Netherlands Startup Residence Permit in Netherlands

Netherlands Startup Residence Permit · Netherlands visa route

investment · last reviewed 2026-08-08 · all Netherlands routes

A temporary residence route for founders building an innovative business with an approved facilitator in the Netherlands.

Important notes

• Develop an innovative product or service and work with a facilitator approved under the Dutch startup scheme.
• Submit a step-by-step plan, evidence of the facilitator relationship, and proof of sufficient means of support.
• Show that the applicant will actively work on the startup and meet the IND and Netherlands Enterprise Agency requirements.
• This is the startup-founder route; it is separate from the self-employed residence permit.
• The facilitator and innovative-business conditions are central to the application.

Preparation checklist

• Passport and application
• Facilitator agreement
• Step-by-step startup plan
• Proof of funds and business evidence
• Identity, insurance, and background documents

Entrepreneurship residence routes

These routes serve a similar purpose or sit within the same visa family, so they are shown together for comparison; each has its own page.

Netherlands Netherlands Self-employed Residence Permit A residence route for self-employed applicants whose business activity provides an essential economic contribution in the Netherlands. Open route →

Official source

Official source: Netherlands Immigration and Naturalisation Service

Also look at similar visas from these countries

Higher rating for quality of life

🇵🇹 Portugal D2 Residence Visa for Entrepreneurs or Independent Activity A residence route for people establishing a business or carrying out independent professional activity in Portugal. Open this route → 🇬🇧 United Kingdom Innovator Founder visa A longer-stay route based on its specific eligibility requirements. Open this route →

More accessible countries

🇬🇪 Georgia Individual entrepreneur / temporary residence Friendly to remote earners; good for landing first and planning later. Open this route → 🇪🇪 Estonia Startup visa/residence This is a route family: the startup visa, short-term employment registration and employment residence permit have different eligibility, durations and work rights. Open this route →

More affordable countries

🇭🇷 Croatia Croatia Stay and Work Permit for Self-employment A Croatia stay-and-work route for qualifying third-country nationals carrying out self-employed activity. Open this route → 🇧🇬 Bulgaria Bulgaria Self-employed Residence A route for qualifying independent activity, with the activity and supporting documents matched to the residence purpose. Open this route →

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Visa rules change frequently. This page is a research guide, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with the official source before applying.