While a standalone Netherlands digital nomad visa is not in place, foreign entrepreneurs can apply for the self-employed professional or freelancer residence permit. When applying for the equivalent of a digital nomad visa in the Netherlands, foreign nationals need to comply with a set of requirements, and different rules apply to EU/EEA nationals. Our Netherlands immigration specialists can help you apply for a residence permit that will suit your self-employed status and will allow you to spend time in the Netherlands while you work remotely.
A digital nomad is a professional who can work in various locations, as per his or her own choice. This high level of flexibility, and the fact that the type of work one is engaged in is not dependent on a fixed business location, allows the individual to move from one city to another.
Amsterdam is a popular choice for digital nomads, given its openness towards foreign nationals, lifestyle and quality of life, and, equally important, its proximity to other European capital cities.
As in the case of other residence permits, specific regulations are in place for the self-employed foreign national who intends to reside in the Netherlands for medium to long-term periods. An important distinction is made between freelancers or digital nomads from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, compared to those from outside these areas.
Table of Contents
Permits for digital nomads in the Netherlands according to nationality
Foreign nationals who want to live in the Netherlands for a period of time while deriving income from non-Dutch sources can generally do so under a residence permit for self-employed professionals or freelancers.
While several conditions apply to this type of Dutch residence permit, which are described in more detail below, our Netherlands immigration experts briefly describe some common scenarios according to nationality. These can be used as a starting point to determine your situation:
- Self-employed individual of freelancer from an EEA Member State or Switzerland: you can freely come and work in the Netherlands without a work permit. For stays of no more than three months, you do not have to apply for registration with the authorities. A proper income stream is required, however, to ensure an adequate quality of life in the Netherlands (sufficient income to cover expenses such as accommodation, food, and services; medical insurance is required, however, digital nomads are already covering this aspect in most cases);
- Self-employed individual of freelancer from outside the EEA or Switzerland: a residence permit for self-employed activities is required. This is applied for before relocating to the Netherlands, as it mandatory in order to enter the country and remain here to work as a freelancer. General and specific documents are required when you apply for this permit and they include IDs and proof of medical insurance, proof of sufficient income, and others.
Below, our Dutch immigration lawyer answers some commonly asked questions about the self-employed residence permit, the equivalent of the Netherlands digital nomad visa. For more detailed answers, as well as an analysis of specific work or self-employed situations, please reach out to our local team of experts.
What are the general conditions for the Netherlands digital nomad visa?
Obtaining a self-employed residence permit, which allows foreign professionals to remain in the country as digital nomads, is different as per the applicant’s nationality. For example, EU/EEA or Swiss nationals and their family members can live in the country for less than 3 months and only need a valid passport.
The general conditions that apply to those who remain in the Netherlands irrespective of their nationality are the following:
- have a valid passport or travel document; children can be included on their parents’ passport;
- sign a certificate concerning antecedents – this offers information on the applicant’s criminal record (the applicant cannot have committed any crimes);
- take a tuberculosis test (only applicable to foreign nationals from selected countries).
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Special regime for a digital nomad visa in the Netherlands | There is no official digital nomad visa, however, remote workers can use a self-employed residence permit. |
| Visa entry requirements for the Netherlands | The applicant may also need to apply for a provisional residence permit (MVV) in addition to the self-employed residence permit depending on nationality. Exemptions apply for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. |
| Maximum period in the country without a visa | Entry without an MVV for those who require it is not applicable. |
| Short-term residence duration | 1 year |
| Long-term residence duration | 2 years, subject to renewal |
| Visa for frequent travellers | Not applicable |
| Documents required for the self-employed applying for a digital nomad visa in the Netherlands | Proof of meeting the requirements for working as a self-employed person, proof of meeting the income requirements. |
| Self-employed person visa validity | 2 years |
| Minimum income for self-employed persons | Gross profit per month (with holiday allowance) – € 1,613 |
| Investor or business visa available (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Permanent residence in the Netherlands (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Permanent residence conditions | Foreign nationals can apply after a 5 year lawful stay in the country. Other conditions are in place. |
| Dependents can join the visa holder in the Netherlands | Yes |
| Family reunification option | It is possible to be joined by the spouse, registered partner or minor child/children. Conditions apply. |
| Taxation requirements for the holder of a digital nomad visa in the Netherlands | If you derive income from the Netherlands as part of your self-employed work you will need to pay taxes and VAT in almost all cases. |
What is the scoring system?
The self-employed residence permit, which can be used as a Netherlands digital nomad visa is based on a scoring system that has three parts:
- Personal experience: this can include education, previous work experience, and other entrepreneurship activities;
- Business plan: a presentation of the product or service, the price, financing, and others;
- The added value to the Netherlands: innovation, creating new jobs, making investments.
The scoring system is the following:
- The three parts each amount to a total of 300 points;
- The applicant needs to obtain at least 90 points;
- For each of the three parts, the applicant needs a minimum of 30 points.
The scoring system does not apply to Turkish nationals or those who are long-term residents in another EU country.
The Dutch American Friendship Treaty and Dutch Japanese Trade Treaty make it possible for these foreign nationals who do business with the Netherlands or develop a company in the country to be subject to different conditions for this residence permit. You can reach out to our team for information on the Netherlands digital nomad visa if you are an American or Japanese national.
The DAFT Treaty signed between the United States of America and the Netherlands can be a solution for digital nomads who wish to relocate to Amsterdam. Under this treaty, an applicant who practices an independent profession can obtain a visa for two years (however, there are some limitations, for example, it does not apply to the healthcare sector). Our team can give you more details.
What are the conditions for freelancers in the Netherlands?
Living in the Netherlands as a freelancer can be a suitable option for many digital nomads. In addition to obtaining the right type of residence permit presented above, a permit that can be seen as a Netherlands digital nomad visa, foreign nationals will need to comply with the following:
- have one or more jobs or commissions that they will perform in the Netherlands as a freelancer; this means that one will need to provide sufficient proof of relevant opportunities for work;
- register with the Chamber of Commerce;
- meet the requirements to practice the profession (present any relevant licenses).
We invite you to watch a video about the visa for digital nomads:
What are the estimated costs for the digital nomad visa in the Netherlands?
The general costs for the residence permit issued for work as a self-employed person (which also applies in the case of an applicant under the Dutch-Japanese or Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) are exemplified below:
- The first application: EUR423;
- Self-employed residence permit extension: EUR423.
- Change of purpose (from self-employed to another purpose of stay): EUR423.
Please keep in mind that these costs for the Netherlands digital nomad visa are estimated and can be subject to change by the authorities.
The digital nomad visa is only suitable for some categories of foreign nationals. If you have questions about the other available residence permits in the Netherlands, those for employees in the Netherlands or for highly qualified professionals, such as researchers, our team can help you. We can assess your case prior to your submission to the Immigration and Naturalization Service.
Digital nomads will enjoy Amsterdam’s vibrancy and lifestyle. While it is true that many digital nomads enjoy their independence and wish to ensure that they continue to work in this manner, others may find that they wish to remain in the Netherlands. If this is your case, our team can give you more details about the long-term residence and even Dutch citizenship, if you are interested.
Contact our Dutch immigration specialists to find out more about the self-employed residence permit and to receive personalized assistance during the application process.