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EU-law verification — unmarried durable partner of Union citizen

NetherlandsFamily

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

Official link

Which family relationships qualify?

The unmarried partner of a Union citizen who has lived together with them for at least 6 continuous months before the application or decision, or, if not yet living together for 6 months, has had a sustainable relationship with them for at least 6 months before the application or decision.

See recorded sources

Who may sponsor or bring the family member, and what immigration/citizenship status must that person hold?

A Union citizen (national of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland) with legal residency in the Netherlands: a valid EU/EEA or Swiss passport or identity card, insurance for healthcare expenses and sufficient income. A Dutch citizen only qualifies as sponsor under EU law if they have used the right to free movement of persons.

See recorded sources

What is important for proving marriage, partnership, parentage, custody, dependency or another qualifying relationship?

Proof of at least 6 months of living together, or of a sustainable relationship of at least 6 months, for example proof of a joint household or joint financial obligations; official foreign documents must be legalised and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • the specific document list sits behind the IND document-overview questionnaire, which was not captured

What important financial, accommodation, insurance or maintenance responsibilities apply?

The Union citizen must have insurance for healthcare expenses and sufficient income. Applying for (supplementary) public funds such as social assistance benefit can lead the IND to stop legal residency. The official source does not state the income amount or an accommodation requirement.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • page does not quantify the income level on this page (links to separate income page) and is silent on accommodation

How does the application work at a high level, what rights does the family member receive, how long does the status last, and how can it become independent or longer-term where officially stated?

Verification against EU law can only be applied for from within the Netherlands (a free Schengen visa facilitation may be needed to travel), online or by post. The IND decides within 6 months, and a residence endorsement sticker shows lawful stay during the process. The EU/EEA family member residence document allows work without a work permit and is valid for 5 years; it cannot be extended, but verification can be applied for again. Residence may continue after 5 years or more in the Netherlands, or if the Union citizen dies, the Union-citizen parent of a child leaves or dies, or the marriage or relationship ends. After 5 consecutive years meeting the requirements, permanent residency can be applied for.

See recorded sources

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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