The Startup Visa Netherlands is a one-year residence permit for innovative founders from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. You must work with an RVO-recognised facilitator. The IND decides the application; RVO advises on innovation, the facilitator, and the step-by-step plan.
Updated August 2026
The Startup Visa Netherlands (Dutch Startup Visa) is a one-year residence permit for innovative founders from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland who partner with an RVO-recognised facilitator. The IND decides the application; RVO advises on innovation, the facilitator, and the step-by-step plan. For 2026 fees, who pays what, and how long the IND takes, see Dutch Startup Visa cost and timeline.
Your application must be supported by a facilitator recognised by The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). We act as your proposed facilitator, subject to IND and RVO assessment.
Your business must be innovative for the Dutch market, with a clear step-by-step plan. We help you structure this for RVO and IND review.
You must show sufficient resources to support yourself. The current minimum for a single applicant is €13,393 (subject to annual updates).
After the startup year, founders typically transition toward the self-employed residence permit if the business is viable.
Already in The Netherlands on a zoekjaar (orientation year)? Read zoekjaar to Startup Visa and work backwards from your expiry date. US citizens may also consider the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) self-employed route. Japanese nationals have a parallel treaty route.
From first application to self-employed founder, in four stages
Eligibility, strategy, business plan, and the IND application and entry visa (MVV), prepared before you move.
You land: MVV pickup, BSN, KVK registration, banking, and your Dutch setup.
Your startup year with ongoing support to build traction in the business.
From month nine we prepare the self-employed application, and we submit it if you meet the requirements and the program evaluation is positive.
A route assessment, a reviewed self-employed application, or full startup-visa facilitation.
Route assessment and a next-step recommendation:
Credited once, within 14 days, toward the next programme that matches that route.
Build your self-employment application yourself, with an expert review before you submit:
You write and submit. We identify weak evidence and inconsistencies. No facilitator, no full dossier drafting, and no IND correspondence. A startup visa requires a facilitator. This package is not that filing.
Not a substitute for Full Facilitation. If you take Full Facilitation, the application preparation is already included.
Includes the application preparation, then facilitation and the year-long programme:
We act as your proposed Startup Visa facilitator, subject to assessment by the IND and RVO. Payment plans available.
One price for your group, set from who is coming and the route each founder needs. One plan, instead of a separate process for every person.
You keep 100% of the company.
The ordinary self-employed permit has no facilitator. The IND looks for a substantial Dutch economic interest: experience, the business plan, and added value, plus sufficient means. The startup permit is a separate one-year scheme and does require a facilitator. Work on one application is not a credit toward the other.
A practical base for innovative founders scaling into Europe
World-class hubs, incubators, and accelerators. The Dutch startup scene ranks among Europe’s strongest.
A gateway to the EU single market of 450+ million consumers, with excellent infrastructure.
Including the 30% ruling for highly skilled migrants and the innovation box for R&D (eligibility-dependent).
Specialist facilitation, not a general immigration law firm
We review your idea and situation honestly. If the startup route is weak, we say so early.
Business plan, facilitator file, and IND package structured for RVO and IND expectations.
Application support, then practical landing help: BSN, KVK, banking, and setup.
Ongoing support through your startup year and the path toward self-employment.
Clear answers about the Startup Visa Netherlands
We identify this in your Strategy Session and outline alternatives.
Full Facilitation is the startup-visa programme, and a facilitator is required. Guided Self-Employment Application is a review for a self-employed application you write and submit yourself. Flat fees, no equity. The IND decides.
Only the IND decides. We prepare thoroughly, respond to information requests with you, and are honest from the first session about how strong your case is.
Never. Flat fee only, no dilution and no ongoing equity complications.
You can typically start within 48 hours of booking. The IND aims to decide within 90 days of a complete application; end-to-end is often around 3–6 months including preparation.
Book a Strategy Session with founders who understand the move. Leave knowing exactly where you stand.
You talk to a human. A 60-minute assessment, fully credited toward your program if you continue. You leave knowing exactly where you stand, even if the honest answer is “not yet.”
