Request Call Back
Free Case Evaluation
Request Price
EVALUATE YOUR CHANCES OF IMMIGRATING TO THE NETHERLANDS
According to theDutch immigration Law, aresidence permitis necessary forUS citizens who intend to live and work in the Netherlands. There are several types ofresidence permits in the Netherlandstheycan apply for. Ourimmigration lawyer in Netherlandscan explain to you how toimmigrateto the Netherlands from the US.
Moving to the Netherlands is an important choice, particularly for U.S. citizens who have never traveled to Europe. Oftentimes, this choice is based on economic and/or work-related reasons, especially because professionals working in Amsterdam or other cities can benefit from a special ruling, as detailed below by ourimmigration specialists.
U.S. citizens should know that aFriendshipTreatyis in place between the Netherlands and the United States and it facilitates the manner in which American investors can start a business in a Dutch city. Receiving aresidence permit in Netherlandsfor living and workingin the country is facilitated under this treaty, provided that the U.S. investor satisfies the conditions for providing a minimum investment capital for the Dutch business (at least 4,500 euros).
TheDAFT visais the most suitable relocation route for US citizens who wish to open a business or work as self-employed in the Netherlands. The Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) conditions allow a US applicant to remain in the Netherlands for 2 years, provided that he or she observes the requirements for an investment amount. Our team can give you more details upon request.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa requirement to enter Netherlands | No, for stays of up to 90 days |
Types of temporary residence permits for those who relocate to Netherlands from US | Employment, business, study, family reunification |
| Documents for temporary residence permits | Valid passport, no previous offences or crimes, permit-specific documents such as the employment agreement, the university acceptance letter or others |
| Approximate time needed to obtain a temporary stay permit | 90 days |
| Residence permits for investors who relocate to Netherlands from US | Yes, under the Dutch-America Friendship Treaty (DAFT) |
| Temporary residence permit duration | 1 year or more, up to a maximum of 5 years for the employment permit |
| Post-arrival registration with the Dutch authorities | Yes |
| US permit holder can bring dependents to the Netherlands | Yes, depending on permit type |
| Facilities for US nationals married to a Dutch citizen | Naturalization after living together for at least 3 years as married or registered partners |
| Minimum lawful stay before applying for permanent residence | 5 years |
| Minimum time in the country before applying for citizenship | 5 years |
| Naturalization requirements | Having lived in the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit, 18 years or older, valid identification documents that prove one's nationality, pass the civic integration examination and making a declaration of solidarity |
| Dual citizenship | No, with some exceptions (for example, being born in the Kingdom of Netherlands or married to a Dutch citizen/the registered partner of a Dutch citizen) |
| US pension available in the Netherlands | American citizens who relocate to Netherlands from US canstill benefit from U.S. Social Security payments |
| Taxes for US nationals in the Netherlands | Income derived from the Netherlands (employment, homeownership, substantial interest, investments, and real estate in the country) is taxed at the Dutch personal income tax rates There is no double taxation on the same income American citizens living in the Netherlands may have to file 2 tax returns, one in each country |
The list below presents a set of issues that are worth taking into consideration before moving from the United States to the Netherlands:
- Town Hall registration: this is performed at the town hall in your area of residence and in most cases it is mandatory to register with the authorities within five days of the arrival in the country (when the stay is for long periods of time, more than four months); an address is required during this step and if you cannot conclude a rental contract within the five days, then you should accomplish this step as soon as the agreement to rent or purchase a property is signed; for Amsterdam, registration with theGemeenteis required.
- the citizen service number: this is a number that is unique to an individual living in the country and it is obtained after the registration with the Town Hall; it is one of the first things to sort out when moving to the country because it is needed to open a bank account, find a job and enroll in the healthcare system as well as for receiving benefits.
- opening a bank account: this is another mandatory step and it will be needed for receiving the monthly wage as well as making payments since this is a preferred payment method; bank account package options vary and we recommend choosing a bank that meets your needs; one of our Netherlandsimmigration agentscan help you if the language barrier is a hassle at a chosen bank (although many Dutch speak English).
- the DigiD: it is an online ID through which, as an expat, you have access to a number of government services and websites; this is mandatory for tax purposes and for collecting benefits and having access to certain types of allowances; this digital identification is linked to the citizen service number, the BSN; individuals can apply for a DigiD online once they obtain the BSN (and also have an address).
- driving license: for non-EU citizens, the driving license is valid for six months after the registration with the municipality is performed; U.S. expats living in the Netherlands who plan on driving a car after this six-month period will need to take the applicable exams.
These are just some of the issues an expat will need to think about and handle when moving to the Netherlands. For more information about each of these points, reach out to ourNetherlands immigration experts.
Table of Contents
Residence permits for American citizens moving to the Netherlands
United States citizens who wish torelocate to the Netherlandsare not required to obtain a Dutch provisional residence permit (MVV). However, when you wish to emigrate or move to the Netherlands you are required toobtain a residence permitand, when this option becomes available to you, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
U.S. citizens who want to work in the Netherlandsor simply live here are required to apply for a residence permit. A special category exists in the case of highly skilled migrants. American applicants can submit a form for Transfer within a company for positions such as branch managers. Their employer will also need to apply for aSingle Permit, which combines theresidence permitand the work permit.
Once you have the residence permit, you can extend it as needed. Those who have lawfully lived in the Netherlands for a period of five years can apply for apermanent residence permit. This is a separate application that is submitted with the IND. Apart from having a valid residence permitin Netherlandsfor five years, the applicant must also have had an uninterrupted stay in the county for those past five years. He/she must be registered with the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) that operates in the place of residence. Another important condition is for the applicant to be able to provide for himself. This is done by showing that heor a family member is able to provide for sufficient, independent long-term income.
As a US citizen, you can apply forDutch citizenshipif you have lawfully lived in the country for at least 5 consecutive years. A mandatory condition during your stay is to have had a valid residence permit at all times. Other criteria apply for naturalization and they concern your level of Dutch language knowledge. You can discuss these in detail with our team and receive assistance for citizenship applications.
American entrepreneurs in the Netherlands
The main conditions for residence based on the Dutch American Friendship Treaty are the following:
- the applicant meets the general conditions (listed below by our Dutch immigration agents);
- he or she is an American national;
- the applicant develops and leads a business in the country or has invested a minimum capital amount in a company; for those who represent an American company, a condition is for them to be employed in a key position with that firm; an alternative is for the American applicant to have a liberal profession, a public duty or a position in the healthcare sector.
Some of the costs associated with residing in the Netherlands based on the Dutch American Friendship Treaty include the following:
- have sufficient capital in the business (if opting for opening a company) or have a gross profit per month as a self-employed person or at least € 1,273.71 (including the holiday allowance) – the amount is valid from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2021;
- pay the application cost of € 1,416;
- when the applicant already has a residence permit start-up then the application costs are lower, at € 379.
Independent American entrepreneurs in the Netherlands need to comply with the requirements concerning the nature of the investment:
- interest: the activity or business will serve an essential interest for the Dutch economy; this means that the product or service must be innovative and meet other criteria as well;
- minimum points: the applicant is evaluated based on a scoring system that takes into consideration three parts: one’s personal experience, the business plan and the aforementioned added value to the country;
- registration: the business needs to be registered with the Trade Register with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce;
- licensing: the applicant needs to have the proper licenses to practice the business/profession;
- income: the criteria for the aforementioned sufficient income is required; this is also highlighted in the business plan.
Additional requirements apply for companies that will provide services in individual healthcare (this is a mandatory step for a healthcare provider who has a diploma issued by a foreign entity).
The general conditions for those applying for a residence permit in the Netherlands are the following:
- have a valid passport; children can be included on the passport of one of the parents;
- sign the antecedents certificate.
Citizens of the United States of America are not required to take a tuberculosis test.
The documents for the self-employed residence permit or for the residence permit under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty are to be legalized and translated into Dutch, English, French or German.
Start-ups in the Netherlands opened by American investors
A similar residency route for American citizens who wish toimmigratefrom the USA to the Netherlandsis the one based on working in the country as a start-up entrepreneur (as opposed to an entrepreneur who makes another form of investment). Similar to the conditions mentioned above, an important criterion is to present an innovative start-up idea.
The “start-up” residence permit allows American investors to start a company when they are supervised by an experienced facilitator (in the previously mentioned investment route the presence of the facilitator was not a mandatory condition). This is part of the country’s support offered to start-up companies.
The conditions for start-ups opened by American investors are the following:
- have a facilitator: the facilitator is a company or an individual, a business mentor with extensive experience in guiding startups in the country; it is financially stable and it able to provide support without holding a majority interest in the startup and without being a family member up to the third degree; the collaboration between the American investor and the facilitator is confirmed through a signed agreement.
- present an innovative project: the product or service needs to be an innovative one;
- have a business plan: the American entrepreneur will be asked to present a step-by-step plan for the start-up;
- financial means: the applicant will need to show that he has sufficient financial means to reside and live in the country.
The Netherlands is a competitive EU economy and a country that offers many business advantages, among which a favorable location, a good business climate and start-up environment, multilingual employees, and a generally simple company incorporation procedure. US entrepreneurs who are in need of more information on how to obtain a residence permit for opening a start-up can reach out to ourNetherlands immigration specialists.
Find out more about moving to the Netherlands from this video:
Relocation services in the Netherlands for U.S. citizens
American citizens who want to immigrate to the Netherlandscan request professional help from a team of relocation experts. Our agents are able to help you inthe same way as aDutch immigration lawyer. Our relocation services are tailored to the needs of each new expat, according to his or her preferences for renting or buying a home in a Dutch city or the particularities related to his or her workplace. In case you areinterested in immigration to Germanyor to another European country, such asCyprus, we can put you in contact with our partners.
In case you need ahighly-skilled migrant visaor any other type of visa, our team is ready to assist you.
OurNetherlands immigrationagents can helpU.S. citizens who want to immigrate to the Netherlandswith the following expat services:
– visa or residence permit submissions;
– Municipal Personal Records Database registration and related submissions;
– renting or buying a home in the Netherlands;
– employment contract evaluation for detailed information on the conditions for workers in the country;
– assistance for opening a bank account and handling other financial matters;
–expat taxservices;
– insurance services.
Our experts are also able to advise you on the applicable tax incentives and/or the special regime that applies to talented foreign workers. The Netherlands has a 30 percent ruling that is essentially a 30percentage of reimbursem*nt for the expenses incurred for having to move and stay in the Netherlands for your new job. OurNetherlands immigrationspecialists can give you more information on how this rule applies and what are the employer’s obligations.
We are able to helpAmerican citizens who wish to work or live in the Netherlandswithpermit applications but also with connected services. It is often helpful to request the aid of a local expert when looking torent or buy a home in the Netherlands. We can also help them obtain any type ofDutch visa, including theDAFT visaor thehighly-skilled migrant visa.
Moreover, one of our agents is able to help you look for a property that meets your criteria. Furthermore, we can help you with the requiredregistration with the Municipal Personal Records Databaseand with other issues such as arranging for life and property insurance in the Netherlands.
OurNetherlands immigrationconsultants can help you if you are a U.S. citizen who is interested in relocating to the Netherlands.Contact usfor more information on relocating, obtainingDutch citizenshipand for personalized answers.
