Family Reunification

Under the family reunification scheme it is possible to bring a partner, spouse, or (minor) child to the Netherlands. These family members may qualify for a residence permit based on family reunification. This requires the so-called “Admission and Residence Procedure,” also known as the TEV procedure.

Needless to say this also applies to to non-heterosexual couples.

The conditions are as follows:
  • Your income as a sponsor (referred to as a referent by the IND) must be sufficient and sustainable.
  • Sufficient means an income equal to the minimum wage (as of January 2026) equal to €2294,40 per month excluding holiday allowance) and €2477,95 including holiday allowance. This concerns the social security salary (in Dutch: sociaalverzekeringsloon or sv-loon in short), also referred to as taxable income or withholding income. Note that the SV-income is often slightly lower than the gross income. The SV-income can be found on the salary specification. (In an upcoming blog post, we will further explore what else qualifies as sufficient)
  • Sustainable means you are employed with at least a one-year contract or an indefinite contract. For an entrepreneur, an income is considered sustainable if they have had at least a gross profit equal to the minimum wage for the 18 months prior to the application. (In an upcoming blog post, we will further explore what else qualifies as sustainable.)
  • For persons over 67 years of age or permanently disabled, the income requirement is waived.
  • Your partner/spouse must have successfully taken the Basic Civic Integration Examination abroad at a Dutch representation (embassy/consulate) in the country of origin. (For information about the civic integration exam, you can visit the website of the Dutch government, ikwilnaarnederland.nl. Among others, Americans, Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders, Japanese, and South Koreans are exempt from this requirement. This has to do with the fact that this category is allowed to lodge the application while being here in the Netherlands.
  • The age requirement for the family reunification of partners and spouses is 21 years. Partners and spouses younger than 21 cannot use family reunification. (This entails that both partners must be at least 21 years of age.)

For more information on aspects related to family reunification with children, refer to this blog post.

We frequently are asked if family reunification for a senior parent is possible. Unfortunately, this is generally not the case. Only in cases where the IND deems that there are ‘more than normal emotional ties’ will it make an exception. However, this threshold is met in situations where the parent is exceptionally dependent on the sponsor and where there is no alternative available in the country of origin by means of for instance another child residing there or by means of available extra healthcare. For EU nationals residing here in the Netherlands it is, however, possible to reunite with a parent, or both parents who are financially dependent on him or her.

Chavez

In cases where a third-country parent plays a caregiving role for a child with Dutch nationality, they may also invoke the Chavez Vilchez ruling. This has the advantage that there is no income requirement, and they are exempt from the MVV requirement. This means the application can be submitted in the Netherlands, and they are allowed to await the decision here.

However, they must prove that they genuinely fulfill a caregiving role in the life of the child.

For questions about what Arslan|Lit attorneys can do in a family reunification procedure (TEV), you can email us at info@arslanlitadvocaten.nl or call us at +31(0)20 223 2466. You can also contact us via one of the social media channels listed on this page. We are happy to assist you.