How to bring your partner in NL
Use the standard IND partner residence-permit route to bring a foreign partner to live with you in the Netherlands. Different rules can apply under EU law or other special situations.
- Who it's for
- People using the standard IND residence-permit route for a partner
- Time
- 3–6 months (varies)
- Steps
- 5 steps
- Last reviewed
- 1 September 2026
“Last reviewed” means this guide was checked against its official sources on that date.
Source-linked · AI-assisted research · Human-reviewedHow we check thisHide
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Overview
What you're trying to do
The standard IND partner route covers married, registered and unmarried partners who want to live together in the Netherlands. The exact document list and whether an MVV is needed depend on the situation, so use the IND page as the source of truth.
Prerequisites
Before you start
Check that this is the right route for you. The standard partner permit has requirements around identity, a verifiable relationship, age, living together in the Netherlands and the sponsor's income. Where an MVV is needed, your partner must also pass the civic integration exam abroad, unless an exemption or dispensation applies, and must take a tuberculosis test after arriving in the Netherlands unless exempt. Nationalities that are exempt from the MVV do not sit this exam at all. Check the IND page for when the exam has to be passed in your case. Different rules may apply to EU/EEA/Swiss families, some UK Withdrawal Agreement cases, Turkish citizens and other situations.
Step by step
Your recipe
- 1
Check the requirements
First confirm that the standard IND partner residence-permit route applies to you. The route includes requirements around identity, your relationship, age, living together in the Netherlands and the sponsor's income. Where an MVV is needed, your partner must also pass the civic integration exam abroad, unless an exemption or dispensation applies, and nationalities that are exempt from the MVV do not sit it at all. Check the IND page for when it has to be passed. Other rules can apply in special situations.
Do this: Read the current IND partner-permit page and check whether another route, such as EU free movement, applies instead.
Common mistake: Do not assume one family-reunification checklist applies to every nationality and residence status.
Official source
IND · Residence permit for partner - 2
Gather and legalise documents
Gather the documents the IND requests for your situation. Foreign official documents may need legalisation and translation into Dutch, English, French or German.
Do this: Use the IND document overview for your case instead of relying on a generic checklist.
Documents needed- Valid travel documents
- Evidence of the relationship
- Income evidence for the sponsor
- Other documents listed by the IND for your situation
Common mistake: Do not legalise or translate documents blindly; first check exactly what the IND requires for the issuing country and document type.
Official source
IND · Translation and legalisation of documents - 3
Check the income and living-together requirements
For the standard partner route, the sponsor must meet the applicable income requirements and you must intend to live together in the Netherlands and be registered at the same address.
Do this: Check the current IND income requirement and confirm that your living arrangement fits the partner-permit conditions.
Common mistake: Income requirements can change during the year. Use the amount that applies when you submit the application.
Official source
IND · Current income requirements - 4
Submit the IND application
Submit the standard partner residence-permit application with the required documents. Depending on the situation, the application can also include an MVV request.
Do this: Submit through the IND route that applies to your case and keep the confirmation and payment record.
Cost€254 for the standard partner residence-permit application in 2026; exceptions can apply.
Official source
IND · Residence permit for partner - 5
Wait for the decision
The IND may use the full decision period and can ask for additional information. A positive decision explains the next steps for the residence permit and, where applicable, the MVV.
Do this: Track the application, respond to IND requests on time and plan travel or registration only around the actual decision and instructions.
Processing timeThe IND decision period for the standard partner application is 90 days and can be extended if more information is needed.
Official source
IND · Residence permit for partner
Checklist
Documents you may need
- Valid passports or travel documents
- Evidence of your relationship
- Evidence that the sponsor meets the applicable income requirement
- Other documents the IND asks for based on your situation
What you might pay
Costs
- IND application fee: €254 (2026) for the standard partner residence-permit application
- Legalisation and translation costs vary if foreign documents need them
How long it takes
Timing
The IND decision period for the standard partner residence-permit application is 90 days and can be extended if more information is needed.
Verify before you act
Official sources
Requirements depend on your situation. Check the latest requirements with the relevant authority.
Avoid these
Common mistakes
- Using the standard partner route when EU free-movement or another special route applies, which has a different fee, a different decision period and no MVV
- Relying on an old income threshold instead of checking the current IND amount
- Submitting foreign civil-status documents without checking whether legalisation or translation is required
After this
What happens next
- Gather and legalise documents before applying
- Submit the IND application
- Plan registration and health insurance for your partner
Where to go next
Need help beyond this guide?
Browse organisations across the Netherlands that support internationals with settling in, work, housing, health and study. Listing is not endorsement.
Keep going
Related how-tos
How to register at the municipality in NL
Register as a resident in the BRP with the municipality where you live if you will stay in the Netherlands for more than 4 months.
How to extend your residence permit in NL
Extend a Dutch residence permit: the 3-month application window, who is allowed to submit the application, and what a residence gap costs you later. Some permits can only be extended by a recognised sponsor.
How to enrol your child in school in NL
How to enrol a child in a Dutch primary or secondary school, from compulsory education (leerplicht) to newcomer language classes. You register with the school itself, but in some municipalities the schools allocate places centrally.
How to find a recognised sponsor in NL
Find an employer authorised by the IND to bring skilled workers to the Netherlands under the highly skilled migrant scheme.
How to legalise a foreign document in NL
Legalisation, or an apostille, is what makes a document issued abroad usable by a Dutch authority. The route depends entirely on the country that issued it, and EU public documents are exempt. Check which applies before you pay.
How to take the required TB test in NL
Most regular residence permits carry a tuberculosis test condition. Check the IND exemption list first, because a large share of applicants are exempt, and if it applies to you the GGD appointment has a three month clock on it.
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