7 Ways to Get a Netherlands Visa by Marriage: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you’ve found love in the Netherlands and want to live with your partner, obtaining a visa is a crucial step. Whether you’re already in a long-distance relationship, married, or in a registered partnership, the Dutch government provides a pathway for foreign nationals to join their partners in the Netherlands. 

This process is known as the partner visa, and it allows foreign nationals to live and work in the country based on their relationship with a Dutch citizen or resident.

In this article, we’ll explore the seven key steps and requirements for obtaining a Netherlands visa by marriage. 

Whether you’re applying from abroad or already in the country, this guide will help you navigate the process smoothly and efficiently.

Why It Is Advisable to Apply for a Netherlands Visa by Marriage

Applying for a Netherlands visa through marriage offers numerous benefits, making it a smart option for those wishing to live together with their Dutch partner. Here are some key reasons why it’s advisable:

1. Live Together Legally

The most significant advantage is the opportunity to live together with your partner in the Netherlands. It eliminates the complications of long-distance relationships and helps you build your life together.

2. Access to Work and Education

A partner visa allows you to work and study in the Netherlands, providing opportunities for personal and professional growth in a thriving economy and top-tier educational institutions.

3. Path to Dutch Citizenship

After living in the Netherlands for a few years, you can apply for permanent residency and eventually Dutch citizenship, which opens the door to EU residency and its benefits.

4. High Standard of Living

The Netherlands offers an excellent quality of life, with access to high-quality healthcare, social security, and a vibrant, multicultural society. This can significantly enhance your well-being.

5. Cultural Integration

Living in the Netherlands exposes you to diverse cultures and encourages learning the Dutch language, which enhances both social integration and career prospects.

6. Support from Your Partner

Your Dutch spouse or partner will act as your sponsor, providing financial support, which reduces stress and ensures that you are not a burden on the state.

7. Quicker Immigration Process

Family reunification is a priority in the Netherlands, so partner visa applications are usually processed more quickly than other visa types, allowing you to start your new life sooner.

8. Legal Protection

Marriage offers legal protections, ensuring access to housing, healthcare, and other rights. In case of legal issues, being married gives you stability under Dutch law.

In conclusion, applying for a Netherlands visa by marriage is a practical and beneficial option, ensuring a smoother transition into a new life with your Dutch partner.

The seven key steps and requirements for obtaining a Netherlands visa by marriage:

1. Marriage or Registered Partnership

The first and most essential requirement for obtaining a Netherlands visa by marriage is that you must be married or have entered into a registered partnership with a Dutch citizen or a legal resident of the Netherlands. In the case of a marriage, both partners must have a legally recognized marriage certificate. 

If the relationship is not formalized through marriage but has been long-term and exclusive, you can also apply under the category of registered partnership or unmarried partners who have been in a durable, exclusive relationship.

If you are unmarried, you must prove that you have been in a long-term relationship. For example, providing evidence of regular communication, visits, and shared experiences like trips together can help prove the authenticity of your relationship. 

This documentation can include photos, travel tickets, and detailed letters explaining how and when you met.

You will need to provide these documents to the Dutch authorities to prove the legitimacy of your relationship. 

This is an important part of the visa application as authorities carefully review these details to ensure the relationship is genuine and not arranged simply for visa purposes.

2. Proof of a Long-Term Relationship

If you are not married or in a registered partnership, one of the most significant aspects of the application is proving the authenticity of your relationship. 

The Dutch immigration office requires applicants to demonstrate that they have been in a long-term, committed relationship.

To prove this, you should gather as much evidence as possible. 

This can include photographs of your time together, plane tickets from trips you’ve taken together, or copies of any communication (emails, messages, phone records) that demonstrate the duration and consistency of your relationship.

The goal is to show that the relationship has been exclusive and sustained over time. Be prepared to show documents such as:

• Photos of the couple together over time.
• Travel itineraries, hotel bookings, and flight tickets.
• Joint bank accounts or lease agreements (if applicable).
• Personal letters explaining the history and depth of the relationship.

If you are able to compile a solid case that the relationship is genuine, you increase your chances of a successful visa application.

3. Age and Relationship Duration

Another key requirement is that both partners must be over 21 years old. This is a standard condition set by the Dutch immigration authorities, and it applies whether you’re married, in a registered partnership, or living together as a long-term couple.

If either of you is younger than 21, you will be unable to apply for the partner visa, regardless of the length or strength of the relationship. 

This age requirement is strictly enforced, so make sure both you and your partner meet this criterion before applying for the visa.

4. Living Together in the Netherlands

The next essential condition is that you and your partner must be living together at the time of the application. 

You must also be registered at the same address in the Netherlands. This is to ensure that your relationship is not just a theoretical one, but one that is tangible and based in reality.

If your partner is living with their parents or in shared housing, you may need to provide evidence of your living arrangement. 

Some couples may need to move in together before applying for the visa, as living at the same address is a requirement to demonstrate that the relationship is genuine.

For example, if you are already in the Netherlands but your partner is living with their family, you may need to register at that address to fulfill this requirement. 

The registration process in the Netherlands is done at the local municipality, and the address must appear in the official records for the relationship to be considered valid.

5. Civic Integration Requirement

One of the most important conditions for obtaining a Netherlands visa by marriage is the civic integration requirement. 

This condition ensures that you are prepared to integrate into Dutch society and understand the local language and culture.

If you are applying for a partner visa, you will typically be required to pass an integration exam. This exam consists of two parts:

1. Basic Knowledge of the Dutch Language – If you are applying from outside the Netherlands, you may need to take a Dutch language test at a certified center. This is to ensure you can communicate effectively in Dutch, which is a key part of integrating into society.
2. Cultural Integration Exam – This exam tests your knowledge of Dutch society, including its values, history, and social norms. In some cases, if you are already residing in the Netherlands, you may be able to complete this exam once you have entered the country.

It’s important to note that if you have already lived in the Netherlands for a certain period (e.g., on a student visa or temporary permit), you may be exempt from some parts of the integration requirement. 

However, you will still be expected to take the language exam within a certain time frame after arriving in the country.

6. Financial Requirements and Sustainable Income

The Dutch government requires that your partner (the Dutch citizen or legal resident) must have a sufficient and stable income to support you financially during your stay in the country. 

This is to ensure that you won’t become dependent on public funds.

Your partner needs to prove that they earn enough to meet the minimum income requirements, which is usually around €1,600 to €1,700 per month (depending on the region and specific situation). 

The salary must be sustainable for at least the duration of your visa, and they must submit proof such as employment contracts, payslips, or bank statements to demonstrate this.

In some cases, if your partner does not have an income but has a guaranteed contract (for example, a contract extending beyond six months), this could still be acceptable. 

You may also need to show other financial evidence, such as savings or assets, to demonstrate that your partner can support you.

7. The Sponsorship Declaration

As part of the application, your partner will need to declare that they are your sponsor. This means that they will be responsible for ensuring you are financially supported during your time in the Netherlands. In essence, your partner will act as your financial guarantor.

This sponsorship declaration is important because it confirms that your partner understands and accepts their responsibility for you during the application process. 

It is also important because it allows the Dutch immigration office to assess whether your partner has the financial means to take care of you during your stay in the country.

In some cases, this may involve additional paperwork to clarify your partner’s financial situation or proof of their capacity to support you for the required duration.

Conclusion

Obtaining a Netherlands visa by marriage is a multi-step process that requires careful preparation and understanding of the Dutch immigration rules. 

It is essential to meet all the requirements, from proving the authenticity of your relationship to meeting the financial and civic integration conditions.

By following these seven steps and ensuring you have the necessary documentation, you increase your chances of success. 

Whether you’re applying from abroad or already residing in the Netherlands, this visa pathway allows you to live, work, and build a life with your partner in one of Europe’s most welcoming and prosperous countries.

If you’re planning to apply for a Netherlands visa by marriage, make sure to gather the correct documents, follow the steps carefully, and stay patient during the processing time. 

With the right preparation, you can make your dream of living together in the Netherlands a reality.