Digital Nomad & Residency - Netherlands

There is no specific digital-nomad or remote-work visa. Non-EU nationals staying beyond the 90-day Schengen limit must obtain a residence permit under one of the existing economic categories administered by the IND.

The main route for freelancers/entrepreneurs requires registration with the Chamber of Commerce, a business plan, and passing a points-based 'essential interest to the Dutch economy' test assessed by the RVO, plus independent, sustainable income.

Under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, US citizens are exempt from the economic 'added value' test and qualify for a self-employed permit by investing/maintaining at least €4,500 of equity in a Dutch business; the first permit runs two years and is renewable.

Non-EU founders of an innovative business can obtain a one-year residence permit for start-ups, conditional on guidance from an IND-recognised facilitator, with the business assessed in consultation with the RVO.

Salaried remote workers more commonly enter via the Highly Skilled Migrant scheme, which requires sponsorship by an IND-recognised Dutch employer meeting set salary thresholds — not suitable for those working remotely for a foreign employer.

The Netherlands' residency-by-investment scheme for foreign investors (which required a €1.25 million investment) was abolished as of 1 January 2024, so there is no current residency-by-investment pathway.