Do I need to pass a points test to qualify?

Most applicants go through an RVO points assessment across personal experience, business plan, and added value to the Netherlands, each scored to a maximum of 100. Turkish nationals, long-term EU residents from another member state, and independent professionals such as artists and medical specialists are exempt from the points system.

What is DAFT and who can use it?

DAFT, the Dutch American Friendship Treaty, is a route specifically for US nationals that skips the RVO points assessment entirely. Qualifying paths include trading between the Netherlands and the US, holding a key leadership position, independent professional practice, or making the qualifying capital investment. Japanese nationals have an equivalent under the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty.

How much capital do I need for DAFT?

A minimum of €4,500 must be deposited into a Dutch business bank account and remain there for the duration of the permit. This is reported as unchanged for 2026, but confirm with IND before relying on it. This figure is specific to DAFT and does not apply as a fixed minimum on the standard points-based route, where financing is assessed within the business plan score instead. Official source: ind.nl, American nationals, Dutch American Friendship Treaty. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How much does the Netherlands self employed permit cost?

A reported €423 applies for the main applicant, matching the general self employed permit fee, likely across both routes. Official source: ind.nl, residence permit fees, self employed person. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Reported family fees are around €254 for a spouse or partner and €85 per dependent child under 18, though these were specifically sourced for the DAFT route, so confirm they apply the same way on the standard route before relying on them. Official source: ind.nl, American nationals, Dutch American Friendship Treaty, residence permit fees. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does the application take?

IND's standard target is 90 days, extendable by up to 6 months where RVO, or the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science for artists, needs to be consulted. A 2026 DAFT pilot process is generally faster, with IND aiming to approve within roughly 6 to 8 weeks and carrying out document verification around 6 months later, though this faster timeline is specific to DAFT.

How long is the permit valid?

The initial permit runs for a maximum of 2 years under both the standard and DAFT routes. DAFT permits can generally be extended for a further 5 years afterwards, provided company equity never dropped below €4,500 during the first period.

Can my family join me?

Generally yes, a spouse, registered or long-term partner, and children under 18 can join you, in line with general Dutch family migration rules. Because your sponsorship is based on self employment income, family reunification reportedly requires around 18 months of income history before that income is treated as sustainable, longer than a typical employed sponsor would need to show. Official source: ind.nl, family reunification, income requirement for self employed sponsors. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How does this compare with the Startup Visa?

The self employed permit suits an already-formed, provable business or freelance practice, and does not require a facilitator. Standard route applicants are commonly assessed against thresholds of at least 30 points in each of the three RVO categories, or 45 points in personal experience and business plan combined, though the exact rubric should be confirmed with RVO or IND. Official source: rvo.nl, self employed persons scheme, points system. Reviewed 17 July 2026. The Startup Visa is for an unproven, innovative idea still being validated, requires a registered facilitator, and has an initial validity of 1 year rather than 2. The self employed route is generally considered more thoroughly assessed, given the full points test against an operating business, though we are not citing a specific approval-rate figure since we could not verify one from an official source.

What changed for self employed applicants in 2025 and 2026?

From January 2025, the Wet VBAR legislation created a presumption of employment for freelancers earning under roughly €33 an hour, part of a wider Dutch crackdown on disguised employment, which can affect the credibility of self employed applications, particularly DAFT holders working with a single client. Official source: rijksoverheid.nl, Wet DBA en handhaving, Wet VBAR update. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Reports from February 2026 suggest IND has been sending compliance letters to existing DAFT holders asking for proof of ongoing business activity and multiple clients, though this is based on a single source and worth a light cross-check. Official source: ind.nl, American nationals, Dutch American Friendship Treaty, compliance update. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Can I eventually settle permanently or become a Dutch citizen?

After 5 years holding a residence permit, including time on the self employed permit, you generally become eligible to apply for Dutch permanent residence. Official source: ind.nl, permanent residence permit. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Free to work status typically becomes available too after 5 years. Official source: ind.nl, self employed persons, free to work status. Reviewed 17 July 2026. The general route to citizenship requires 5 years of legal, continuous residence under Dutch nationality law. Official source: ind.nl, Dutch nationality, naturalisation requirements. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Confirm current requirements with IND or a qualified professional before relying on either timeline.

Netherlands Self Employed Visa

Q: What is the Netherlands self employed visa?

It is a national Dutch residence permit for non-EU and non-EEA nationals who want to establish or run their own business, or work as a freelancer or independent professional, in the Netherlands. It is administered by IND, with RVO assessing the economic side of most applications through a points test.

This is a national Dutch permit, not an EU-wide scheme, for people who want to establish or continue running their own business, or work as a freelancer or independent professional, in the Netherlands. You need to register with KvK, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, hold any professional licence your sector requires, and put together a business plan that shows your work can generate a genuine income. For the standard route, your work also needs to serve what IND and RVO describe as an essential interest to the Dutch economy. Official source: ind.nl, self employed persons, and rvo.nl, self employed persons scheme. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Who it is for

Founders who already have a trading business, or a clear, well-researched plan to start one, in the Netherlands; Freelancers and independent consultants who want to base their practice in the Netherlands; Artists who can show funding from a recognised Dutch cultural fund or employment by a recognised cultural institution; US nationals who may qualify for the simpler DAFT route instead of the standard points assessment; Applicants who already have an established, income-generating practice rather than an unproven idea still being validated (the Startup Visa suits that case better, see the comparison below).

How eMigr8 helps

eMigr8 gives you coaching and guidance to prepare your application and understand your options. We do not give legal advice or immigration consultation. Points thresholds, fees, and processing rules are set by IND and RVO and change periodically, so confirm the current figures directly with IND or RVO, or take advice from a qualified professional, before you apply.