--- title: "Netherlands Spouse of a citizen 2026: income €2,337+/mo needed" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/spouse-of-citizen/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-11 --- Netherlands · Spouse visas # Netherlands Spouse of a citizen **Income needed:** €2,337+ a month ≈ $2,610 Residence permit for partner of a Dutch national (MVV and residence permit, type I temporary regular permit) First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Income needed:** €2,337+ a month ≈ $2,610 (Income of at least EUR 2,337 a month (≈ $2,610) · Sponsor gross social-security (SV) salary per month without holiday allowance, valid 1 July to 31 December 2026; EUR2,523.96 per month with holiday allowance. A fee of EUR 254 (≈ $280) · IND application fee for the partner residence permit.) - **First stay:** 5 yrs (Five years for the partner of a Dutch national; a type I temporary regular permit that can be extended and, after five years, followed by a permanent residence permit.) - **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals.) ## Key facts Spouse of a citizen is a spouse visas route for Netherlands. Applicants need income of €2,337+ a month ≈ $2,610. You can stay 5 yrs, renewable. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source. - **Money needed:** €2,337+ a month ≈ $2,610 - **Government fees:** €254 ≈ $280 - **Processing:** Up to 90 days - **First stay:** 5 yrs ## Cost, time and long term To apply: income to show €2,337+/mo ≈ $2,610; decision: up to 90 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: €254 ≈ $280** - EUR 254 (≈ $280) IND application fee for the partner residence permit. **Shown, not spent: €2,337+/mo ≈ $2,610** - EUR 2,337 a month (≈ $2,610) Sponsor gross social-security (SV) salary per month without holiday allowance, valid 1 July to 31 December 2026; EUR2,523.96 (≈ $2,820) per month with holiday allowance. **Renewal: Renewable** Extend online before the permit expires. [Immigration and Naturalisation Service](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) **Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence** After 5 years on a family-based residence permit your partner can apply for a permanent residence permit. [Immigration and Naturalisation Service](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) **Citizenship: After 5 years of residence** Naturalisation needs 5 consecutive years in the Kingdom of the Netherlands on a valid residence permit, a permit with a non-temporary purpose when you apply, and the civic integration exam at level A2. [Immigration and Naturalisation Service](https://ind.nl/en/dutch-citizenship/becoming-a-dutch-national-through-naturalisation) **Processing: Up to 90 days** The IND must decide within 90 days. [Immigration and Naturalisation Service](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) **Where to apply: Abroad or in-country** Apply from within the Netherlands, or your partner applies at a Dutch embassy or consulate abroad, requesting the entry visa (MVV) and permit together. [Immigration and Naturalisation Service](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports - Some ways in have an age limit ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - Applicant and sponsor have valid passports or travel documents. - The relationship is verifiable: married, registered partners, or unmarried partners. - Both partners are at least 21, or at least 18 if they were already married while both lived outside the Netherlands. - The partners will live together in the Netherlands and register at the same address with the municipality. - The sponsor signs a declaration of sponsorship in the application form. - The applicant is not a danger to public order or national security. - The sponsor holds Dutch nationality; Dutch law applies to Dutch nationals bringing a partner to the Netherlands. #### What you must show - The sponsor earns at least EUR2,337.00 (≈ $2,610) gross SV salary per month, or EUR2,523.96 (≈ $2,820) with holiday allowance. #### Documents - Antecedents certificate completed by everyone over 12 and enclosed with the application. - Official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German. #### Steps 1. The applicant passes the civic integration exam abroad before applying for the MVV, unless exempt. 2. The sponsor applies for the residence permit and the MVV together, online with DigiD or by post; the fee is EUR254 (≈ $280). 3. The IND decides within 90 days; the applicant collects the MVV sticker within 3 months of the decision. #### After you arrive - After arrival the applicant takes a TB test at the GGD within 3 months, unless the nationality is exempt. ## When you become tax resident How Netherlands decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Stay on this route:** **5 years at first, renewable** - **Tax residence:** Residence determined by durable ties to the Netherlands rather than a fixed day count. - **Income tax:** Work and home income for people under retirement age: 35.75% up to EUR38,883, (≈ $43,400) 37.56% to EUR78,426 (≈ $87,600) and 49.5% above. [All tax rules for Netherlands](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/tax/) Tax records checked 12 Oct 2026 **Full official text** For the foreign spouse, registered partner or unmarried partner of a Dutch citizen. It gives a five-year residence permit with free access to work, after an MVV entry visa where required. (sources 1, 2) #### What you must show and pay - Income of at least EUR 2,337 a month (≈ $2,610) · Sponsor gross social-security (SV) salary per month without holiday allowance, valid 1 July to 31 December 2026; EUR2,523.96 (≈ $2,820) per month with holiday allowance. (sources 1, 2) - A fee of EUR 254 (≈ $280) · IND application fee for the partner residence permit. (source 1) #### Requirements - Applicant and sponsor have valid passports or travel documents. (sources 1, 2) - The relationship is verifiable: married, registered partners, or unmarried partners. (sources 1, 2) - Both partners are at least 21, or at least 18 if they were already married while both lived outside the Netherlands. (sources 1, 2) - The partners will live together in the Netherlands and register at the same address with the municipality. (sources 1, 2) - The sponsor signs a declaration of sponsorship in the application form. (sources 1, 2) - The applicant is not a danger to public order or national security. (sources 1, 2) - The sponsor holds Dutch nationality; Dutch law applies to Dutch nationals bringing a partner to the Netherlands. (sources 1, 2) - The sponsor earns at least EUR2,337.00 (≈ $2,610) gross SV salary per month, or EUR2,523.96 (≈ $2,820) with holiday allowance. (sources 1, 2) - Antecedents certificate completed by everyone over 12 and enclosed with the application. (sources 1, 2) - Official foreign documents legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German. (sources 1, 2) - The applicant passes the civic integration exam abroad before applying for the MVV, unless exempt. (sources 1, 2) - The sponsor applies for the residence permit and the MVV together, online with DigiD or by post; the fee is EUR254 (≈ $280). (sources 1, 2) - The IND decides within 90 days; the applicant collects the MVV sticker within 3 months of the decision. (sources 1, 2) - After arrival the applicant takes a TB test at the GGD within 3 months, unless the nationality is exempt. (sources 1, 2) #### Stay - Five years for the partner of a Dutch national; a type I temporary regular permit that can be extended and, after five years, followed by a permanent residence permit. - Initial permitted stay: 60 months. - Visa validity: 3 months. Validity is the window to use the visa, not the length you may stay. - Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal. #### Nationality Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. #### Work Free to work: the permit states that a work permit (TWV) is not required. Checked 2026-10-11 ## Official sources 1. [Residence permit for partner](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Required amounts: income requirements (valid 2026)](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation](https://ind.nl/en/dutch-citizenship/becoming-a-dutch-national-through-naturalisation) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11 ## Spouse of a citizen and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Spouse of a citizen | Needs income of €2,337+ a month ≈ $2,610 | 5 yr, renewable | – | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) | Needs income of €2,337+ a month ≈ $2,610 | – | No | | [Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/spouse-of-citizen/) Portugal | – | – | – | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/family-reunification/) Spain | Needs income of €900+ a month ≈ $1,010 | – | Yes | | [Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Spouse of a citizen? Income of at least EUR 2,337 a month (≈ $2,610). Sponsor gross social-security (SV) salary per month without holiday allowance, valid 1 July to 31 December 2026; EUR2,523.96 (≈ $2,820) per month with holiday allowance. A fee of EUR 254 (≈ $280). IND application fee for the partner residence permit. ### How long can I stay on the Spouse of a citizen? Five years for the partner of a Dutch national; a type I temporary regular permit that can be extended and, after five years, followed by a permanent residence permit. ### How long does the Spouse of a citizen take to process? The IND must decide within 90 days. ### Can I work on the Spouse of a citizen? Free to work: the permit states that a work permit (TWV) is not required. ### Who can apply for the Spouse of a citizen? Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia. ### Does the Spouse of a citizen lead to permanent residence in Netherlands? Time on the Spouse of a citizen counts toward permanent residence in Netherlands, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Spouse of a citizen counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. ### How are Spouse of a citizen holders taxed in Netherlands? No special regime in our records is tied to the Spouse of a citizen. The standard rules apply: Work and home income for people under retirement age: 35.75% up to EUR38,883, (≈ $43,400) 37.56% to EUR78,426 (≈ $87,600) and 49.5% above. ## More in Netherlands [Orientation year (zoekjaar)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/orientation-year/) [Working Holiday](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/working-holiday/) [DAFT self-employed](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/daft-self-employed/) [Self-employed permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/self-employed-residence/) [Startup permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/startup-residence-permit/) [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/eu-blue-card/) [Start-up personnel permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/essential-startup-personnel/) [Highly Skilled Migrant](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/highly-skilled-migrant/) ## Spouse and partner visas elsewhere [🇮🇹 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇷 Spouse of a citizen](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/spouse-of-citizen/) [🇫🇷 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇬🇧 Fiancé visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/fiance-visa/) [🇨🇾 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) [🇦🇱 Spouse of a resident](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/albania/spouse-of-permanent-resident/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-11 against 3 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Residence permit for partner](https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/family-and-partner/residence-permit-for-partner) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11 2. [Required amounts: income requirements (valid 2026)](https://ind.nl/en/required-amounts-income-requirements) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation](https://ind.nl/en/dutch-citizenship/becoming-a-dutch-national-through-naturalisation) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.