Move to Netherlands

Canals, bikes and an open, English-friendly culture in compact cities

The Netherlands has no digital nomad visa. For most nationalities, self-employment requires passing a points test on experience, business plan and added value for the Dutch economy. US and Japanese citizens have a much easier route under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) and the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty: a business investment of at least €4,500 and Chamber of Commerce registration, with no entry visa needed.

Routes we checked
7
Digital nomad visa
Not in our data
Language
Dutch; English widely spoken
Currency
EUR
Last checked
30 October 2026

Work permitStudent visaFreelancer and self-employedResidence permit

Ways to live in the Netherlands

These are the residence routes in Bordr's guide that we have checked against official sources. Each one links to the government page.

Programme details are shown in English.

Work permit Work permits →

Highly skilled migrant residence permit

The main work route: a job with a Dutch employer that the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) recognises as a sponsor, at a salary above a set threshold.

What you need
Employment contract with a recognised sponsor and market-rate pay. Gross monthly salary in 2026: at least €5,942 if you are 30 or older, €4,357 if under 30, €3,122 for recent graduates of Dutch or top foreign universities.
Income
from about $6,890 a month
How long
Length of the contract, up to 5 years
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€423, paid by the employer
Processing time
up to 90 days by law, often faster
How to apply
The employer applies to the IND, together with the entry visa (MVV) if you are abroad
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
After 5 years you can apply for permanent residence.

Official page

EU Blue Card

EU-wide permit for university-educated specialists with a job offer of at least 12 months. Easier to move to another EU country later.

What you need
Higher education degree and a job contract. Gross salary in 2026: at least €5,942 a month, or €4,754 for recent graduates. The employer does not have to be a recognised sponsor.
Income
from about $6,890 a month
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€423
How to apply
Through the employer or yourself, at the IND
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Counts towards permanent residence after 5 years.

Official page

Student visa Student visas →

Student residence permit (university or higher professional education)

For full-time study at a Dutch university or university of applied sciences. The school applies on your behalf.

What you need
Admission to an institution recognised as a sponsor for study, and enough money to live on: €1,130.77 a month in 2026. Work up to 16 hours a week (employer needs a work permit) or full-time in June–August; self-employment is allowed with registration at the Chamber of Commerce.
How long
Length of the study programme plus 3 months, up to 5 years
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€254
Processing time
up to 60 days
How to apply
The educational institution applies to the IND
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
After graduating you can switch to the orientation year to look for work.

Official page

Freelancer and self-employed Freelancer and self-employed visas →

Self-employed permit under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)

For US citizens who set up and run their own business or work as independent professionals in the Netherlands. No points test; minimum investment €4,500 for most business forms.

What you need
US citizenship and either trade between the Netherlands and the US or running a business here, e.g. investing at least €4,500 (about $5,220). Within 6 months register with the Chamber of Commerce and invest; renewal needs annual accounts showing the business is active.
Savings
about $5,220
How long
Up to 2 years, extendable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€423 (about $490); same for extension
Processing time
Up to 90 days by law; can be extended by up to 6 months
How to apply
Directly with the Dutch immigration service (IND) in the Netherlands; no entry visa needed
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes. After 5 years of residence you can apply for permanent residence.

Official page

Self-employed permit under the Dutch-Japanese Trade Treaty

The same simplified self-employed route as DAFT, for Japanese citizens: no points test, minimum investment €4,500 for most business forms.

What you need
Japanese citizenship and either trade between the Netherlands and Japan or running a business here, e.g. investing at least €4,500 (about $5,220). Chamber of Commerce registration and investment within 6 months; annual accounts at renewal.
Savings
about $5,220
How long
Up to 2 years, extendable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€423 (about $490); same for extension
Processing time
Up to 90 days by law; can be extended by up to 6 months
How to apply
Directly with the Dutch immigration service (IND) in the Netherlands; no entry visa needed
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes. After 5 years of residence you can apply for permanent residence.

Official page

Residence permit for self-employed persons (points-based)

The general route for other nationalities: your business must serve an essential Dutch interest, assessed on a points system by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency.

What you need
Chamber of Commerce registration, any required professional permits and at least 30 points each for experience, business plan and added value to the Netherlands. The plan must show gross profit of at least €1,766.77 a month (about $2,050, level for July–December 2026); an entry visa is needed unless your nationality is exempt.
Income
from about $2,050 a month
How long
Up to 2 years, extendable
Renewable
Yes
Cost
€423 (about $490)
Processing time
Up to 90 days by law; can be extended by up to 6 months for expert advice
How to apply
Entry visa and residence permit together at a Dutch embassy or consulate, or directly with the immigration service if visa-exempt
Family
Family members can come with you
Path to permanent residence
Yes. After 5 years of residence you can apply for permanent residence.

Official page

Residence permit Residence permits →

Orientation year for highly educated persons

One year to look for a job or start a business after a Dutch degree, Dutch research, or a master's or PhD from a top-200 university abroad. You may work freely.

What you need
Degree completed within the last 3 years. Foreign degrees must be from an institution in the top 200 of at least two of three rankings (Times Higher Education, QS, ShanghaiRanking), evaluated by Nuffic, plus IELTS 6.0 or an English- or Dutch-taught programme.
How long
1 year, cannot be extended
Renewable
No
Cost
€254
How to apply
Online or by post to the IND
Path to permanent residence
Once you find a job you can switch to a highly skilled migrant permit at the lower graduate salary, or to a self-employed or start-up permit.

Official page

Cost of living

Monthly amounts in US dollars.

Room in a shared flat$700
One-bedroom flat$1,340
Two-bedroom flat$2,030
Bills$180
Typical local salary$3,920

Cities to consider

Climate by month, neighbourhoods and costs for each city are in the Bordr guide.

What life is like

Programme details are shown in English.

Why people move

Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam and The Hague each offer a different mood, from canal houses to bold architecture. Life runs on bikes, markets and terraces, and an international workforce makes settling in easier.

Day to day

Frequent trains link every city, and cycling is the default for short trips. Healthcare starts with a family doctor who refers to specialists. Debit cards rule and some places refuse cash. English is spoken almost everywhere.

Trade-offs

The housing shortage is severe and rentals are highly competitive. Weather is grey, windy and wet much of the year. Some foreign credit cards are not accepted in shops.

Before you move: visa-free entry

Most people arrive as visitors first, then apply from inside the country or come back with the right visa. How long you can stay as a visitor depends on your passport:

Visa rules for every passport

Questions

Does Netherlands have a digital nomad visa?

Not among the routes we have checked. Remote workers usually come as visitors within the visa-free limit or use one of the other routes on this page.

How can I move to Netherlands?

The routes we have checked are: Work permit, Student visa, Freelancer and self-employed, Residence permit.

When was this information checked?

The residence routes for the Netherlands were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

Sources and last check

Residence routes for the Netherlands were last checked against official sources on 30 October 2026.

This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change; confirm with the official government page or a licensed adviser before you apply.

Other countries in Europe