Recent immigration policies have had a significant impact on those wishing to bring their family to the Netherlands or join a partner. The costs are considerably higher for these migrants than for newcomers coming for work or study. If you come to the Netherlands to form or join a family, you may need to follow an integration programme. Check with the IND for the latest information and prices.

Family members of expats living in or coming to the Netherlands with a residence permit for work or highly skilled migrants do not need the integration programme.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and family members

You need to register at the GBA. When you (plan to) reside for more than three months in the Netherlands, you are required after three months to register at the IND. You must ensure that all appropriate documentation (marriage certificates, birth certificates for you and your children etc.) is duly stamped with an apostil if this is relevant to the country and that you have valid passports for all family members. The IND doesn't charge for this. Bulgarian and Romanian citizens can submit an application for verification with community law at the IND. This applies to Romanian and Bulgarian nationals who would like to have independent residence based on the European Community law, or non-EU family members of EU/EEA/Swiss nationals, this application is compulsory and costs EUR 43.

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and their family members do not need a work permit. This does not apply to Bulgarian and Romanian citizens. For more information please see www.ind.nl or www.szw.nl.

Non-EU/EEA

All non-EU/EEA /Swiss nationals must have their own residence permits. The family rate is EUR 1250 for the first applicant and EUR 250 for each family member. Simultaneous application as a family is cheaper. The employee pays EUR 600 and EUR 250 for each family member.  These rates are subject to frequent change, so it is best to refer to www.ind.nl.

Partners of highly skilled migrants do not need a work permit and will usually get a residence permit valid for a year; children get the same permit conditions as the highly skilled migrant.

Significant conditions

You must be able to prove you can support your family. The IND publishes a table of required income rates. If you, along with your family, come to the Netherlands as an employee, your contract will be sufficient to meet the requirements regardless of the length of employment.

Au pairs

Bringing an au pair to the Netherlands is restricted. One of the key rules is that the au pair cannot have worked for your family abroad previously, and if your au pair overstays you will be held responsible for repatriation costs. An au pair stays in the Netherlands for one year for the purpose of cultural exchange and is not allowed to work. The IND website (www.ind.nl) has a separate section for au pairs who wish to come to the Netherlands as well as forms and guidelines for those who want to sponsor one. Below are some general facts; consult the IND website for more details.

Au pair: Over 18 and under 26; unmarried with no dependents; only light domestic duties to assist the host family with a maximum of hours: 8/day, 30/week, 2 days off, expenses max. EUR 340 per month; appropriate health insurance, TB test if necessary; no previous Dutch residence permit.

Sponsor: Sufficient income to support family and au pair; signature on sponsor document; daily schedule for au pair.

The Netherlands Au Pair Organisation (www.napoweb.nl/) has a useful portal. They are a member of umbrella organisation IAPA (www.iapa.org) where you can track down a reputable agency to help you through the bureaucracy.
 

Childcare (kinderopvang)

It is never too early to register your child fordaycare; for instance, when you are pregnant.Governmental policy (in English) can be foundon the ministry site www.ocw.nl.

For further information, read our basic guide to the childcare system in the Netherlands.

For more information on permits, read our related article 'A guide to Dutch immigration and residency regulations' 

Visit our Education channel for the lowdown on education in the Netherlands.