaarrekeningen) for the last 1–3 years, prepared by a registered accountant
- Your most recent aangifte inkomstenbelasting (income tax return) with confirmation from the Belastingdienst
- Evidence of ongoing contracts or income streams
What If You Earn Just Above the Threshold?
The threshold is a minimum, not a guideline. If you earn exactly EUR 2,100 net per month and your partner then joins you and needs to enroll in an inburgeringsprogramme (which costs money), the IND may assess whether the income is truly sufficient for the household. In practice, a clear margin above the minimum strengthens the application.
The Inburgeringsexamen Buitenland
For non-EU partners from countries not on the exemption list, passing the civic integration exam abroad (inburgeringsexamen buitenland) is a legal requirement before the MVV can be issued.
What the Exam Tests
The exam has two components:
1. Dutch language (Kennis van de Nederlandse Taal): A spoken Dutch test at A1 level. The examiner calls via telephone or video. Questions are simple and based on everyday scenarios: introducing yourself, giving your address, describing your family. A1 is genuinely basic — you are not expected to have a conversation, just to demonstrate minimal spoken comprehension and production.
2. Knowledge of Dutch society (Kennis van de Nederlandse Maatschappij — KNM): A multimedia test taken at the Dutch embassy or consulate. Questions about Dutch history, government, education system, healthcare, and social norms. The content is covered in an official preparation package (the “Naar Nederland” DVD and app), which is the primary study resource.
Who Is Exempt
Your partner is exempt from the exam if they are a national of:
- All EU/EEA countries
- USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, Monaco
- Countries whose nationals are also exempt from the MVV requirement
A full and current list is maintained by the IND. If your partner’s country is borderline, check the IND website or speak with an immigration lawyer.
Preparation Time and Cost
Preparing for the exam typically takes 2–4 months of self-study with the Naar Nederland materials. The exam registration costs around EUR 350 (exact amount varies by embassy/consulate). The exam is taken at a Dutch embassy in your partner’s country of residence.
For a more detailed guide on what the integration system looks like after arrival, see the inburgeringsexamen preparation guide.
Documents Required for the MVV Application
Documentation is where most applications run into delays. The IND requires certified, apostilled, and translated documents. Each element — certified, apostilled, translated — must be done correctly and in order.
Core Documents
For the sponsor (you, in the Netherlands):
- Valid passport
- Current Dutch residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) or proof of Dutch nationality
- Proof of income: recent employer statement (werkgeversverklaring), last three payslips, and latest annual statement
- Proof of housing: rental contract showing you rent an independent dwelling (not a room in a shared house), or ownership documentation
- Extract from the BRP (Basisregistratie Personen) showing your registered address
For your partner (applying from abroad):
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond the intended stay)
- Recent passport photo meeting Dutch requirements
- Birth certificate (apostilled, with certified Dutch translation)
- Proof of relationship (see below)
- Certificate of good conduct / criminal record check from their home country (apostilled, Dutch translation)
- If applicable: certificate of the inburgeringsexamen buitenland
Proof of Relationship
Married partners: Original marriage certificate, apostilled, with certified Dutch translation. If the original is not in a language the IND accepts for direct reading (English, German, French), a certified translation is required.
Registered partners: Registered partnership certificate, apostilled, translated.
Unmarried partners: This is the most documentation-heavy category. The IND requires:
- Evidence of cohabitation for at least 6 months (shared lease, joint registration, joint bank statements), OR
- Evidence of a durable relationship of at least 12 months (travel records, visa stamps, message history summary, photographs, statutory declarations from third parties)
- Both partners must also sign a declaration of durable relationship
- Neither partner can be married to someone else
Apostille and Translation
An apostille is a government-issued certificate authenticating a public document for use in another country. Not every country issues apostilles — check whether your partner’s country is part of the Hague Apostille Convention (most countries are).
Translations must be done by a certified translator (beëdigd vertaler) recognised in the Netherlands. Do not use Google Translate or a standard freelance translator. The IND will reject uncertified translations.
The Application Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Sponsor Submits Application in the Netherlands
The MVV application is submitted by you (the sponsor) to the IND in the Netherlands, not by your partner abroad. You submit via the IND’s online portal (mijnind.nl) or at an IND desk.
At this point, you pay the application fee. In 2026 the MVV fee is approximately EUR 192. Check the IND website for the current amount.
Step 2: IND Assessment
The IND reviews your application and supporting documents. This is when missing documents cause delays. If anything is incomplete, the IND issues a request for additional information (aanvulling), and the clock stops until you respond.
The statutory processing time is 90 days. In practice, simple applications for married partners of highly skilled migrants are often processed in 6–10 weeks. Complex cases (unmarried partners, self-employed sponsors, missing apostilles) regularly take longer.
Step 3: Partner Takes Exam Abroad (if required)
If your partner needs to pass the inburgeringsexamen buitenland and has not done so yet, they should begin preparation as soon as the application is submitted. Exam slots at Dutch embassies can be limited, particularly in countries with large Dutch expat communities.
Step 4: MVV Issued at Dutch Embassy/Consulate
Once the IND approves the application, they notify the relevant Dutch embassy or consulate. Your partner must then make an appointment to collect the MVV in person. Additional documents may be requested at this stage. The MVV is typically valid for 90 days.
Step 5: Partner Travels to the Netherlands
Your partner travels to the Netherlands within the MVV’s validity period. On arrival, they pass through border control and can enter as a long-stay resident.
Step 6: Convert MVV to Residence Permit
Within the MVV’s validity period (90 days), your partner must apply for the actual residence permit (verblijfsvergunning regulier voor bepaalde tijd — gezinshereniging). This is done at the IND. They will be issued a residence sticker in their passport and eventually a dedicated residence permit card (verblijfspas).
After Arrival: What Happens Next
Once your partner has arrived and converted their MVV to a residence permit:
Work rights: Your partner’s residence permit for family reunification gives them the right to work in the Netherlands without requiring a separate work permit. If you are curious about the broader landscape of Dutch work permits for non-EU nationals — including the highly skilled migrant visa that you may already hold — the Netherlands work permit guide for non-EU nationals covers how the different permit types interact.
BSN registration: Register at your local gemeente within 5 days. Both of you must be present at the appointment. Your partner will receive a BSN. For details on this process, see the BSN registration guide.
Health insurance: Your partner must take out a Dutch zorgverzekering. This is mandatory for all residents. Read the Dutch health insurance guide for expats to understand the system and how to choose a provider.
Integration obligation (inburgeringsplicht): Most non-EU partners who were required to pass the exam abroad will also have an ongoing integration obligation in the Netherlands. They must reach B1 Dutch language level and complete the ONA (Oriëntatie op de Nederlandse Arbeidsmarkt) module within a set period, typically 3 years. The municipality arranges and partially funds this.
Housing: If you have not already secured housing, finding suitable accommodation in the Netherlands is a challenge. See the finding housing in the Netherlands guide for practical steps.
Interim Health Coverage During the Application Period
While your partner’s application is being processed, they are not yet a Dutch resident and cannot take out Dutch zorgverzekering. If your partner is in their home country during this period, they need travel or short-stay health insurance.
SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance is one option for this interim period. It is a travel medical policy on a monthly subscription with no long-term commitment, so your partner can start it before travelling and cancel once the Dutch policy is in place. Two things to be clear about: it is not a Dutch basisverzekering and does not satisfy the Dutch insurance obligation once your partner is registered as a resident, and travel medical policies typically exclude pre-existing conditions — read the policy document if that applies.
Common Reasons for Refusal
Knowing the most frequent grounds for rejection helps you avoid them:
Insufficient income: The most common reason. Make sure your income is above the threshold, stable, and documented with employer statements and payslips.
Missing or incorrect apostilles: Documents without apostilles, or with apostilles that do not match the document format, cause suspensions and eventual rejections.
Uncertified translations: The IND requires certified translations by sworn translators. Rejections based on translation quality are frustrating but entirely avoidable.
Housing insufficiency: Your accommodation must be an independent dwelling of adequate size. The IND checks that you have a proper rental contract showing the address, your name, and a living space of sufficient size for two people.
Partner failed integration exam: If the exam is required and your partner has not passed, the MVV cannot be issued. There is no way around this requirement.
Relationship not convincingly proven (unmarried partners): Weak documentation of the relationship is the most common issue for unmarried partner applications.
Timeline Summary
| Stage | Typical Duration |
|---|---|
| Gather and certify all documents | 4–8 weeks |
| Partner prepares for and passes integration exam | 2–4 months (if required) |
| IND processing after submission | 6–12 weeks |
| Embassy appointment and MVV collection | 1–2 weeks after IND approval |
| Travel to Netherlands and residence permit conversion | Within 90 days of MVV issuance |
| Total from starting process to partner arriving | 3–6 months (simple cases); 6–9 months (complex) |
When to Get Immigration Legal Advice
For most clear-cut cases — married partner, clear employment income, proper documents — the process is manageable without a lawyer. The IND guidance is thorough, and this article covers the key requirements.
Consider a consultation with an immigration lawyer if:
- You are self-employed and your income history is short or variable
- You are sponsoring an unmarried partner and the relationship documentation is thin
- Your partner’s country does not issue apostilles and you are unsure about alternatives
- A previous application was refused and you are reapplying
- Your own residence permit has specific conditions that may interact with the family reunification rules
Immigration lawyers in the Netherlands typically charge EUR 200–350 per hour for consultations. A full-service MVV application can cost EUR 1,500–3,000, but for complex cases this can save months of delays.
Bottom Line
Bringing your partner to the Netherlands is procedurally demanding but very manageable if you approach it methodically. The three things that derail most applications are: failing the income requirement, missing or incorrect apostilles, and — for unmarried partners — insufficient relationship documentation.
Start early. The IND’s 90-day statutory processing time does not begin until your application is complete. Every missing document pauses the clock. Build in time for the integration exam if required, and budget for certified translations and apostilles.
Once your partner is here, the practical priorities are BSN registration, health insurance, and the housing situation. The highly skilled migrant visa page is useful background if you are still sorting out your own immigration status alongside the family reunification application.
After Approval: Your Partner’s First Month in the Netherlands
Once your partner’s permit is approved and they arrive, here is the administrative sequence:
Within 3 days of arrival: If your partner entered on an MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, the pre-arrival visa), they must report to the IND within 3 business days to collect the actual residence permit sticker or document. Missing this deadline creates complications.
Gemeente registration: Your partner registers at the gemeente (BRP registration) at your shared address. They need their passport, residence permit, and evidence of address (your rental contract or a verklaring from the owner). Your partner receives their BSN at registration or within a few days.
Health insurance: Your partner must register for Dutch zorgverzekering within 4 months of BRP registration. If they are not employed, they arrange their own policy. If they are employed, their employer may handle this. The monthly premium is approximately €130–€160. Check whether they qualify for zorgtoeslag (health insurance allowance) based on your combined household income — see the toeslagen guide.
DigiD: Apply as soon as the BSN is issued. Two-week wait for the activation letter. Your partner needs DigiD for almost all Dutch government digital services.
Bank account: With BSN and passport, your partner can open a Dutch bank account. If they are waiting for employment to start, Bunq or Wise work as immediate digital options.
Work rights: A partner permit issued for family reunification typically includes the right to work (arbeid is vrij toegestaan). Check the permit document — this should be explicitly stated. If it is not, contact the IND for clarification before your partner accepts employment.
The Integration Obligation for Partners
If your partner is non-EU/EEA and not exempt, they may be subject to the inburgeringsplicht (integration obligation) — the requirement to pass the inburgeringsexamen within 3 years. Exemptions apply to: highly educated persons who have passed an equivalent Dutch language test, persons over 65, and certain other categories.
The inburgering obligation is the partner’s responsibility — your employer sponsorship does not transfer the obligation to you. Your partner should check their obligation status with the gemeente after arriving. The inburgeringsexamen guide covers the full process, including available learning routes and how to claim the lening (loan) for course costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the income requirement to bring a partner to the Netherlands in 2026?
In 2026, the sponsoring partner in the Netherlands must earn at least EUR 2,032.33 net per month. This is based on the Dutch statutory minimum wage (minimumloon) and is updated twice per year, in January and July. The amount must be from a stable, lasting income source — typically employment. Freelance or self-employed income requires additional documentation to demonstrate stability. The income must be from the reference person in the Netherlands; the foreign partner's income does not count.
Does my partner need to pass an integration exam before coming to the Netherlands?
If your partner is a non-EU national from a country not on the exemption list, yes — they must pass the inburgeringsexamen buitenland (civic integration exam abroad) before the MVV application can be approved. This exam is taken at a Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where your partner lives. It tests basic Dutch language (A1 level) and knowledge of Dutch society. Citizens of countries including the USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Switzerland, and all EU/EEA states are exempt.
How long does the partner visa process take in the Netherlands?
The full process typically takes 3 to 6 months from submitting the complete application to your partner receiving the MVV and being able to travel to the Netherlands. The IND has a statutory processing time of 90 days for partner permits, but this can extend if documentation is incomplete or the application needs additional assessment. After arriving in the Netherlands with the MVV, your partner must convert it to a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) within the validity period of the MVV.
What is the difference between a married partner and an unmarried partner for the visa?
For married partners (or registered partners), the documentation requirements are clear: the IND requires a valid marriage certificate, apostilled and translated into Dutch. For unmarried partners, the requirements are more demanding. You must prove a durable relationship, typically by demonstrating cohabitation for at least 6 months (via joint leases or utility bills) or a relationship of at least 12 months with evidence of regular contact (travel records, correspondence, photos). Unmarried partner applications take longer to assess and have a higher rejection rate.
Does an EU partner also need an MVV?
No. EU/EEA citizens and their family members fall under EU freedom of movement law, not Dutch immigration law. An EU partner does not need an MVV. They must register with the IND (for stays over 90 days) and may need to apply for an EU residence document if staying long-term, but this process is significantly simpler and faster than the standard non-EU MVV process. They do not need to pass the inburgeringsexamen buitenland.
Can I sponsor my partner if I am self-employed or a freelancer in the Netherlands?
Yes, but it is more complicated. The IND assesses self-employed income differently from employment income. You will need to provide at least one to three years of annual accounts (jaarrekeningen), tax returns from the Belastingdienst, and evidence that the income is stable and likely to continue. A single good year is usually insufficient — the IND looks at the trend. If your income fluctuates significantly, consider whether your average net income clearly exceeds the EUR 2,032.33 threshold.