Dutch Business Visa for U.S. Freelancers: Moving to Europe from the USA in 2026

Moving to Europe is a major goal for many Americans in 2026. Still, strict visa rules often make it difficult to achieve: you need a job offer from a local company, a very high salary, or a European passport. But if you are a U.S. citizen looking for an accessible way to enter Europe, you might be overlooking the Netherlands.

While countries like Portugal and Spain are famous for their “Digital Nomad” visas, the Netherlands has a special, lesser-known business visa as part of an agreement specifically for Americans: The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT).

This treaty allows U.S. entrepreneurs and freelancers to bypass the complex immigration systems that other nationalities face.

You do not need a Dutch employer. You do not need to speak Dutch fluently upon arrival. You simply need to start a business, and the barrier to entry is surprisingly low.

This guide covers everything you need to know about using this treaty to make your (and your family’s) move to the Netherlands possible in 2026. We will explain the €4,500 investment rule, the new administrative fees, and the specific steps to get your residence permit.

The 2026 DAFT Visa Requirements Checklist

Before you book your flight or resign from your current job, you must ensure you meet the hard criteria. For 2026, the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has updated specific fees and enforcement policies.

1. The “Hard” Numbers

• Nationality: You must hold a valid U.S. passport.
• Minimum Investment: You must deposit a minimum of €4,500 into a Dutch business bank account.
• IND Application Fee: The 2026 fee for the main applicant has increased to €423. (Partners pay €254; minor children pay €85).

Crucial Note: The Minimum Investment is a working capital, not a fee. It must remain in your business account for the entire duration of your visa. You cannot spend it on personal rent or groceries.

2. The Documentation Gaps

Most rejections or delays happen here. You cannot simply submit a U.S. bank statement.

• The Opening Balance Sheet: You must provide a balance sheet signed by a Dutch accountant or financial advisor with a BECON number. A letter from a U.S. CPA is not accepted.
• Apostilled Documents: Your birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if applicable) must have an Apostille from the U.S. Secretary of State where it was issued.
  • Pro Tip: Some Dutch municipalities (Gemeenten) require these apostilles to be less than 6 months old at the time of registration. Check this before you travel.

3. The “Pseudo Self-Employment” Risk (2026 Update)

The Netherlands is currently cracking down on schijnzelfstandigheid (false self-employment). To qualify for DAFT, you must be a genuine freelancer.

• You generally need multiple clients.
• You must have autonomy over how and when you work.
• If you have only one client (especially if it is your former U.S. employer), the IND may classify you as an employee, which disqualifies you for the DAFT visa.

Finding a Dutch accountant willing to take on a new DAFT client for a single balance sheet can be difficult. EMG works with a trusted network of financial partners who specialize in DAFT applications, ensuring your Opening Balance Sheet meets the specific IND format requirements without the headache of cold-calling firms.

Step-by-Step: The In-Country Application Process

Most U.S. freelancers enter the Netherlands as tourists and handle the application from within the country. While this sounds convenient, the clock is ticking: you have 90 days to complete this entire sequence before your tourist status expires.

Here is the exact order of operations to avoid administrative gridlock.

Step 1: Arrival & Immediate Submission

Upon arrival, you are technically a tourist. You cannot work yet. Your first priority is to initiate the case with the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service).

• Action: Submit the “Application for residence permit for a self-employed person” online via the IND portal.
• Result: You will receive a confirmation letter containing your V-Number (Alien Number). You need this number for every subsequent appointment.

Step 2: The Residence Endorsement Sticker (Crucial Step)

Do not skip this. Many freelancers assume they can start working immediately after submitting the application. This is false.

• Action: As soon as you have your V-Number, book an appointment at an IND desk to receive a Residence Endorsement Sticker (verblijfssticker).
• Why: This sticker proves your legal stay while the application processes. For DAFT applicants, it typically includes the text: “Arbeid als zelfstandige toegestaan” (Work as a self-employed person permitted).
• Status: Once you have this sticker in your passport, you can legally start onboarding clients and billing.

Step 3: Municipal Registration (The BSN)

You cannot open a business bank account or tax file without a Citizen Service Number (BSN).

• Action: Book an appointment at the municipality (Gemeente) where you are living.
• Documents Needed:
  • Valid Passport.
  • Apostilled Birth Certificate.
  • Rental Contract or signed permission from a homeowner.
• Result: You will receive your BSN (usually immediately or by mail within a week) and your DigiD (digital ID) login shortly after.

Step 4: Chamber of Commerce (KvK) Registration

Now that you have a BSN and a Residence Sticker, you must register your business.

• Action: Book an appointment at the Kamer van Koophandel (KvK).
• Cost: Approximately €85.15 (2026 rate), card payment only.
• Detail: You will register as an Eenmanszaak (Sole Proprietorship). You will leave this appointment with your official KvK Extract, which serves as your proof of business registration.

Step 5: The Banking “Catch-22”

This is the most difficult step for Americans due to FATCA regulations and strict bank compliance. You need a Dutch business bank account to deposit your €4,500 investment.

• The Challenge: Traditional banks are risk-averse regarding U.S. citizens.
• The Solution: Bring your KvK Extract, Passport, and BSN to an expat-friendly bank (e.g., ABN AMRO, ING, or Bunq).
• Action: Open the account and deposit the €4,500.
• Note: Some banks allow you to open the account before you have the physical BSN letter, provided you supply it within 90 days.

Step 6: Finalizing the File

Once the money is in the account, you must close the loop with the IND.

• Action: Have your accountant prepare the Opening Balance Sheet showing the €4,500 capital.
• Upload: Submit the Balance Sheet and your Bank Statement to the IND portal to complete your application.

The “Step 3 / Step 4 / Step 5” sequence is where most DIY applications fail. If you cannot find a rental apartment that allows registration, you cannot get a BSN. If you don’t get a BSN, you cannot register at the KvK or open a bank account. EMG manages this entire logistical chain, helping you secure compliant housing and coordinating appointments so you don’t run out of time on your 90-day entry stamp.

Processing Times: What to Expect in 2026

Once your application is submitted, the waiting game begins.

• Standard Timeline: Legally, the IND has 90 days to make a decision.
• The “Expedited” Reality: For 2026, the IND is continuing a pilot program where correctly filed applications (with all digital documents uploaded perfectly) are often processed in 6 to 8 weeks.
• Family Members: If you are applying with a spouse or children, their applications are usually processed concurrently.
  • Important Note: While you can work immediately with your endorsement sticker, your partner usually cannot work for a Dutch employer until the final residence permit card is issued.

Secure Your Move with Expert Guidance

The DAFT visa is “friendly” for American citizens, but the logistics are unforgiving. A missed apostille, a rejected bank application, or a misunderstanding of the “pseudo self-employment” rules can cost you months and thousands in lost revenue.

Executive Mobility Group (EMG) specializes in navigating these complexities for U.S. citizens. We don’t just hand you a form and leave you alone to solve it; we manage the entire ecosystem of your move (with you):

• Reviewing your business case to ensure it meets 2026 IND standards.
• Coordinating the critical timeline of City Hall, KvK, and Banking appointments.
• Connecting you with our vetted network of DAFT-specialized accountants.