How to obtain a Startup Visa to the Netherlands and apply for a residence permit on this basis

The Startup Visa program in the Netherlands allows entrepreneurs to obtain a residence permit and relocate to this European country, which is ranked second in the world for standard of living. Launched in 2026, the Startup Visa program (Verblijfsvergunning voor startende ondernemers) aims to attract talented entrepreneurs to stimulate economic growth and job creation. The main requirement for participation is that your project be innovative and technologically advanced. Unlike other European countries with similar programs, the Netherlands only grants 1-year residence permits that are not renewable.

Despite this, the Netherlands is popular among entrepreneurs. Today, the country is a leader in Europe for startups, with over 8,000. This is due to active support from intermediaries who advise on development strategies and optimal tax legislation. Many renowned global companies are based in the Netherlands, including the online accommodation booking service Booking.com, the payment platform Adyen, and the takeaway food ordering platform Takeaway.com.

Eligibility requirements for the Startup Visa Program in the Netherlands

The program is intended for foreign entrepreneurs without EU citizenship. To participate, applicants must develop a product or service that is unique to the local market and focuses on innovation and technology. The program is suitable for aspiring and experienced entrepreneurs with a solid business idea.

Participation grants you a residence permit for up to 1 year. It cannot be extended, so after 12 months, you will need to switch to another type of residence permit. The best option is a residence permit for the self-employed. After 5 years, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency and/or citizenship. However, to obtain a passport, you will need to demonstrate proficiency in Dutch at least at level A2.

Although the Netherlands’ startup visa is appealing, it comes with strict requirements, a mandatory facilitator, and only a 1-year residence permit that can be extended indefinitely. In many cases, startup programs in other EU countries with more transparent, long-term conditions are more advantageous. Sign up for a consultation with our immigration specialists to find the best program for you.

Why startup entrepreneurs choose the Netherlands

International entrepreneurs choose the Netherlands for their startups because:

• Legal status can be obtained through an idea. A residence permit is issued during the startup’s development phase. The company does not need to generate income at the time of the residency application.
• There are no initial investment requirements. You don’t need to invest hundreds of thousands of euros immediately.
• Approval is fast. A startup visa and residence permit are issued within 3 months.
• There are no language requirements. You don’t need to learn Dutch, and applications can be submitted in English, French, or German.
• Experienced intermediaries provide support. Qualified local companies will help you develop a strategy that considers the specifics of the Dutch business environment.
• There are favorable tax conditions. Startups can claim a payroll tax deduction, and the corporate tax rate in the Netherlands is 19% on annual profits of up to EUR 200,000. Incidentally, startups in Spain pay only 15% for 4 years.

Startup Visa applicant requirements

To obtain a residence permit in the Netherlands based on a startup, you must have a valid passport and meet the following requirements:

• Attest to lawful conduct. Complete an application (Antecedents Certificate) confirming that you do not pose a threat to national security or public order in the Netherlands. All applicants over 12 years of age must submit the form.
• Sign a contract with a facilitator. This intermediary helps develop a startup and is certified by the Agency for Enterprise Development (RVO). The contract can only be signed with a facilitator certified by the Agency for Enterprise Development (RVO).
• Prove the innovative nature of your company. You must demonstrate that your product or service is new to the Dutch market. For example, you could plan to use previously unknown technologies in production, marketing, or distribution, or take an unconventional approach to work or organization.
• Prove your significant role in the company. You cannot simply be a shareholder or investor. It is important to confirm that you played an active role in creating the startup. For example, you could have developed the idea or implemented the technical aspect (such as developing a website/app).
• Have a business plan. Develop a step-by-step plan from the initial idea to the creation of the company. Be sure to specify the company’s structure and legal form, as well as its employees and their roles and responsibilities. Describe the company’s purpose and mission in detail, as well as the innovative product or service and activities related to establishing the startup.
• Legally operate. In order to conduct business, you must register with the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel — KvK). This requirement also applies to facilitators.
• Have sufficient funds. You must prove that the funds in your Dutch bank account are sufficient for 1 year of residence in the Netherlands. In 2025, this equates to a minimum of EUR 20,374, approximately EUR 1,697.82 per month. A facilitator may finance your annual stay.

Obtaining a Start-Up Visa to the Netherlands: A step-by-step guide

Moving to the Netherlands with a start-up involves 9 stages:

1. Develop a business idea. Your future company should stand out in the Dutch market. For example, a beauty salon is not a startup. However, if you develop a unique artificial intelligence-based application that helps clients choose beauty treatments and makes appointments with specialists who meet all the criteria (work experience, education, sociability, etc.), your business is closer to being innovative.
2. Prepare a business plan. Describe how the product or service will benefit customers and explain what makes it innovative. Conduct a thorough analysis of the niche: look at what your competitors have and don’t have, explain why your idea is superior. Be sure to draw up a marketing plan and a scaling strategy. Calculate the company’s profitability for the upcoming year (or, better yet, several years).
3. Select a facilitator. A list of certified intermediaries is available on the official RVO website. Study everyone’s proposals and find out if the selected facilitator is accepting new applications. Due to heavy workloads, some facilitators temporarily suspend the procedure.
4. Present your idea and sign an agreement with the facilitator. Contact the selected intermediary in a way that is convenient for you — for example, by phone, through a feedback form, or by registering on their website. The most common option is to register on the facilitator’s website, fill out a form, and attach your business plan. Once the intermediary has reviewed your idea, they will contact you. If your startup is approved, you will need to sign a contract.
5. Register with the Chamber of Commerce. The procedure differs depending on the company’s chosen legal form. For example, if you are an individual entrepreneur, you first submit documents online and then visit the Chamber of Commerce office in person. Limited liability companies are registered through a Dutch notary. The facilitator will provide all the necessary details.
6. Open a bank account. You need an account to prove that you have the funds to live in the Netherlands. You can only become a bank client if you have citizenship or a residence permit for this country. There are two options: The first option is to contact a third party, such as a facilitator, and ask them to open a postbus account, which is a special bank account associated with your personalized mailbox. The second option is to use a third-party account that was opened with a local notary.
7. Prepare the documents. All documents for a start-up visa must be in Dutch, English, German, or French. If the documents are in a different language, they must be translated, and copies of the translations and originals must be provided.
8. Request a long-term visa and residence permit. Contact the Dutch embassy or consulate in your area. There, you will apply for a long-term visa (MVV) and a residence permit simultaneously. The processing time for the application is 3 months. During this period, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (De Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst — IND) reviews the application and requests all necessary information about the start-up and the facilitator from the RVO.
9. Obtain a visa. You must obtain the visa from the embassy/consulate within 3 months of the approval date (you will receive the decision by mail). During your visit, you will provide biometric data, including your signature and fingerprints. Be sure to bring a recent photo measuring 35 x 45 mm. After completing the process, you will receive a passport with a 90-day visa attached, which allows you to travel to the Netherlands.

You can bypass the embassy/consulate visit if you can enter the Netherlands visa-free, already have a short-term C visa, or are legally present in the country (e.g., with another type of residence permit). You or your facilitator must contact the IND directly to apply for a residence permit through your startup.

Documents required for submitting the application

To apply for a Dutch startup visa, please prepare the following:

• A completed startup visa application.
• A copy of your passport pages with personal information and visas. No blank pages are required.
• A completed statement of no criminal record.
• A business plan demonstrating the innovative nature of your company.
• A completed declaration stating that you have not cooperated with Russian or Belarusian companies included on the EU sanctions list.
• A signed agreement with your facilitator.
• Proof of your means of support in the Netherlands.
• Proof of your facilitator’s credibility and competence (if applicable).

There are several ways to demonstrate your ability to support yourself financially in the Netherlands:

• Individually. Provide a copy of a bank statement from a Dutch bank in your name or your company’s name. The available balance must be indicated. A copy of a bank statement from a foreign bank is also acceptable. In this case, the monthly amount transferred to the Dutch account must be indicated.
• Through a facilitator. If the intermediary is financing you in part, you must draw up and sign a corresponding agreement with them. The agreement must specify the amount to be provided.
• Through a third party. This option is suitable for those who receive additional support, such as from relatives. You must provide a bank statement or a statement from the third party indicating the total balance and the monthly transfer amount. A copy of the passport of the person providing financial support is required.

You do not need to prove the facilitator’s credibility if the RVO gave them a positive assessment within 1 year of submitting your Start-Up Visa application. If there is no recommendation, or if the recommendation was issued more than 12 months ago, you must prove the facilitator’s competence with documents. The more documents you provide, the better. Such documents include:

• proof of at least 2 years of experience working with startups;
• the facilitator’s financial statements;
• references and the facilitator’s resume.

How to obtain a Dutch residence permit for a startup

After arriving in the Netherlands, you need to:

1. Obtain a residence permit

   This document is issued by the IND. Once it is ready, the IND will send you a letter with your address. Sign up for an appointment online through the IND Desk or another service, depending on the municipality. Bring your passport.

   Please note that you receive a residence permit in the Netherlands through a startup for one year and cannot renew it. You can, however, change the purpose of your stay. For comparison, startups in France receive residence permits for 4 years, and in Spain, for 3 years. In both countries, multiple renewals are possible.

2. Rent an accommodation

   Prices vary depending on the city and location. For example, monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in central Amsterdam is EUR 2,100, while in the suburbs, it’s EUR 1,800. Prices are lower in other cities. For example, a central apartment in Maastricht costs EUR 1,100 per month, while outside the city, the cost is EUR 940. In Rotterdam, similar housing costs EUR 1,500 or EUR 1,300 per month.

3. Register with the municipality

   This process must be completed within 5 days of arrival. Your information will be entered into the general personal records database (Basisregistratie Personen — BRP). You will need to provide a translated and notarized birth certificate, as well as proof of residence in the country. First, schedule an appointment with the municipality either by phone, in person, or by another available method. The government agency determines the processing time for your application on a case-by-case basis, but it usually takes about 4 weeks. You will receive an identification number (Burgerservicenummer — BSN).

4. Apply for local health insurance

   This must be done within 4 months of entering the Netherlands. Contact a government-approved insurance company and obtain a policy.

5. Meet with a facilitator

   Arrange a personal meeting with your facilitator. Discuss your startup development strategy and the stages of implementing your idea. The facilitator will explain important points to help you adapt to the Dutch business environment.

Program costs

Applying for a residence permit in the Netherlands through a Startup Visa involves the following costs:

Considering all these expenses, you need at least EUR 3,500 for your first month in the Netherlands. Remember, you also need to have at least EUR 20,374 in your bank account.

Alternatives to the Dutch Startup Visa

Relocating to Europe through a startup isn’t limited to the Netherlands. Today, other economically developed countries, such as Spain, Portugal, and France, also offer this opportunity. Let’s compare the main terms and benefits of startup visas in these countries:

Objectively, the Netherlands is not the most advantageous option. Applications are processed faster in Spain, and residence permits are issued for longer periods in France. These two countries also offer immediate family immigration. iWorld specialists can help you choose a country, develop a business plan, and relocate. Sign up for a free consultation.

Obtain an EU residence permit through a startup:

• Simple and clear terms
• A 3-4 year residence permit with the opportunity to extend
• Residency for the entire family
• Access to the EU market

Free

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