# How to bring your partner in NL Canonical: https://howtoin.nl/bring-your-partner Last reviewed: 2026-09-01 Themes: Residence, Moving, Family Time: 3–6 months (varies) Time-sensitive figures registered through: 2026-12-31 Source: How to in NL (https://howtoin.nl) ## Summary 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. ## Overview 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. ## 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. ## Steps ### 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. **Source:** [IND: Residence permit for partner](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) Anchor: https://howtoin.nl/bring-your-partner#step-1 ### 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. **Source:** [IND: Translation and legalisation of documents](https://ind.nl/en/translation-and-legalisation-of-documents) Anchor: https://howtoin.nl/bring-your-partner#step-2 ### 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. **Source:** [IND: Current income requirements](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) Anchor: https://howtoin.nl/bring-your-partner#step-3 ### 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. (EUR 254) **Source:** [IND: Residence permit for partner](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) Anchor: https://howtoin.nl/bring-your-partner#step-4 ### 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. **Timing:** The IND decision period for the standard partner application is 90 days and can be extended if more information is needed. **Source:** [IND: Residence permit for partner](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) Anchor: https://howtoin.nl/bring-your-partner#step-5 ## Documents - 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 ## Costs | Amount | Detail | | --- | --- | | EUR 254 | IND application fee: €254 (2026) for the standard partner residence-permit application | | not stated | Legalisation and translation costs vary if foreign documents need them | ## Structured costs - Application fee: EUR 254 (2026). IND application fee: €254 (2026) for the standard partner residence-permit application ## Timing The IND decision period for the standard partner residence-permit application is 90 days and can be extended if more information is needed. ## Time-sensitive facts Registered claims: 2 Earliest expiry: 2026-12-31 Review owner role: HowToIn editorial and release owner For a later period, verify the linked official source rather than carrying an older amount forward. ## 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 ## Next steps - Gather and legalise documents before applying - Submit the IND application - Plan registration and health insurance for your partner ## Related guides - [register-at-municipality](https://howtoin.nl/register-at-municipality) - [extend-your-residence-permit](https://howtoin.nl/extend-your-residence-permit) - [enrol-your-child-in-school](https://howtoin.nl/enrol-your-child-in-school) - [find-a-recognised-sponsor](https://howtoin.nl/find-a-recognised-sponsor) - [legalise-foreign-documents](https://howtoin.nl/legalise-foreign-documents) - [take-a-tb-test](https://howtoin.nl/take-a-tb-test) ## Official sources - [IND: Residence permit for partner](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) - [IND: Current income requirements](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) ## About this document This is a machine-readable rendering of https://howtoin.nl/bring-your-partner. Published by How to in NL, part of Flux Forward (https://fluxforward.world). Last reviewed against its official sources on 2026-09-01. Canonical JSON: https://howtoin.nl/content/guides/bring-your-partner.json General guidance only. Rules can change and may depend on your situation; verify important steps with the official source before acting.