Cohabitation 0-5 years
If the relationship ended before the expiration of the 5 years of cohabitation, then your residence permit issued based on cohabitation becomes invalid or not renewable and you cannot stay in the Netherlands any longer.
You can get another residence permit in case of a combination of compelling humanitarian reasons, for example:
– if your return to your homeland is impossible or complicated for serious reasons – the situation of a single woman and/or the social status of a woman and/or receiving shelter at home;
– if you have to take care of your children who are born in the Netherlands or study there;
demonstrable violence (including sexual) in the family. This is already a sufficient reason for extending the residence permit and additional is not required. As evidence, they use statements to the police, testimonies from neighbors, certificates from a doctor, etc.
In these cases, you should consult your local Het Juridisch Loket or a lawyer. You also have the right to apply for a new residence permit based on a new partnership or the basis of a new purpose of stay (work, study, etc.).
Cohabitation for more than 3 years
Having lived for at least 3 years with a cohabitant partner, you become eligible to apply for citizenship (naturalization). In this case, upon obtaining Dutch citizenship, your main citizenship is lost. The conditions for obtaining citizenship are listed in the FAQ.
Cohabitation for more than 5 years
If the partnership has lasted more than 5 years, then you get the right to request an independent residence permit. A residence permit is issued regardless of whether your relationship has ended and whether you have sufficient means of subsistence. The conditions for obtaining an independent residence permit are listed in the FAQ.
In the case of living with an EU citizen
If you are separated from an EU citizen (not Dutch!) After more than 3 years of cohabitation and at least 1 year of cohabitation in the Netherlands, you are eligible for an independent residence permit on humanitarian grounds. To do this, you will need to prove that you had a serious and exclusive relationship. Other conditions required for obtaining an independent residence permit are listed in the FAQ.
Stay over 5 years
If you have lived in the Netherlands with an EU citizen for more than 5 years with a valid residence permit, then you are entitled to apply for citizenship (naturalization). In this case, upon obtaining Dutch citizenship, your main citizenship is lost. The conditions for obtaining citizenship are listed in the FAQ.
In case of change of partner or purpose of the stay
You have the right to receive a new residence permit based on a new relationship, as well as based on a different purpose of stay – work, study, etc.
To apply for a new residence permit based on a new relationship, you must be registered at your new partner’s address. The new partner, as your guarantor, must meet certain requirements (have sufficient income, not be married, etc.). The conditions for obtaining a new residence permit are listed in the FAQ.
In the case of a partner’s death
If the relationship based on which the residence permit was issued ended with the death of the guarantor partner, you are eligible for an independent residence permit. The length of your marriage and the length of your stay in the country with a valid residence permit does not affect the issuance of a new residence permit. It is advisable to apply for a new residence permit immediately, but no later than 6 months from the date of the death of the partner.
An independent residence permit is issued regardless of whether your passport is valid and whether you have sufficient means of subsistence. The conditions for obtaining an independent residence permit are listed in the FAQ.
The residence permit is not renewed in cases where:
– the deceased partner had a temporary residence permit or a refugee residence permit for a limited time;
– you have provided incorrect data or not all data for the renewal of the residence permit;
– your main place of residence is outside the Netherlands (i.e. you have lived outside the Netherlands for more than 9 months or you have lived outside the Netherlands for more than 6 months for 3 consecutive years).