Netherlands Dependent Visa Cost After Work Visa 2026
The process of taking your loved ones to the Netherlands is a sort of milestone where you are actually starting your life in the foreign country. But by 1 January 2026, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) will revise its fee and income requirements. It is essential to negotiate such changes so that your family can have its residence permit processed on time.
Provided you are a work visa holder (e.g., Highly Skilled Migrant or Blue Card holder) intending to sponsor your partner or children, the guide has divided the dependent visa cost in the Netherlands in 2026; it contains the fees which are mandatory, income requirements, and concealed relocation costs.
Sponsor Income Requirements (2026 thresholds)
You have to demonstrate that your income is sufficient, as well as sustainable, to sponsor a dependent. These figures are updated after every six months by the IND. Validity of the following thresholds is between January 1, 2026, and June 30, 2026.
- Sponsor with Partner: A gross of €2,477.95 per month inclusive of 8% holiday allowance.
- Single Parent Sponsor: €1,734.57 gross monthly (8 per cent holiday allowance).
- Sustainability Rule: The time of application should be at least 12 months of employment under the new contract.
- SV-loon Check: IND checks the Social Security Wage in your payslip and confirms that it is within the legal minimum.
Ancillary Setup Costs
The visa cost is not more than the sticker price. A successful move to relocate a family to the Netherlands in 2026 will have the following semantically related costs:
- Legalization of documents/Apostille: 50-150 per document. The home country should legalize marriage and birth certificates.
- Certified Translations: €40 -100 per page. All the documents that are not in English, Dutch, French, or German need a sworn translator.
- TB Test (Tuberculosis): €50 – €100. Forced to apply to certain nationalities within 3 months of their arrival.
- Health Insurance (Dependent): €159+/ month. Though children below 18 are covered in your policy free, they are still to be registered. Spouses should have their basic Dutch healthcare policy.
Technical Terms for 2026 Filings
The confusion can be avoided in the process of TEV by using the right terminology in your application.
- Family Reunification: This is the legal classification of joining a family member.
- Form 7601 (Appendix Antecedents Certificate), which is required to all dependents over 12, stating that he has no criminal record.
- Civic Integration Exam Exemption: The majority of partners of Highly Skilled Migrants do not have to pay the integration exam of 150 euro – which is a major misunderstanding of new expats.
FAQ
Does my partner have an opportunity to work on a dependent visa?
Yes. In case you have a visa as a Highly Skilled Migrant or Blue Card, then your partner is typically issued with a permit which says: Work freely permitted, no work permit required.
What is the duration of the IND processing time in 2026?
Although the legal status quo is 90 days, the existing 2026 projections indicate that it takes 4-8 weeks to fully digitize applications.
Final Thoughts
Relocating your family to the Netherlands in 2026 is an investment in a future defined by high quality of life, safety, and a world-renowned work-life balance. While the €254 partner fee and €2,477.95 income threshold are the immediate hurdles, the true success of your move lies in early preparation and understanding the administrative landscape.
Disclaimer
This paper is informational and educational in nature. It is recommended that the readers should check the information in credible sources, i.e. in the official IND web page or in a registered immigration lawyer in the Netherlands, but only then.