Start your business in the Netherlands

Are you starting or expanding your business to the Netherlands? One of our main goals is to make it possible for ambitious entrepreneurs to obtain a residence permit for the Netherlands. Together with our network of facilitators it is our role to advice and inform you on the Startup Visa. If you are an entrepreneur there are two types of visa for you: the Startup Visa and the Self-employed Visa.

Startup Visa

The Startup Visa is the fast-track programme that makes it possible for ambitious and innovative entrepreneurs to obtain a residence permit for the Netherlands.

1. Prepare your affairs

The following conditions apply for setting up your business in the Netherlands:

  • As a startup you are providing an innovative product or service
  • You have a step-by-step plan to develop your idea into a business
  • You have sufficient means to live in the Netherlands

2. Partner with a facilitator

    • The startup residence permit requires you to work together with a business mentor: a facilitator.
    • The facilitator provides the startup entrepreneur with a tailor-made package of support depending on the specific needs of the startup entrepreneur.*
    • This partnership must be documented in a (signed) agreement between the startup entrepreneur and the facilitator.

*The facilitator may, for example, help with operational management, marketing, research and investing acquisition for setting up an innovative business.

 

3. Submit your application

Once you completed your application, you are ready to submit it. Register your application at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The costs to process your application include a one-time fee.

Learn more about this permit >>

To plan the next steps for your relocation, consult the Welcome to NL Relocation App to guide you.

Startup Visa Facilitators

One of the conditions for the startup residence permit is working together with a business mentor: a facilitator. This cooperation must be laid down in a (signed) agreement between the startup entrepreneur and the facilitator. The facilitator provides the startup entrepreneur with a tailormade package of support depending on the specific needs of the startup entrepreneur. The facilitator may, for example, help with operational management, marketing, research and investing acquisition for setting up an innovative business.

    Inqubator

    Startup Bootcamp

    Oost NL

    ACE

    Erasmus Center for Entrepreneurship

    WorldStartup Factory

    42Workspace

    Brightlands Chemelot Campus

    CIC

    UtrechtInc

    Glass Frog Ventures

    LUMO Labs

    Space Business Innovation Center

    StartLife

    Builders

    Water Alliance

    HSD Campus

    PortXL

    Crosspring

    Novel-T

    StartDock

    Rockstart

    Antler

    High TechXL

    Frank & The Backs

    Orange Sports Forum

    Dockwize

    NOM

    Planet B.io

    TNW

    IMK

Self-employed Visa

The Self-Employed Visa makes it possible for independent entrepreneurs and freelancers to offer their product or service to the Dutch economy.

Self-employed Visa

The Self-Employed Visa makes it possible for independent entrepreneurs and freelancers to offer their product or service to the Dutch economy.

1. Prepare your affairs

 

Write up your application, it should include:

  • Your personal experience
  • Your business plan
  • The added value for the Netherlands of your business

 

2. Calculate your points

You can calculate your points with the scoring system that you can find here. This can help you to get an idea of your potential score.
You’ll need a minimum of 90 points, with a minimum of 30 points for each of the three parts

3. Submit your application

 

Register your application at the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND). The costs to process your application include a one-time fee.

Learn more about this permit >>