Immigration · Updated 14 Sep 2026 · ~10 min read

Netherlands startup visa and self-employed residence permit in 2026: facilitator, points and fees

Starting a business in the Netherlands from outside the EU? This guide explains the startup year with a facilitator, the self-employed points test and the separate routes for American and Turkish citizens.

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Startup requirements The points test

Rules from the IND, RVO and the Aliens Decree · Checked 14 September 2026

Short answer

The Netherlands startup visa is a residence permit of up to 1 year for people from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who develop an innovative product or service with an experienced facilitator recognised by RVO. It costs €423 in 2026, and the IND aims to decide within 90 days. After the year you switch to the self-employed permit, where RVO scores your experience, your business plan and your added value for the Netherlands, and each part needs at least 30 points. US and Turkish citizens have their own routes.

Key facts for 2026

1 year is the longest a startup permit runs, and it cannot be extended.
€423 is the 2026 IND fee for a startup or a self-employed permit.
90 days is the IND’s aim for deciding on a startup application.
2 years of experience with innovative start-ups is the minimum for a facilitator.
30 points is the minimum on each of the 3 parts of the self-employed points test.
€1,766.77 gross profit a month is the self-employed income requirement from 1 July 2026.
1 June 2028 is when the scheme for essential start-up personnel ends.

This is general information about Dutch law, not legal advice for your situation. Rules change; figures are for 2026. No rights can be derived from this text.

Routes

Which route fits: startup, self-employed or a treaty route

If your business is still an idea, the startup permit gives you a year with a facilitator; if it is ready to trade, you apply for the self-employed permit straight away. Americans and Turkish citizens have easier rules.

Route	Who it suits	Key condition	2026 IND fee
Startup visa	An innovative idea at an early stage	A facilitator recognised by RVO; up to 1 year	€423
Self-employed permit	A business that is ready to trade	At least 30 points on each of 3 parts; up to 2 years, then 5	€423
DAFT (US citizens)	Americans with their own business	At least €4,500 invested, no points	€423
Turkish nationals	Entrepreneurs with Turkish nationality	A business plan, no points system	€85
Essential start-up personnel	Key staff hired by a startup	A salary of at least €3,122 gross a month	€423

Sources: IND fees, Business.gov.nl and the IND points system. The DAFT route has its own DAFT visa guide.

Startup

Netherlands startup visa requirements

The startup permit is for people from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland who want to start an innovative business here, and it is valid for at most 1 year (Business.gov.nl). The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland, RVO) advises the IND on your application.

An innovative product or service. The innovation may be technological or non-technological, and RVO must give the IND a positive recommendation on it (IND form 7558).
A reliable, expert facilitator recognised by RVO. You and your facilitator are both registered with the Chamber of Commerce, and there is no family relationship up to the third degree between you.
A step-by-step plan showing how you will develop your idea into a company; RVO assesses it.
Lasting and sufficient means of support, financed by yourself, your facilitator or a third financier.
An MVV, depending on your nationality.

Facilitator

Finding a facilitator

Start with the list of recognised facilitators on the RVO website, then look at startup incubators, accelerators and your own network (Business.gov.nl).

Tailor-made support. The facilitator helps you turn the idea into a business, for example with business operations, marketing, research and the search for investors (IND form 7558).
Experience. At least 2 years of facilitating innovative start-ups, with at least 2 people able to support you.
Sound finances. No moratorium or insolvency. If RVO gave a positive recommendation on the facilitator in the year before your application, you need not prove its reliability and expertise.
The agreement describes the support and its conditions, and the facilitator may not hold a majority interest in your company.
Fees. Facilitators are private organisations, so their costs and conditions vary.

Applying

Applying for the startup permit and what it costs

You or your authorised representative apply to the IND; from abroad you usually apply at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your country of residence (Business.gov.nl).

Already in the Netherlands without needing an MVV, or switching from another Dutch permit? Then you apply directly with the application form.
Documents: the signed agreement with your facilitator, evidence of your means of support, your fingerprints and passport photo and the antecedents certificate (IND form 7558).
Fee: €423 in 2026 (IND fees). The IND aims to decide within 90 days.
Other costs: Chamber of Commerce registration, legalising or translating documents, and your facilitator’s fees.
Approved? You pick up the residence card at an IND desk or at an expat centre.

Refused? Our IND rejection appeal guide explains how to object.

Year two

After the startup year: switching to self-employed

A startup permit is granted for at most 1 year and is not extended after that year (Aliens Decree 2000, articles 3.30 and 3.58). By then you are expected to meet the conditions of the self-employed permit.

The facilitator’s declaration. Send a declaration from the facilitator who guided you for at least 3 months, showing that you completed the programme (IND form 7524). It scores 30 points under personal experience (IND points system).
Fee: €423 for the change to self-employed after a start-up.
Or another permit if you meet its conditions, for example as an employee; our Netherlands work visa guide lists the options.

Self-employed

The self-employed residence permit and its points test

For the regular self-employed permit, your business must serve an essential Dutch interest, and RVO judges that with a points system (IND).

Part	Minimum	What earns points
A. Personal experience	30 points	Education and entrepreneurial experience (up to 35 each); work experience, income and experience with the Netherlands (up to 10 each); a facilitator’s declaration after a startup year (30)
B. Business plan	30 points	Potential market and organisation (up to 25 each); financing (up to 50, and financing by a Dutch bank scores 50)
C. Added value for the Netherlands	30 points	Investments and job creation (up to 40 each); innovation (up to 20)

Source: IND points system. If parts A and B together reach 90 points, with at least 45 each, part C counts as 30 and the advice is positive.

Income. For applications from 1 July to 31 December 2026, a gross profit of €1,766.77 a month, holiday allowance included (IND required amounts).
Documents: proof of Chamber of Commerce registration no older than 3 months, any permit your profession needs, the declaration of income, and a business plan with turnover and liquidity forecasts for at least 3 years. An independent external expert checks the financial documents (IND form 7524).
Validity: up to 2 years at first, then extensions of up to 5 years each.
Fee and timing: €423, with a legal decision period of 90 days (IND decision periods).

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Special routes

DAFT, Turkish nationals and essential start-up personnel

Three groups have different rules: Americans, Turkish citizens and the staff a startup brings in.

US citizens. Under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty you invest at least €4,500 in your business instead of scoring points; see our DAFT visa guide.
Turkish nationals. The EU-Turkey Association Agreement dates from 1963. The points system does not apply: RVO only assesses the business plan, including whether the company is financially healthy, provides something needed in the Netherlands and helps the economy grow (IND). The IND fee for work purposes is €85, and Turkish nationals use their own application form.
Essential start-up personnel. A startup can hire highly skilled foreign experts without being a recognised sponsor, under a scheme that runs until 1 June 2028. The employee earns at least €3,122 gross a month without holiday allowance (IND required amounts). Our highly skilled migrant visa guide covers the regular route.

Family

Family and staying for good

Your partner and children can come with you, and both the startup and the self-employed permit can lead to permanent residence.

Income for your family. If they apply together with your startup or self-employed application, the IND looks at your expected income, which must be evident from your business plan (IND).
Fees in 2026: €254 for a partner and €85 for a child under 18.
A non-temporary purpose. Work as a self-employed person, including a start-up, is a non-temporary purpose of residence (IND), so it opens the way to permanent residence; our permanent residence guide explains the 5-year rule.
Every permit type is compared in our guide to Dutch residence permits.

Keep reading

Related guides

More guides for entrepreneurs moving to the Netherlands.

Work

DAFT visa for Americans

US citizens: €4,500 of capital instead of points.

Work

Netherlands work visa

Every work route, with the 2026 fees.

Work

Highly skilled migrant visa

Salary criteria and recognised sponsors for employees.

Permits

Residence permit types

Temporary and permanent permits compared.

Permits

Permanent residence

Staying for good after 5 years.

Visas

All Netherlands visas

Every route to living here, with the 2026 fees.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the Netherlands startup visa?

The Netherlands startup visa is a residence permit of up to 1 year for entrepreneurs from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland who want to start an innovative business here. You work with an experienced facilitator recognised by RVO, which also advises the IND on whether your product or service is innovative. The IND fee is €423 in 2026, and the permit cannot be extended.

How do I find a facilitator for a startup permit?

Check the list of recognised facilitators on the RVO website, contact startup incubators or accelerators, or use your professional network. The facilitator needs at least 2 years of experience with innovative start-ups, at least 2 people who can support you and sound finances. Facilitators are private organisations, so their fees and conditions vary.

How much money do I need for a startup visa?

The IND form asks for lasting and sufficient means of support rather than a set investment. You can fund it yourself, through your facilitator or through a third financier, and prove it with bank statements or a contract. On top come the €423 IND fee, registration with the Chamber of Commerce, any costs of legalising documents and your facilitator’s fees.

What happens when the startup year ends?

The startup permit runs for at most 1 year. To stay, you apply for the residence permit as a self-employed person, or another permit such as one for paid employment. If your facilitator supervised you for at least 3 months and declares that the counselling ended successfully, that declaration scores 30 points in the self-employed points test. The switch costs €423.

How does the self-employed points system work?

RVO scores 3 parts: your personal experience, your business plan and the added value of your business for the Netherlands. Each part needs at least 30 points. Education and entrepreneurial experience can each earn up to 35, financing up to 50, and investments and job creation up to 40 each. If experience and plan together reach 90, with 45 each, added value is set at 30.

Can Americans use the startup visa?

Yes, but most US citizens who want to run their own business look at the DAFT route instead. Under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty the IND asks for at least €4,500 of capital invested in your business rather than a points score, and the fee is also €423. Americans need no MVV, so they can apply from inside the Netherlands.

Do Turkish citizens have a different route?

Yes. Under the Association Agreement between the EU and Turkey, the points system for the self-employed permit does not apply to Turkish nationals. RVO only looks at the business plan: whether the company is financially healthy, provides something needed, helps the economy grow and does not disrupt the market. The IND fee for work permits is €85 instead of €423.

Can my startup hire staff from outside the EU?

Yes. Startups can use the scheme for essential start-up personnel, which runs until 1 June 2028. The startup does not have to be a recognised sponsor, as the highly skilled migrant route normally requires. In 2026 the employee must earn at least €3,122 gross a month without holiday allowance, and the IND fee is €423.

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Official sources, checked 14 September 2026

Final notes and legal disclaimer

This article provides general information and is not tailored to your personal circumstances.
It does not cover all situations, exceptions, or recent legal changes.
Reading this article does not create a lawyer-client relationship with findlawyer.nl or any associated entity.
No guarantee is given that this information is complete, accurate, or up to date.
No rights can be derived from this article.
For decisions about the startup and self-employed residence permits in the Netherlands, or your specific situation, always consult a qualified professional.

FindLawyer is a lawyer-matching and case-preparation service, not a law firm. Legal advice comes from the partner lawyer.

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