Americans get one of Europe's easiest routes: under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, you can live in the Netherlands as a self-employed person by registering a business and investing €4,500 in it. There's no income minimum or points test.
Checked against the sources at the end on November 2, 2026. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you apply.
At a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Visit first | 90 days in any 180 (Schengen) |
| Route for remote workers | Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) self-employed permit |
| Money you need to show | No income minimum. You must register a Dutch business (often a sole proprietorship) and invest at least €4,500, which must stay in the business |
| Length | Up to 2 years, then renewable for 5 years |
| Government fees | Set by the IND; check the current fee table |
| Timeline | The IND aims to decide within 90 days |
| Where you apply | Arrive visa-free, register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and your municipality, then apply to the IND in the Netherlands |
| Family | Spouse and children can join and work without a work permit |
| Long-term residence | Permanent residence after 5 years; Dutch citizenship normally requires giving up US citizenship |
| US taxes | Still due every year. See our US taxes and banking guide |
Who qualifies
Americans get one of Europe's easiest routes: under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, you can live in the Netherlands as a self-employed person by registering a business and investing €4,500 in it. There's no income minimum or points test.
- Remote employees of companies outside Netherlands: not on this route.
- Freelancers and business owners: yes.
- Money: No income minimum. You must register a Dutch business (often a sole proprietorship) and invest at least €4,500, which must stay in the business.
Open question: Fees change each January; check the IND fee table.
Documents
Order US documents first: apostilles and FBI checks are the slowest part.
- US passport
- Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration
- Proof of €4,500 invested in a Dutch business account
- Dutch address registration (BRP)
- Business plan
- Health insurance (Dutch basic insurance is required once resident)
Step by step from the US
- Check your numbers against the rule above, using the last 6 to 12 months of income.
- Order US documents: FBI background check, apostilles and translations where needed.
- Apply: Arrive visa-free, register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and your municipality, then apply to the IND in the Netherlands.
- Buy health insurance that meets the requirement for your whole stay.
- Arrive and register your address and any residence card on time.
Taxes
- Dutch tax resident once your home is in the Netherlands
- The 30% ruling is for employees hired from abroad, not DAFT freelancers
- The US-Netherlands treaty and totalization agreement prevent most double tax
- Dutch basic health insurance is mandatory for residents
- US citizens still file a US return every year. The foreign earned income exclusion is up to $132,900 for 2026; the foreign tax credit is the alternative. See our US taxes guide.
Common mistakes
- Your business must be real and active: renewals check annual accounts
- Housing in Amsterdam and Utrecht is scarce; budget time
- You can't simply be a remote employee of a US company on DAFT
Where to live in Netherlands
Our city guides cover costs in dollars, neighborhoods, live weather and the time difference: Amsterdam · Rotterdam · Utrecht · The Hague.
Moving with a partner or kids? See Moving abroad with family.
Sources
Checked on November 2, 2026. Where sources disagree, we say so above.
- IND: Residence permit self-employed person, Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (official)
- IamExpat: What is DAFT?
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