Independent, sustainable and sufficient income

Last update: 26 March 2024

A requirement for a residence permit is that you have income. The income must be independent, sustainable and sufficient. These are the income requirements. You will find out on this page how to meet the income requirements if you have different types of income. And when you have an exemption from the income requirements.

The income requirements

Your income must meet these 3 requirements:

  • Your income is independent. This means that you pay taxes and national insurance contributions on your income. 
  • Your income is sustainable. This means that you will receive the income long enough. 
  • Your income is sufficient. This means that your income is high enough. The IND uses required amounts to determine whether your income is high enough. Your income is sufficient, if it is at least as much as the required amount. The required amounts vary per residence permit. See the required amounts per residence permit.

Income requirements per type of income

There are different types of income. For example from work in paid employment, from one’s own business, from benefit or from assets. The type of income determines exactly what the income requirements are. 

Do you have several sources of income? And does each income meet the applicable rules? In that case you may add up these incomes. The added-up incomes together must at least be equal to the required amount that belongs to the residence permit.

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  • Income requirements for income from work in paid employment

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  • Income requirements for self-employed income

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  • Income requirements for income from benefit

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  • Income requirements for income from assets

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  • Income requirements for other types of income

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Also count income of partner or parents

Sometimes you may also count the income of your partner or parents. This is only allowed in the following situations:

  • When applying for a residence permit for a minor child or adopted/foster child
  • When applying for a permanent residence permit
  • When you are a declared sponsor for a foreign student
  • When you are a declared sponsor in case of a medical treatment

You and your partner or parents have to meet the following requirements:

  • You live together with your partner in The Netherlands. Or you live with your parents in The Netherlands.
  • Your partner or parent is a Dutch citizen or has a Dutch residence permit.
  • All incomes must be independent and sustainable. Added up these incomes are at least equal to the required amount the applies for that residence permit. 

For all other applications you yourself must have independent, sustainable and sufficient incomep

Exemptions from income requirements

Do you want to apply for a residence permit for your family member or partner? Or are you applying for a permanent residence permit? In certain situations you do not have to meet the income requirements. In that case you will get an exemption.

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  • Exemptions when you apply for a residence permit for a family member or partner

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  • Exemptions when you apply for a permanent residence permit

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Income test for residence permit for partner

Do you want to apply for a residence permit for your partner? And do you want to know whether your income is sufficient? Take the income test to find out. Use this income test to check for yourself whether your income meets the requirements. This test is not decisive. The IND will assess your income after you submit your application.

Documents you need to do the test

In the test, you answer questions about your income. So it is helpful to have information about your income ready. For example: 

  • salary slips; 
  • contract; 
  • benefit statements;  
  • your profit for the last years. 

You will have to send these documents with your application as well.

Several incomes

Do you have more than one income? Start the income test with your highest income. What if this income is not high enough, but it meets the other requirements? Then do the income test again for your other income. If this income also meets the requirements, then add the incomes together.

Start income test