Many foreign professionals in the Netherlands want their spouse or partner to join them, and the first question is usually whether the relationship alone is enough. A partner residence permit in the Netherlands is granted by the IND when the sponsor living in the Netherlands has sufficient and sustainable income, both partners are generally 21 or older, and the relationship is a recognised marriage, registered partnership or proven long-term unmarried relationship. Nationals of many countries, including Turkey, must also obtain an MVV (provisional residence visa) before entry.
In practice, most refusals stem from documentary gaps rather than from the relationship itself. An income contract that ends too soon, an unlegalised marriage certificate or weak proof of cohabitation can each lead to a negative decision.
Every case differs, so the requirements below should be checked against your own documents and the current conditions on the IND website.
What are the requirements for a partner residence permit in the Netherlands?
The IND assesses both the sponsor (the person already living in the Netherlands) and the foreign partner. Both partners must meet the conditions at the time of application, and the sponsor’s conditions must remain fulfilled while the permit is valid.
Conditions for the sponsor
- The sponsor must be a Dutch citizen or hold a valid Dutch residence permit with a purpose that allows family members to join.
- The sponsor must have sufficient and sustainable income, in principle at least the standard amount published by the IND.
- The sponsor must sign a declaration on public order and sponsorship obligations.
Sponsor income for the partner permit
Income is generally considered sustainable if it remains available for at least 12 months after the application date. If the employment contract ends sooner, the IND may look at the sponsor’s income history instead. Sponsors who have reached state pension (AOW) age or who are permanently unable to work may be exempt, subject to conditions.
Sponsors holding a highly skilled migrant permit often satisfy the income test through their salary, because the current monthly gross threshold is €5.942 for those aged 30 and over and €4.357 for those under 30. Details are set out in our overview of the highly skilled migrant requirements.
Conditions for the foreign partner
- A valid passport and, where required, an MVV application through the TEV procedure.
- Willingness to undergo a tuberculosis test, depending on nationality.
- No serious criminal record.
- Passing the civic integration exam abroad, unless an exemption applies; Turkish nationals are generally exempt under the EU-Turkey association arrangements.
Spouse residence permit or unmarried partner residence permit in the Netherlands?
The legal form of the relationship determines which evidence the IND expects. A spouse residence permit in the Netherlands relies on official civil-status documents, whereas an unmarried partner residence permit relies on evidence of a lasting, exclusive relationship.
| Relationship | Main proof | Common pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage | Legalised or apostilled marriage certificate, translated where required | Foreign marriage not yet registered or legalised |
| Registered partnership | Registered partnership certificate | Foreign partnership not recognised as equivalent |
| Unmarried long-term relationship | Joint address registration, shared tenancy, joint child or other cohabitation evidence | Insufficient evidence of an exclusive, lasting relationship |
Note: neither partner may be married to someone else, and the IND may investigate sham marriages or relationships of convenience.
The permit is linked to the sponsor’s status. If the sponsor loses a job, the family permit can come under review, which makes the sponsor’s own job search period relevant for the partner as well.
Practical steps and how to avoid a rejected partner permit
When the IND rejects a partner permit, the cause can usually be traced to the preparation stage. The following sequence reduces that risk.
- Check whether the foreign partner needs an MVV; if so, the sponsor generally files the TEV application with the IND from the Netherlands.
- Gather recent payslips, the employment contract and an employer’s statement showing the income runs for at least 12 months.
- Legalise or apostille civil-status documents and arrange sworn translations into Dutch, English, French or German.
- For unmarried partners, compile cohabitation evidence covering a meaningful period, such as tenancy agreements and municipal registrations.
- Submit the application, pay the fee and keep copies of every document filed.
If the partner permit is rejected by the IND
An objection (bezwaar) must generally be filed within 4 weeks of the date of the decision. The objection should address each refusal ground specifically and add missing evidence where possible. A new application is sometimes faster than an objection, but this depends on the refusal ground, so the decision letter should be reviewed carefully before choosing a route.
Sponsors who are negotiating a dismissal should also consider the impact on the family file. A severance arrangement or transition payment does not replace ongoing income for the IND’s sustainable-income test.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the IND take to decide on a partner visa in the Netherlands?
The IND must decide within a statutory period of 90 days, which can be extended in some cases.
- Incomplete files usually delay the decision.
- Respond promptly to any IND request for additional documents.
- Sponsors applying with a recognised employer often benefit from a faster procedure; see the kennismigrant permit rules.
Can my partner work in the Netherlands on a partner permit?
Generally yes; the partner permit normally allows the holder to work without a separate work permit.
- The residence card states the labour market access.
- Check the card wording before signing a contract.
- New employees may also ask about the 30% ruling for residents.
What happens to the partner permit if the sponsor loses their job?
The partner permit may be reviewed if the sponsor no longer has sufficient income or a valid status.
- A highly skilled sponsor has up to 3 months to find work with less than 2 years on the permit, and up to 6 months with 2 years or more.
- Report changes to the IND where required.
- Review residence consequences before signing any dismissal after sick leave.
Is cohabitation required for an unmarried partner residence permit?
Proof of a lasting, exclusive relationship is required, and cohabitation evidence is usually the strongest form of it.
- Joint tenancy or address registration carries significant weight.
- A shared child is also accepted as evidence.
- Photos and messages alone are rarely sufficient.
Does a severance payment count as sponsor income?
A one-off severance payment generally does not count as sustainable income for the partner permit.
- The IND looks at ongoing, regular income.
- Unemployment benefits through UWV may be assessed differently.
Next steps for your partner residence permit application
A partner residence permit in the Netherlands depends on three verifiable elements: the sponsor’s status, sufficient and sustainable income, and a properly documented relationship. Each element must be supported by current, legalised and, where needed, translated evidence.
Before filing, check whether an MVV is required, confirm that the sponsor’s income meets the IND standard for at least 12 months, and assemble relationship evidence that matches your situation. If the IND has already refused the application, note the 4-week objection deadline and review each refusal ground against the documents you can still provide. Because dates, contracts and personal circumstances differ in every file, an individual legal review can help identify weaknesses before the IND does.