Can My Spouse and Children Join Me on a Dutch Startup Visa?

Two files, not one stamp

The IND family and partner pages are the starting point. The partner page is a questionnaire: nationality of the partner, your nationality, and whether they already have a Dutch permit. Complete it for your actual situation. Do not rely on a blog to skip that wizard.

You are the sponsor for the family application. The IND will look at the relationship, identity documents, and whether you meet the income/means rules that apply to that family route. Those rules are not identical to the start-up founder’s own means test. Confirm both on the IND.

Fees (2026, confirm before you pay)

The IND fees page lists, under family:

• Stay with a family member, including partner: €254 for a first application, change of purpose, or extension (2026)
• Child under 18 with a parent: €85 for a first application, change of purpose, or extension (2026)

The founder’s own start-up fee is listed separately (€423 for a first start-up application in 2026). Fees change on 1 January.

Timing and location

Family can often apply together with you or later. Whether they wait abroad or in The Netherlands depends on nationality and MVV rules. RVO’s start-up application page is about the founder. For family entry visas, use IND and NetherlandsWorldwide.

Do not assume children can start school the week you land. Municipal registration (BRP), BSN, and school places follow arrival.

After the start-up year

The founder’s permit is one year. Family residence tied to you does not create a second start-up year. If you move to a self-employed permit, family applications have to follow that new basis. If you do not obtain another residence basis, family members do not keep an independent right just because they came with a start-up founder.

See what happens after the year and whether a spouse can work.

NLVentureDesk helps founders prepare the start-up file and landing. We are not a law firm and we do not decide family applications.