Partner visa Netherlands 2026: step-by-step application and evidence
The MVV and residence permit procedure, checked against the IND
A "partner visa" is the informal name for two things granted in one procedure: the MVV, a long-stay entry visa, and the residence permit to stay with a partner. It applies when the sponsor is Dutch or a non-EU national with a Dutch residence permit. This guide walks through the application and the evidence the IND expects.
For the income rules, the EU route and work rights by sponsor type, read our family reunification guide. For the exam itself, see the civic integration exam guide. To compare the partner route with work and study permits, see our Dutch residence permit guide.
Once your partner arrives, they register with the municipality and get a BSN; our BSN registration guide explains that step.
Key facts for 2026
| IND fee | €254 (MVV and residence permit together) |
| Decision period | 90 days from a complete application, can be extended |
| Sponsor income | €2,337 gross a month excl. holiday allowance (from 1 July 2026) |
| Age | Both 21+, or 18+ if married while both lived outside the Netherlands |
| Civic integration exam abroad | A1 level, unless exempt |
| Collecting the MVV | Within 3 months of approval |
| Permit validity | 5 years with a Dutch or permanent-resident sponsor; otherwise the sponsor's end date |
The application, step by step
- 1
Check which route applies
If your partner is an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen (not Dutch) living here, use the cheaper EU route instead. Our family reunification guide compares both routes.
- 2
Civic integration exam abroad
Unless your partner is exempt, they pass the basic exam abroad (A1 Dutch and knowledge of Dutch society) before the MVV application. Exempt: EU/EEA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, the US, Vatican City, and family of highly skilled migrants.
- 3
Collect and legalise documents
Passports, birth certificates and, if married, the marriage certificate. Foreign documents must be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German, following the IND rules for the issuing country.
- 4
The sponsor applies (TEV procedure)
As sponsor you apply in the Netherlands for the MVV and residence permit together and pay the €254 fee. Include income evidence and relationship evidence.
- 5
IND decision
The IND must decide within 90 days of a complete application. It may ask for more documents, which pauses the clock.
- 6
Collect the MVV
After approval, your partner makes an appointment at the Dutch embassy or consulate within 3 months, gives fingerprints and a signature, and receives the MVV sticker.
- 7
Arrive, register and collect the permit
Your partner travels to the Netherlands, registers at your shared address with the municipality and collects the residence permit. Dutch health insurance becomes compulsory once they live here.
Relationship evidence
If you are married or registered partners, the legalised certificate is the core proof. Unmarried couples must show a lasting and exclusive relationship. The IND looks at the whole picture, so several kinds of evidence spread over time carry more weight than one strong document.
Documents
- Joint lease, mortgage or address registration
- Utility bills in both names
- Joint bank account or shared financial obligations
- Birth certificate of a child together
Personal evidence
- Photos together over a longer period
- Travel together (tickets, bookings, passport stamps)
- Messages and calls over time
- Letters from family or friends who know you as a couple
The IND form for residence with a partner includes a questionnaire about your relationship. Answer it consistently with the evidence you send.
Legalising and translating documents
Official foreign documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, must be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German. How you legalise depends on the country that issued the document: many countries use an apostille, others need legalisation by the Dutch embassy. Check the rules for your country on the IND page on translation and legalisation of documents before you order anything.
Start this early. It is usually the slowest part of the preparation, because it depends on authorities in another country.
Income evidence to include
The sponsor must show an income of at least €2,337 gross a month excluding holiday allowance (from 1 July 2026), and that it is lasting. Holiday allowance, bonuses and overtime are easy to count twice by mistake, so compare your payslip with the right column of the IND required amounts.
- Employees: recent payslips and an employment contract that still runs for at least a year, or a longer history of income.
- Self-employed: tax returns and accounts that show the income over time.
- Highly skilled migrants: your recognised sponsor can apply for your partner at the same time as your own permit.
Unsure whether your salary clears the bar? Our net salary guide explains gross, holiday allowance and what ends up on your payslip.
Partners who do not need an MVV
Some nationalities do not need an MVV to enter for a long stay. Your partner can then travel to the Netherlands first and apply for the residence permit from here, with the same conditions and the same €254 fee. Check your partner's nationality on the Netherlands Worldwide MVV page before booking anything.
Arriving before the permit is granted still means arranging a home for two. Our housing guide covers how to find one in the current market.
If the IND refuses
A refusal letter explains the reasons and states the deadline for an objection (bezwaar), which is usually 4 weeks. An objection asks the IND to look at the decision again; you can add evidence that was missing. Read the reasons carefully: a missing document is often easier to fix with a new application than with a long objection.
For a complicated refusal, a specialised lawyer can help. Our immigration lawyers guide explains how to find one through the NOvA register and when legal aid (toevoeging) applies.
International money transfers
Moving savings for the move
The IND looks at the sponsor's own income, not at transfers. If you are moving savings from abroad for the move itself, Wise converts at the mid-market rate and shows its fee before you send.
- Mid-market exchange rate
- Fee shown before you send
- Multi-currency account + debit card
- Holds EUR alongside your home currency
Affiliate link. No extra cost to you, keeps our expat guides free.
Official sources
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Dutch partner visa take?
The IND must decide within 90 days of a complete application and can extend that if it needs more information. Before that, allow time to collect, legalise and translate documents and, if your partner is not exempt, to pass the civic integration exam abroad. After approval your partner has 3 months to collect the MVV at the Dutch embassy or consulate.
How much does the partner visa cost?
The IND fee is €254 in 2026 and covers the MVV and the residence permit in one procedure. Other costs depend on your countries: legalising and translating documents, the civic integration exam abroad where required, travel, and Dutch health insurance once your partner lives here.
What income do I need to sponsor my partner?
From 1 July 2026 the IND requires €2,337 gross a month excluding holiday allowance (€2,523.96 including it). The income must be lasting, which usually means available for at least a year after you apply. The requirement is the same for Dutch sponsors and non-EU residents.
What counts as proof of a relationship?
Married couples and registered partners show the legalised certificate. Unmarried couples show that the relationship is lasting and exclusive: a shared address history, joint lease or bills, travel together, photos over time and correspondence. The IND assesses the whole picture, so a range of evidence over a longer period is stronger than a single document.
Can my partner work after arriving?
It depends on the sponsor. Partners of Dutch nationals, highly skilled migrants and self-employed sponsors (including DAFT) are free to work without a work permit. Partners of students may not work. The IND says a partner often has the same employment rights as the sponsor, and the residence document states the rules.
Do we need to be married?
No. Unmarried partners qualify with a lasting and exclusive relationship. Both partners must be at least 21, or 18 if you married while you both lived outside the Netherlands.