Asylum family reunification
nuclear family only; extra rules for subsidiary protection since 12 Jun 2026 · Official name: Nareis (asylum family reunification) under the Two-Status System Act
Holders of a Dutch asylum residence permit can apply for their married partner and children under 18 to join them. Since the Two-Status System Act took effect on 12 Jun 2026, refugees (A status) and people with subsidiary protection (B status) have different rules. Refugees must apply within 3 months of receiving their permit. People with subsidiary protection must also have sufficient, long-term independent income and housing, and a 2-year waiting period applies. Unmarried partners, adult children and foster children no longer qualify through this route. Applications for the nuclear family are free; the IND has 9 months to decide.
Life in Netherlands
Finance
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
87
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
35.75–49.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 21%
Box 1 rates include national insurance premiums: 35.75% to EUR 38,883 (8.10% tax + 27.65% premiums), 37.56% to EUR 78,426, 49.50% above; lower first-bracket rate after state pension age.
Living
1
Happiness
#7 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Married partners and biological or adopted children under 18 of asylum permit holders in the Netherlands; parents (and siblings under 18 applied for at the same time) of people who arrived as unaccompanied minors.
Eligibility
Who can sponsorSponsor
Sign in to check this route against your profileA holder of a Dutch asylum residence permit (refugee status or subsidiary protection). The IND prefers that the sponsor applies in the Netherlands for the family member.
Nuclear family onlyFamily member
Sign in to check this route against your profileOnly your married partner and biological or adopted children under 18 count as family; limited rules apply for unaccompanied minors.
- Siblings under 18 only if applying together with the parents
- Unmarried partners, adult children and foster children are no longer eligible
- Other relatives may apply under Article 8 ECHR instead
Official wording
Married partner and biological or adopted children under 18. If you arrived without parents and applied for asylum before 18: your parents, and your siblings under 18 only if you apply for your parents at the same time. Unmarried partners, adult children and foster children are no longer eligible under the new law; other relatives may apply under Article 8 ECHR instead.
Refugees (A status): 3-month deadlineRefugees
Sign in to check this route against your profileApply within 3 months after receiving the asylum residence permit, counted from the positive asylum decision.
3 months
Refugee application deadline
- Family members aged 12 and over make a public order and national security declaration
- The declaration is the Antecedents Certificate, form 7601
Official wording
Apply within 3 months after receiving the asylum residence permit (counted from the positive asylum decision). Family members aged 12 and over make a declaration about public order and national security (Antecedents Certificate, form 7601).
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