Startup Visa Netherlands
The Netherlands startup visa allows foreign entrepreneurs to obtain a residence permit by launching an innovative business with government-approved facilitator support. Requirements include €35,868 annual income plus €50,000 for business development, with no language tests or minimum investment. Benefits include a one-year renewable permit, family inclusion, spouse work rights, and 3-8 month processing. After five years of legal residence, apply for permanent residence with A2-level civic integration exam and income proof.
Startup Visa Netherlands Benefits
- Obtain a one-year residence permit under Start-up Visa program to develop a start-up business in the Netherlands. After the one year, there is opportunity to apply for two-year, renewable residence permit under Self-Employed Person Program. Potential pathway to permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years of legal and continuous residence
- Right to live in Netherlands to work on the Start-up business
- Right to include spouse, registered partner, unmarried partner and children under 18 years old in the application and opportunity for them to live, work and study in the Netherlands
- Member of Schengen Area, providing easy access to other Schengen member states
Startup Visa Netherlands Requirements
- Be at least 18 years old
- Willing to actively develop an innovative start-up business that is supported by a government-approved facilitator and to have main place of residence in the Netherlands. This means registration in the municipality at all times. The Netherlands assumed you moved your principal place of residence outside of the Netherlands if you leave for 6 months continuously or 4 months continuously for 3 years in a row.
- The applicant must invest reasonable funds to ensure successful operation of the start-up business: Typically, a minimum investment of EUR 50,000 per year is expected until the business generates sufficient revenue to sustain its operation
- Applicants must also have sufficient funds to enroll in the incubation program of a recognized facilitator and to support their stay in the Netherlands. Typically, incubation fee starts at about EUR 6000 / year and gross income of at least EUR 35,868 / year is required.
- Must have sufficient funds to support family’s maintenance cost in the Netherlands and to support the development of the proposed start-up business
- Must secure Dutch health insurance after issuance of the permit
Startup Visa Netherlands Process
Processing Time: 3 - 8 Months
Due Diligence And Application
- Prepare a business plan to secure support from a government-approved facilitator
- Sign contract with approved facilitator and submit the application package to the Netherlands immigration authority
- Processing time is typically about 3 – 8 months
Approval And Investment
- Upon approval, successful applicants must schedule an appointment with Dutch consulate in their country of residence within 3 months to submit biometric data
Residency
- After biometrics are submitted, a visa will be issued, allowing the applicant to travel to the Netherlands to collect their residence permit and set up the start-up company
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much investment is required to get permanent residence in the Netherlands through the startup visa?
To obtain permanent residence in the Netherlands through the startup visa program, you must maintain 5 years of legal residence and meet income requirements of €1,697.82 gross profit per month on average over the 18 months before applying (€2,425.46 per month with family members). Initially, starting a business in the Netherlands requires approximately €50,000 per year until it generates sufficient revenue, plus €35,868 per year for living expenses. Additional requirements include passing the civic integration exam at A2 level, no history of misrepresentation, registration in the Personal Records Database for 5 years with no gaps, and holding a valid residence permit with consistent renewals.
What is the 5 year rule for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands?
The 5 year rule requires accumulating 5 years of legal residence in the Netherlands before applying for permanent residence or citizenship. Dutch startup visa holders receive a one-year residence permit, which can transition to a two-year self-employed residence permit Netherlands under the Self-Employed Persons Program. After the two-year permit expires, entrepreneurs in the Netherlands can apply for an extension and receive a permit for another 5 years. To qualify for permanent residence after 5 years, you must pass the civic integration exam at A2 level, be registered in the Personal Records Database for 5 years with no gaps, hold a valid residence permit with consistent renewals, and meet income requirements.
Can buying property in the Netherlands grant residency for business purposes?
No, buying property does not grant residency in the Netherlands. The Netherlands startup visa program has no minimal investment requirements in real estate. Instead, foreign entrepreneurs must establish an innovative business in Netherlands through government-approved facilitator support. Requirements for starting business in the Netherlands include being at least 18 years old, presenting a comprehensive business plan, securing support from a startup visa facilitator, and having sufficient funds to develop the startup (typically €50,000 per year) and support your stay (€35,868 per year).
How difficult is it for US citizens to get an entrepreneur visa for the Netherlands?
US citizens can obtain a Dutch entrepreneur visa through the Netherlands start up visa program, which has no language requirements, no upper age limit, and no minimal investment requirements. The process for opening a business in Amsterdam or elsewhere in Holland involves preparing a business plan for review by a government-approved startup visa facilitator, signing a facilitator agreement, and submitting an application to the Netherlands immigration authority. Processing typically takes 3-8 months. Upon approval, you must schedule an appointment within 3 months to submit biometric data. You receive a one-year business visa Netherlands with the ability to include dependent family members, and your spouse/partner can work for any employer in the Netherlands.
What is the Netherlands startup visa program for entrepreneurs?
The Netherlands startup visa program is a pathway for foreign entrepreneurs to secure a residence permit to establish and develop an innovative startup business in the Netherlands. This entrepreneurship visa Netherlands allows individuals to start a company in Netherlands and develop their business ideas with support from government-approved facilitators.
Who is eligible to apply for the Dutch startup visa?
Eligible individuals for the Netherlands entrepreneur visa must be at least 18 years old and secure private healthcare insurance in the Netherlands after securing the residence permit. Applicants starting business in Netherlands must present a comprehensive business plan detailing the innovative business idea and their active role in the business, secure support from a government-approved startup visa facilitator and sign an agreement to enroll in the facilitator's incubation program, and have sufficient funds to develop the startup and support their stay. Gross income of at least EUR 35,868 per year is required to support one's stay, and the funds necessary to develop the startup should be sufficient to advance the business idea, typically amounting to at least EUR 50,000 per year.
Who qualifies as dependents under the Netherlands business visa program?
The following family members of the main applicant for the Dutch start up visa can be included as dependents: spouse, registered partner, unmarried partner who is in a sustainable relationship with the applicant (generally, an unmarried partner who has lived with the applicant for at least 6 months can be included), and minor children under 18.
What benefits does the startup visa Amsterdam program provide for entrepreneurs?
The startup Netherlands program provides several benefits: one-year residence permit upon application approval, ability to include dependent family members in the application, spouse/partner of the main applicant can work for any employers in the Netherlands after securing the residence permit as a dependent, main applicant may work for other employers while developing the startup business, quick processing time, no language requirements, no upper age limit, no minimal investment requirements, opportunity to apply for a two-year self-employed visa Netherlands under the Self-Employed Person program after one year, and opportunity to transition to permanent residence status after 5 years of legal residence in the Netherlands.
What type of business ideas are accepted for the Netherlands startup visa requirements?
The startup visa Netherlands accepts innovative business ideas that demonstrate one or more of the following characteristics: New Products or Services (the offering must be new to the Netherlands market), Innovative Technology (the startup companies in Netherlands should incorporate new technology in its production, distribution, or marketing processes), or Unique Organizational Methods (the business must introduce a novel approach to working and organizing operations). To qualify for starting a business in the Netherlands as a foreigner, the business idea must showcase innovation, viability, and the applicant's active involvement in its development.
What is the typical application process for the Dutch entrepreneur visa?
The application process for starting business Netherlands involves the following steps: prepare a business plan for review by a government-approved startup visa facilitator, the facilitator may conduct interviews and sign agreements with applicants who present promising business ideas, after signing the facilitator agreement, entrepreneurs can prepare and submit the application package to the Netherlands immigration authority which typically takes about 90 days to grant a decision, upon approval successful applicants must schedule an appointment within 3 months to submit biometric data, and after biometrics are submitted a visa will be issued allowing the applicant to travel to the Netherlands to collect their residence permit and start business in the Netherlands.
What is the processing time for the Netherlands startup visa requirements?
Processing times for the business visa Netherlands may vary by case, but the authority typically takes about 3-8 months to process these applications for entrepreneurs looking to open a business in Netherlands.
Who are exempted from the civil integration examination when applying for permanent residence in the Netherlands as a self-employed entrepreneur?
The following types of individuals with a self employed residence permit Netherlands are exempted: those with a civic integration certificate from the Civic Integration Act 2021 (Wi 2021), Belgian or Luxembourg nationals, anyone under 18 (applicants under 18 may only apply for Dutch citizenship with one of the parents), people who have lived in the Netherlands for 8 years or more during their school years, individuals with a document that exempts them from the civic integration requirement, those who cannot attend the examination due to medical reasons, and those who can prove that they are sufficiently integrated.
What are the immigration benefits granted to Turkish nationals for entrepreneurship in the Netherlands?
Turkish nationals enjoy several immigration benefits when applying for a business visa Netherlands: reduced application fees when applying for residence permits, Turkish nationals can bring a spouse or registered partner to the Netherlands if the partner is at least 18 years old rather than the usual requirement of 21 years old, and Turkish nationals can bring children up until the age of 21 when starting a business in Netherlands as a foreigner.