EU nationals and their families in the Netherlands (Holland)
Free movement of people is one of the most important principle of the existence of the European Union. All EU citizens and their family members may travel, work or live in any country of the European Union. In order to do that they must have a valid passport or identification document. The Dutch (Netherlands) visa in this case will never be requested (only for EU nationals). In some countries, as it is the case with the Netherlands (Holland), EU nationals may be requested to be registered with a local authorities. In the Netherlands (Holland) they have to be registered in the municipality (Gemeentehuis) within 5 days after arrival provided that they want to stay longer than 4 months in the Netherlands (Holland). EU citizens and their family members do no need to register by the Dutch (Netherlands) IND during 3 months after arrival.
Free movement of people is one of the most important principle of the existence of the European Union. All EU citizens and their family members may travel, work or live in any country of the European Union. In order to do that they must have a valid passport or identification document. The Dutch (Netherlands) visa in this case will never be requested (only for EU nationals). In some countries, as it is the case with the Netherlands (Holland), EU nationals may be requested to be registered with a local authorities. In the Netherlands (Holland) they have to be registered in the municipality (Gemeentehuis) within 5 days after arrival provided that they want to stay longer than 4 months in the Netherlands (Holland). EU citizens and their family members do not need to register by the Dutch (Netherlands) IND during 3 months after arrival.
The notion "family members” include: the spouse, registered partner, dependents from spouse or partner, descendants younger than 21. Family members of EU nationals enjoy the same rights as EU nationals. However, they need a short-visa to enter the EU. They may request a short-stay visa in the embassy or consulate of their country. The visa will be granted quickly on the free basis.
EU nationals and their family members wishing to stay for more than 3 months in the Netherlands (Holland) have to satisfy the following conditions:
- Be employed or self-employed;
- or have sufficient financial means (plus health insurance) to support their stay in the Netherlands (Holland), while not creating a financial burden for the state;
- or be a family member of an EU national who satisfies above-mentioned requirements.
EU citizens and their family members may obtain an indefinite Dutch (Netherlands) residence permit after 5 years of continuous (uninterrupted) stay in the Netherlands (Holland). Family members, who live with EU nationals enjoy the same rights.
In order to get an indefinite residence permit no other conditions (except of legal stay) are required to be satisfied. There is no need to pass a civic integration exam.
After obtaining an indefinite residence permit, EU nationals and their family members enjoy the same treatment as Dutch (Netherlands) citizens (with certain exemptions).
The right on indefinite residence permit may be lost in the case of more than 2 years absence from the Netherlands (Holland).
