Association Agreement
Association Agreement
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There are different, more favorable rules applicable to Turkish nationals and their family members. This is due to the association agreement between EU and Turkey. The association agreement is applicable to:
- Married or registered partners of Turkish nationals that work in the Netherlands or partners or Turkish partners of Dutch people.
- Grandparents and parents of a person with Turkish nationality or the registered partner. Nationality is in this regard not a requirement.
- Children and kids (under 21 years old) of the married couple or registered partner.

Self employed
Are you a Turkish self-employed person and you wish to acquire a residence permit based on the association agreement? In that case you are not obliged to abide by the point system which is applicable to most foreigners in a similar situation. However, you do have to submit a financial plan and a company strategy. These documents will be evaluated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The RVO will assess whether the company is able to make a positive contribution to the Dutch economy.
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Highly skilled migrant
A company that wants to employ in a highly skilled migrant from Turkey is not required to be recognized as a sponsor. However applications by recognized sponsors will be processed quicker. The salary requirements and the other requirements are still applicable to Turkish highly skilled migrants.
Paid employment
Turkish nationals and their family members who work for a Dutch employer can work for the employer without a work permit after a year has passed. After a three year time period, the Turkish national is free to work anywhere in the Netherlands. In this regard a work permit is not necessary.
Family members
There are a few exceptions for Turkish family members who have the right to live in the Netherlands.
- Family members are not required to take a civic integration test.
- Lower legal fees are applicable
- The minimum age for registered partners and married couples is 18 which is different from the normal requirement of 21 years. Nonetheless, unmarried couples are required to be 21 years old.
The family members are eligible to reside independently in the Netherlands after three years. The residence permit does not have a specific purpose, which is favorable. Moreover, it is not necessary to possess a work permit nor is it necessary to abide by an income requirement.
Divorce
In case of divorce the family members continue to have the right to live in the Netherlands. This is due to the association agreement in place between Turkey and the EU. Whether the family members continue to have the right to stay after the expiration of their residence permits depends on a number of factors. In such cases it is extremely important to be well informed by experts.
MVV
In case a person is married – or has a registered partnership – to a Turkish employee or self-employed person with legal residence in the Netherlands, (s)he does not need to collect an mvv-visa. This means the application can be done from the Netherlands. This is an exception to the general rule. The partner does not need to be a Turkish citizen. This exception on the mvv-requirement is not applicable for unmarried couples.
Do you want to know more about the association agreement? Contact Ali Agayev.
More than 10 years of experience in immigration law
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Immigration Lawyer

Ali Agayev
Immigration lawyer
Ali Agayev is a lawyer specialized in immigration law. He has been a lawyer since 2014. Prior to this he worked as a paralegal and legal intern in human rights law and asylum law. Ali speaks Dutch, English, Azerbaijani & Turkish.

Anissa el Yahiaoui
Immigration lawyer
Anissa graduated in International Migration and Refugee Law and Labor law, and within the firm specializes in Immigration and Asylum Law. Before she became a lawyer, Anissa worked as a legal assistant on Immigration Law and Ground lease Law.
In addition to Dutch and English, Anissa also speaks Berber.

Atra Hanna
Immigration lawyer
Atra holds a degree in European law and is specialized in immigration and asylum law. Before she became a lawyer, Atra already gained work experience in immigration law. For example, she did an internship at Refugee Work and UNHCR. Also. she has worked for the Immigration and Naturalization Service for three years.
In addition to Dutch and English, Atra also speaks Aramaic and Arabic.
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