Your guide to Netherlands citizenship, visas and passports.

Why live in the Netherlands?

A small country with a big attitude, where climate change is a challenge that creates opportunities and jobs rather than a threat and the motto ‘live and let live’ goes for everyone.

Dutch are known for being tolerant, open minded and thinking outside the box. The capital city Amsterdam is home to over 200 nationalities and its no surprise that people from all over the world find a home here as the country is the fourth happiest place on earth to live and has the thirteenth highest per capita income world wide.

Another characteristic of this small country is its progressiveness and the Dutch can be counted on to take the first steps in a new direction. It was the first country in the world to legalize gay marriage and ‘Max Havelaar’ was the first fair trade label in the world. Rotterdam has the largest seaport in Europe and facilitates a lot of trade with other countries. The Netherlands was also one of the six founding countries of the EU.

Staying fit and enjoying the clean environment is no challenge as many Dutch people commute to work by bike. There are more bicycles than people and with 15,000 kilometers of bike lanes it is a safe, quick and healthy way to travel.

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The Netherlands Visas and Permits

The Netherlands is part of the EU so people with citizenship of countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) can move, live and work freely in the Netherlands.

Netherlands Independent Entrepreneur Visa

To qualify you’ll need a comprehensive business plan that proves your business will add value to the Dutch economy or, if you are a freelancer, that you have Dutch clients. You’ll also need to show a net profit of € 1,192.96 per month that needs to be independent and long-term. You also need to score adequately on a points system. The points system is based on your experience, education, entrepreneurship, income amongst other things.

US, Japanese and Turkish citizens can take advantage of treaties between their countries and the Netherlands and in some cases, do not need to meet the points threshold. You’ll still need to meet the general requirements.

Startup Visa

The founder/s of a startup can be eligible for a Startup visa if they meet the following conditions:

Collaboration with a reliable and experienced facilitator.
The product or service is innovative.
The start-up entrepreneur has a (step-by-step) plan in order to move from idea to business.
The start-up entrepreneur and the facilitator are both registered in the Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce.
There are sufficient financial means (resources) to be able to reside and live in the Netherlands.

Working Holiday visa

If you are a citizen of Canada, Australia, Argentina, South Korea or New Zealand between the ages of 18-30, you may be eligible for a 1-year working holiday visa.

To find out if you need a tourist visa to visit the Netherlands, please use the VisaHQ tool below.

Family Visas

If your spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of the Netherlands, you are probably eligible for residency. Please note that your status of spouse needs to be legally recognised in this country.
See the citizenship section for more information on residency or citizenship based on descent.

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Citizenship through your family

If your mother was a citizen of the Netherlands when you were born after 31 December 1984, you are probably also a citizen the Netherlands.
If your father was a citizen of the Netherlands when you were born, you are probably also a citizen the Netherlands. If your parents were not married at the time of your birth, your father needs to have acknowledged you before the age of 7.

The Netherlands Investment Visa

If you invest €1,250,000 in a Dutch company, you can apply for a investor residence permit in Netherlands. Your investment must add value to the Dutch economy. This is assessed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO).