Requirements to guarantee visitors from abroad

Is there a visa-required person (partner, family, friend, etc.) coming from abroad? You can then provide a financial guarantee for the person who comes to the Netherlands for a short stay (maximum 90 days) and for that purpose a Schengen visa need.

A guarantee is necessary if the foreign visitor has insufficient income and wants to apply for a Schengen visa for the Netherlands.

The income requirements for a visa guarantee are:

1. You earn an independent income: this is an income on which you pay taxes and premiums.
2. Your income is sustainable: this means that you receive your income long enough.
3. You have sufficient income: this means that your income is high enough.

Remember that medical travel insurance is important for a guarantee, read more here: https://schengenvisum.info/waarom-is-reisverzekering-belangrijk-bij-visum-garantstelling/

When is a guarantee not necessary?

It is not necessary to guarantee a foreign guest if your visitor has sufficient income. The visitor must then be able to demonstrate that he or she can spend at least € 55 per day (applies per person), for all days that he or she stays in the Netherlands.

Private accommodation

Does your guest have enough money during their stay? Then a guarantee is not necessary. In that case, you only apply for private accommodation via the form proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation. With this form you also have your signature legalized at the municipality.

Requirements for a Schengen visa

If your guest comes to the Netherlands for a maximum of 90 days, he may need a visa. Whether a foreign tourist or guest needs a visa depends on their nationality.

If a guest is required to have a visa, he or she must meet the following conditions:

• you have a valid travel document, for example a passport. The travel document must be valid for 3 months after the end of the visa period. It should also not be older than 10 years.
• You are not a threat to public order, national security or the international relations of one of the Schengen countries.
• You have a destination in the Netherlands. For example, a hotel reservation or an invitation from a referent in the Netherlands. This sponsor has a valid residence permit or is a Dutch national. The sponsor uses the Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form.
• You have sufficient financial means for the stay in the Netherlands, the transit and/or the return journey:
  • You have at least € 55 per person per day for the duration of your stay in the Netherlands; or
  • Someone in the Netherlands guarantees you. This can be the inviting referent, but also a random third person. The guarantor has sufficient and sustainable income. The sponsor uses the Proof of sponsorship and/or private accommodation form, together with the additional documents listed under checklist.
• You have a (medical) travel insurance which is closed in the name of the guest. The person who invites you may take out travel insurance in the Netherlands. The travel insurance has a coverage of at least € 30.000 for medical costs in the Schengen area and in any case covers the following:
  • Costs for returning to the country of origin for medical reasons (repatriation).
  • Urgent medical care.
  • Emergency treatment in hospital.
• You have sufficient reasons to return to your country of origin or residence. For example, because you work there, have (school-going) children or own a house. A return ticket alone is not enough. 

Conditions for guarantee

• You live in the Netherlands.
• You have a citizen service number (BSN).
• Your income is at least equal to the minimum wage (excluding holiday pay).
• Couples have a joint income of at least the minimum wage (excluding holiday pay).
• You must fill in a proof of guarantee and/or private accommodation.

Standard amounts for guarantor valid from 1 January 2023 up to and including 30 June 2023

Below are the minimum income requirements to act as guarantor for a foreign national:

​Gross sv wages per month without holiday pay	€ 1.934,40
​Gross sv wages per month with holiday pay	€ 2.089,16

Step-by-step guarantee

1. Fill in the proof of guarantee and/or private accommodation form. If you want to act as guarantor for several people, you must also fill in the form several times. This is possible online at various municipalities.
   Please note: the form and website state that this is intended for visitors requiring a visa. Visa-free visitors can also use this.
2. Have your signature on the form legalized at your municipality. The warranty is valid for 6 months.
3. Collect the additional documents (see paragraph below).
4. Send this together with the form to your visitor abroad.
5. Your visitor can receive a request a visa. Does your foreign visitor not need a visa? Then your visitor can take the documents with him to show during border control.

Additional documents guarantee

In addition to the form, you must also collect the following documents. You send this to your foreign visitor who submits the supporting documents with the visa application.

Employed and guarantor

The following supporting documents are required if you are employed and want to act as guarantor for a foreign guest subject to a visa requirement:

• a copy of your employment contract (this must continue for at least 12 months from the time of the visa application)
• a copy of your last 3 pay slips
• a copy of your passport or ID card, or a Dutch residence permit.

Entrepreneur and guarantor

The following supporting documents are required if you are an entrepreneur and want to act as guarantor for a foreign guest subject to a visa requirement:

• a recent extract from your registration with the Chamber of Commerce;
• your most recent final income tax assessment;
• a recent profit and loss statement, showing your net profit;
• a copy of your passport or ID card, or a Dutch residence permit.

Related articles:

• What is guaranteeing a visa?
• Guarantee your foreign partner
• Why is travel insurance important for a visa guarantee?
• Guarantee
• Accommodation provision