463 residents of the Netherlands are married to more than one spouse, although polygamy is illegal.
Although polygamy is prohibited in the Netherlands, 463 residents were registered in multiple marriages in 2025, according to figures from the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations, as reported by the Reformatorisch Dagblad newspaper. Government officials recorded 37 polygamous marriages last year, compared to 77 cases in 2024.
Polygamy, or marrying more than one person at the same time, is illegal and punishable by up to four years in prison or a fine of up to 27,500 euros. While residents can enter into multiple partner relationships, Dutch law does not allow the registration of more than one spouse; the closest legal arrangement is a registered cohabitation contract with a notary.
The ministry clarified that most of these multiple marriages involve residents who "had no ties to the Netherlands" at the time of marriage. Many of them are from countries that legally recognize polygamy, including Morocco, Egypt, and Libya. Dutch law stipulates monogamy, meaning that polygamy is not recognized if there is a clear connection to the Netherlands at the time of marriage.
This legal framework creates challenges for refugees. Refugees who obtain residence in the Netherlands can only bring one spouse and children from that marriage under family reunification rules. Several refugees have recently appealed decisions from the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) that prevent the arrival of a second spouse and children to the Netherlands.
A study commissioned by the Dutch parliament in 2008 showed that the legal system regarding multiple marriages generally works well, noting that the issue affects very few people. Researchers warned that unilaterally dissolving these marriages could lead to unequal legal outcomes for couples and children whose marriages are recognized in other countries.