You can start your own business in the Netherlands and work as a self-employed trader. In order to obtain a residence permit for this, your business must meet the following conditions:

  • Your work must be of fundamental importance to the Dutch economy
  • You must earn sufficient income from your business. This means that you must earn at least 70% of the statutory minimum wage

Whether your business is of fundamental importance to the Dutch economy will be determined by the Immigration & Naturalisation Service (Immigratie- en Naturalisatiedienst, or ‘IND’) on the basis of a points system. The IND will examine three aspects: your personal experience, your business plan and the added value that your business offers the Netherlands.

Different conditions apply to Turkish, Japanese and American citizens.

Different conditions apply if you want to establish a ‘start-up’. You can read these conditions here.

If you would like to find out whether you can start your own business in the Netherlands, e-mail or call our attorneys for a telephone consultation without obligation.

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