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Visa & Immigration

Netherlands Medical Treatment Visa

The Netherlands Medical Treatment Visa covers two distinct situations. The first is a standard short-stay Schengen visa for travellers coming to the Netherlands for planned, private medical treatment (e.g. a scheduled procedure), where the applicant funds their own stay or has a financier in the Netherlands covering the costs. The second is a residence permit for medical treatment, granted under stricter conditions to those who need vital, ongoing medical treatment that cannot be adequately provided in their country of origin, including in cases where someone’s departure from the Netherlands has been suspended on medical grounds under Section 64 of the Dutch Aliens Act. This second category is assessed by the IND in consultation with the Bureau Medische Advisering (BMA), the Netherlands’ medical advisory body. As with every Netherlands Visa category, the final decision on approval rests solely with the IND or the relevant Dutch embassy or consulate.

Eligibility

For a short-stay visa for planned medical treatment:

  • You are travelling to the Netherlands for a specific, pre-arranged medical procedure.
  • Your stay will not exceed 90 days within a 180-day period.
  • You (or a financier in the Netherlands) can demonstrate sufficient financial means to cover the treatment and stay.

For a residence permit for medical treatment (vital, ongoing treatment):

  • You can plausibly demonstrate that the vital medical treatment you need is not available, or not sufficiently available, in your country of origin for technical or supply reasons.
  • The Bureau Medische Advisering (BMA) assesses and confirms that continuing treatment in the Netherlands is medically necessary.
  • If applying from within the Netherlands, it must be medically unsafe for you to travel back to your country of origin to apply for a visa at a local Dutch embassy.

Government Visa Fees

CategoryFee
Short-stay Schengen visa for planned medical treatment€80 (standard Schengen visa fee); reduced/exempt categories may apply as for other Schengen visas
Residence permit for medical treatmentFee set under IND’s standard fee schedule for this residence purpose — confirm the current amount on the IND website, as fees are updated annually

Fees are non-refundable, whatever the decision on the application.

Netherlands Visa Processing Time

Short-stay Schengen visa applications for planned medical treatment generally follow standard timelines, with decisions typically made within 15 calendar days, extendable to 30 or, in exceptional cases, 60 days. Residence permit applications for vital medical treatment take considerably longer, since the IND must consult the Bureau Medische Advisering (BMA) to assess whether continuation of treatment in the Netherlands is medically necessary — this process can take several months. Residency granted on medical grounds is generally issued for one year at a time and can be extended if circumstances have not changed.

Required Documents Checklist

Valid passport (with at least two blank visa pages, valid at least 3 months beyond intended departure)
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
Medical documentation confirming the planned treatment and appointment details in the Netherlands
Proof of financial means to cover treatment and living costs, or a financier's declaration
Travel medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage
Medical records and reports demonstrating the nature of the treatment required
Evidence that equivalent treatment is not available, or not sufficiently available, in the country of origin
BMA assessment (arranged through the IND as part of the application process)
Valid passport
Proof of financial means or a financier's declaration in the Netherlands

Step-by-Step Application Process

Arrange your medical treatment and obtain confirmation from the Dutch hospital or clinic.
Complete the Schengen visa application form via the Dutch consular portal or NetherlandsWorldwide.
Gather medical, financial, and insurance documents.
Book an appointment at the Dutch embassy, consulate, or an authorised visa application centre.
Submit your documents, pay the fee, and provide biometrics.
Collect the passport or receive the visa decision.
Gather comprehensive medical documentation on your condition and required treatment.
Submit the application to the IND, either from your country of origin or, in cases where travel is medically unsafe, from within the Netherlands.
The IND consults the Bureau Medische Advisering (BMA) to assess medical necessity.
Await the IND's decision, which can take several months.
If granted, the permit is generally issued for one year and can be extended if the medical situation continues.

Important Notes

A residence permit for vital medical treatment is only granted where treatment is genuinely unavailable or insufficient in the country of origin — availability of similar (if less convenient) treatment at home generally leads to refusal.
If it is medically safe to travel, the IND will generally expect the applicant to apply for the appropriate visa from their home country rather than from within the Netherlands.
Family members already in the Netherlands (partner and minor children) may sometimes be permitted to stay for the duration of treatment, but family members still in the country of origin do not qualify for family reunification under this residence purpose.
Residency on medical grounds is temporary — typically issued for one year at a time, renewable if the situation persists, and can lead to another residence permit type after 3 years of accumulated stay.
Fees are non-refundable regardless of the outcome.

Why Choose Shivansh Consultants

Applying for a Netherlands Medical Treatment Visa requires accurate medical documentation, proof of treatment arrangements, and compliance with the immigration requirements prescribed by the Dutch authorities. At Shivansh Consultants, we provide personalized guidance and end-to-end support, assisting you with visa application forms, hospital appointment documentation, medical records, financial evidence, accommodation details, travel insurance, and all required supporting paperwork. Our experienced consultants carefully review your application to help minimize errors and delays while ensuring your documentation is complete and meets the applicable visa requirements. We are committed to delivering transparent, reliable, and client-focused assistance throughout your Netherlands Medical Treatment Visa application process. While the final decision on visa approval rests solely with the Dutch immigration authorities, our goal is to help you submit a complete, accurate, and well-prepared Medical Treatment Visa application with

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a medical treatment visa and a medical treatment residence permit?
The short-stay visa is for a planned, private medical procedure within a 90-day Schengen stay. The residence permit is a longer-term status for those who need vital, ongoing treatment unavailable in their home country, assessed with input from the Bureau Medische Advisering (BMA).
Who assesses whether I need ongoing medical treatment in the Netherlands?
The IND consults the Bureau Medische Advisering (BMA), the Netherlands' medical advisory body, to determine whether continuing treatment in the Netherlands is medically necessary.
Can my family join me while I receive medical treatment in the Netherlands?
Family members already in the Netherlands (partner and minor children) may sometimes be allowed to stay for the duration of treatment, but family members still abroad do not qualify for family reunification under this specific residence purpose.
How long does a residence permit for medical treatment last?
It is generally issued for one year at a time and can be extended if your situation has not changed. After 3 years of accumulated stay on this basis, you may become eligible for a different residence permit not tied to your medical situation.
Can I apply for this residence permit from within the Netherlands?
Only if it would be medically unsafe for you to travel back to your country of origin to apply for a visa at a Dutch embassy. If travel is possible, the IND will generally expect the standard application route from abroad.