Bringing Your Family to Europe on a Work Permit: EU Rules, Germany, France and the Netherlands
If you move to Europe for work, the next question is usually when your partner and children can follow. EU law sets a common floor, but each country adds its own waiting periods, income bars and language tests. Here is the EU framework and how three major destinations apply it, from official sources.
Quick answer
Under the EU's Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC), a non-EU national living legally in an EU country can bring family members if they hold a residence permit valid for at least one year and have the legal option of long-term residence. Countries set the details. Germany: both spouses must be 18 or older, and the spouse normally needs basic German, but spouses of EU Blue Card holders and skilled workers are exempt. France: you must have lived there for at least 18 months, with a monthly income averaging at least €1,867.02 for a family of 2–3 over the previous 12 months. Netherlands: a sponsor bringing a partner needs a gross monthly salary of at least €2,337 (excluding holiday allowance) in 2026. Family of EU citizens follows different, more generous rules.
The EU framework
According to the European Commission, family reunification has been one of the main reasons for migration into the EU for the past 20 years; at the end of 2023, about a third of residence permits for non-EU nationals were issued to join a family member. The Family Reunification Directive sets the rules for non-EU nationals living legally in an EU country. To use it, the person already living in the EU must hold a residence permit valid for at least one year and have the legal option of long-term residence. The directive doesn't cover families of EU citizens: those follow national law, or the Free Movement Directive if the EU citizen lives in another EU country.
Three countries compared
| Country | Waiting period | Income | Language for spouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | None for EU Blue Card and ICT card holders; other work permits: marriage existed when the permit was granted and stay expected over 1 year, or 2 years on a residence permit | Livelihood must be secured | Basic German, but exempt for Blue Card and skilled-worker spouses |
| France | At least 18 months' residence | Average of at least €1,867.02 a month (2–3 people), €2,053.72 (4–5), €2,240.42 (6+) over 12 months | See service-public.fr |
| Netherlands | See IND | Partner: gross salary of at least €2,337 a month without holiday allowance (2026) | See IND |
Verified against the official sources under Sources on 26 September 2026.
Germany: fast for skilled workers
Germany's Residence Act (§ 30) gives a spouse a residence permit when both spouses are at least 18 and the spouse can communicate in basic German — and the person in Germany holds a qualifying permit. For EU Blue Card and ICT card holders the law sets no waiting period. Holders of other work permits generally qualify if the marriage already existed when their permit was granted and their stay is expected to last more than a year, or once they have held a residence permit for two years. The basic-German requirement doesn't apply to spouses of Blue Card and ICT card holders, or of holders of skilled-worker permits under §§ 18a and 18b.
France: 18 months and an income test
In France, family reunification (regroupement familial) requires you to have lived in the country for at least 18 months on an eligible permit, such as a residence card of at least one year. Your resources must be stable and sufficient, and service-public.fr sets the amounts against the minimum wage: an average of €1,867.02 gross a month over the 12 months before applying for a household of 2 or 3, €2,053.72 for 4 or 5, and €2,240.42 for 6 or more. The procedure covers a spouse aged at least 18 and minor children.
Netherlands: an income bar that changes yearly
The Netherlands' IND publishes the income requirement each January. For 2026, a sponsor applying for a partner needs a gross salary of at least €2,337 a month excluding holiday allowance (€2,523.96 including it). The amounts apply until 31 December 2026; check the IND table for your exact situation.
Before you apply
- Check your permit type. In Germany it decides whether your spouse needs German and whether there's a wait.
- Document your income for the full period the country looks at — 12 months in France.
- Start the language early. Even where it isn't required, it matters for your family's daily life. Language Lab teaches German, French and Dutch among 50 languages.
Key takeaways
- EU floor: permit valid 1+ year and a prospect of long-term residence.
- Germany: Blue Card and skilled-worker spouses skip the German requirement.
- France: 18 months' residence; income from €1,867.02/month for 2–3 people.
- Netherlands: €2,337/month gross for a partner (2026).
FAQ
Does my spouse need to speak German to join me on an EU Blue Card?
No. Germany's Residence Act exempts spouses of EU Blue Card holders, ICT card holders and holders of skilled-worker permits from the basic-German requirement.
How long do I have to live in France before bringing my family?
At least 18 months, on an eligible residence permit such as a card of at least one year.
How much income do I need to bring my partner to the Netherlands?
For 2026, a gross salary of at least €2,337 a month excluding holiday allowance, according to the IND's income requirement table.
Does the EU Family Reunification Directive apply to EU citizens' families?
No. It applies to non-EU nationals living legally in the EU. Families of EU citizens fall under national law or, if the EU citizen lives in another EU country, the Free Movement Directive.
Sources (official only)
- EU: European Commission — family reunification with non-EU nationals
- Germany: Residence Act § 30
- France: service-public.fr — regroupement familial
- Netherlands: IND — required amounts 2026
Verified against the official sources above on 26 September 2026. Information, not legal advice.