What is the Netherlands Startup Visa?

It is a temporary residence permit, officially a temporary regular residence permit Type I, that gives non-EU/EEA entrepreneurs up to one year to develop a genuinely innovative business idea in the Netherlands, working under a signed agreement with an RVO recognised facilitator.

What counts as innovative enough to qualify?

RVO looks for a new product or service, a new production technology, or a new way of organising or marketing the business. An idea that simply copies an existing business model without a meaningfully new element is unlikely to pass RVO's assessment.

Who assesses my business plan, IND or RVO?

RVO, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, assesses your step by step business plan for innovation. IND then decides the residence permit application itself, aiming for a decision within 90 days of a complete application, though we were not able to independently confirm that target against a primary IND page for this guide. Official source: ind.nl, Start-up. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Do I need a facilitator?

Yes. You cannot apply without a signed agreement with a facilitator recognised by RVO. Facilitators must be registered in the Dutch Chamber of Commerce Trade Register, have demonstrable experience mentoring startups, be financially stable, and may not hold a majority interest in your startup or be a close family member of yours.

How much money do I need to show?

Reported figures for 2026 are EUR30,000 if you are bringing accompanying family, or EUR21,000 if you are applying alone. These come from secondary sources rather than a figure we confirmed directly on ind.nl, so verify the current amount with IND. Official source: business.gov.nl, residence permit for foreign startups. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Funds can generally be shown through a Dutch bank statement or through the facilitator providing financing for your stay.

How much does the Netherlands Startup Visa cost?

The IND application fee is EUR423. Official source: ind.nl, fees, costs of an application. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Family member fees have been reported elsewhere at roughly EUR210 per adult and EUR45 per child, though we could not independently verify this against ind.nl, so check the current figures on ind.nl before you budget around them. Official source: ind.nl, fees, costs of an application. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

How long does the Startup Visa last?

Up to one year, and it cannot be renewed as a startup permit itself. Most founders who want to stay apply to convert to the Self-Employed Persons permit before the year ends.

Can my family come with me?

In general terms, a spouse, a registered or long-term partner, and children under 18 can usually join you during the startup year. Partners joining through family reunification typically need to pass a basic Dutch civic integration exam abroad first. This reflects general Dutch family migration policy rather than a rule specific to the Startup Visa, so confirm your own situation with IND.

What happens after the year? Can I stay in the Netherlands?

You can apply to convert to the Self-Employed Persons permit, assessed by RVO on a points system across personal experience, business plan, and added value for the Netherlands, generally needing at least 30 points in each category. Official source: RVO, points system for self-employed persons. Reviewed 17 July 2026. Your facilitator's end of year declaration supports this application, though we could not fully confirm the reported three-month mentoring figure attached to that declaration, so check it directly with your facilitator or RVO. Official source: RVO, Facilitator for startups. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Could I apply for the Self-Employed Persons permit directly instead?

Yes, if your business is already viable or established rather than an early stage idea. That route uses the same points system without a startup year first, and it does not require a facilitator agreement.

How is the Startup Visa different from an EU Blue Card or Highly Skilled Migrant permit?

Those routes are built around being employed. The EU Blue Card can work for a founder only if they are formally employed by their own company on a qualifying contract and salary, and the company can act as a genuine employer, which is structurally different from how most early stage founders enter the Netherlands. The Highly Skilled Migrant permit applies if you are hired as an employee by a different company holding IND recognised sponsor status, which is more of a fallback if you set the startup idea aside for a job.

Netherlands Startup Visa

This route lets you spend up to one year in the Netherlands turning a business idea into a company, provided the idea is genuinely innovative rather than a straightforward copy of an existing business model. IND calls it a temporary regular residence permit, Type I, and the assessment of your business plan itself sits with RVO, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, not with IND. IND still decides the immigration application, aiming for a decision within 90 days of a complete submission, though we were not able to independently confirm that target against a primary IND page for this guide. Official source: ind.nl, Start-up. Reviewed 17 July 2026.

Who it is for

Founders with a genuinely new product, service, production technology, or way of organising or marketing a business; Entrepreneurs willing to work closely with a recognised facilitator for the full year rather than build entirely alone; People who can put together a step by step business plan that RVO can assess as innovative; Founders who can show sufficient funds to support themselves in the Netherlands for the year; Anyone weighing this route against applying directly for the Self-Employed Persons permit.

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. Fees, funds requirements, 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.