Proposed restrictions on family reunification will take effect on October 1, 2012. The Netherlands will restrict family reunification to spouses, registered partners, and minor children. Unmarried partners and children of the age of majority (18) will not be eligible any longer for family reunification.
Same-sex partners who by law in the country of origin of the partner are not allowed to marry are eligible for a temporary residence permit in the Netherland for a period of six months. Within these six months, the same-sex partners must marry in the Netherlands or register their partnership.