Netherlands Netherlands DAFT Treaty Visa — Residency Program
🏠 OVERVIEW
Country
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Program
Netherlands DAFT Treaty Visa
Local Name
DAFT-verblijfsvergunning
Type
Freelancer
Status
Active
Initial Duration
24 months
Renewable
Yes
(60 mo)
Self-employment residence permit for US citizens under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty. Only EUR 4,500 business capital required — one of the most accessible European residency options.
💰 FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Savings Required
$5,175
Application Fee
$487
📋 ELIGIBILITY
Min Age
18+
Criminal Record Check
Required
Health Check
Not required
Health Insurance
Required
💼 WORK RIGHTS
Employment
Not allowed
Self-Employment
Allowed
Own Business
Allowed
Work Permit Included
No
👨👩👧 FAMILY & DEPENDENTS
Dependents Allowed
Yes
Spouse Included
Yes
Max Child Age
18
Parents Allowed
No
💰 TAX DETAILS
Tax Regime
Worldwide
Regime Name
Progressive income tax up to 49.5%
Foreign Income Taxed
Yes
Capital Gains Taxed
Yes
🏆 PATH FORWARD
Permanent Residency
Yes
Years to PR
5 years
Dual Citizenship
Not allowed
Citizenship
Yes
Years to Citizenship
5 years
Language Required
A2
🌍 BENEFITS & MOBILITY
Schengen Access
Yes
Bank Account
Can open
Property Purchase
Allowed
Public Healthcare
Access granted
Primary Residence
Required
📝 HOW TO APPLY
Method
both
Processing Time
30–60 days
Apply from Abroad
Yes
📝 NOTES
EXCLUSIVELY for US citizens under the 1956 Dutch-American Friendship Treaty. EUR 4,500 business capital in Dutch bank account. Must register with KvK (Chamber of Commerce). Can operate as ZZP/eenmanszaak or BV. Free to work while application pending. Business equity must never drop below EUR 4,500. NL generally requires renouncing other nationality for citizenship.
📋 ALSO IN NETHERLANDS
Netherlands also offers a digital nomad visa for remote workers:
- Self-Employed Residence Permit (digital nomad visa)