Family and partner

How does coming to the Netherlands work for family or partner?

A practical explanation about family migration, partner route, conditions, documents and the role of MVV, IND and basic foreign exam.

Full guide by section

How does coming to the Netherlands work for family or partner?

For many people, family migration or partner residence is the route to the Netherlands. It is precisely here that documents, income requirements and sometimes also basic exam abroad often play a major role.

01

Which usually counts as evidence in family and partner routes

The contents of the package depend on nationality, route and exceptions, but these four layers are often recurring.

  • Relationship or family bond must be convincingly substantiated.
  • The residence status and sometimes the income of the sponsor can be decisive.
  • Before departure, MVV and basic civic integration exam abroad may become relevant, but not in every situation.
  • After arrival, attention often shifts to registration, length of stay and possible integration.

02

What people often make a mistake about

Admission

This concerns whether you can come and what conditions apply.

Preparation before departure

May include basic civic integration exam abroad and document preparation, but not for everyone.

Life after arrival

Only later opens questions about the municipality, extension, housing and sometimes integration.

03

Don't blindly compare with family or friends

Nationality, exceptions and residence status make a big difference in family migration. Two similar stories can still legally end up in a different route.

Sources and references

Sources and references

A practical explanation about family migration, partner route, conditions, documents and the role of MVV, IND and basic foreign exam.

IND family migration

Main source for partner and family conditions.

ind.nl/

Netherlands Worldwide

Practical for application steps outside the Netherlands.

www.nederlandwereldwijd.nl/

To the Netherlands

Well-known starting point for information about preparation and basic exam abroad.

www.naarnederland.nl/

Frequently asked questions

Important questions that come up often

Use these short answers as your first orientation, then open the matching guide for more detail.

Does each partner have to take a basic exam first?

No. That depends on nationality, route and exceptions. Therefore, always check the current rules on the official websites.

Is family migration the same as integration?

No. Family migration is first about admission and residence. Integration may then become relevant, but it is a different step.

Which site do you use when you are still abroad?

Usually IND for the conditions and the Netherlands Worldwide for the application practice via embassy or consulate.

KNM is our active practice offer today, while the information pages already cover the wider integration landscape.

Our current offer

Practice with our KNM questions now and use this information hub for the rest of your path

Right now we mainly offer KNM practice. The information hub still helps with routes, official information, and broader integration questions.

Related pages

Related guides and next steps

These links move you to the next logical question in your integration journey.

MVV and basic exam abroad

Continue with the conditions often associated with this route.

Read guide

Where can you find official information?

Handy if your route already leads to residence and integration in the Netherlands.

Read guide

What routes are there to get to the Netherlands?

A broad overview of the main roads to the Netherlands: family, work, study, asylum, EU free movement and combinations with residence or integration rules.

Read guide