verblijfsvergunning zelfstandigen

Procedures for self-employed persons

A foreign national is allowed to set up a company as a self-employed person (in Dutch: verblijfsvergunning als zelfstandige) in the Netherlands. In this case, one does not need a work permit. The foreign national must first register the company with the Chamber of Commerce and then apply for a residence permit as a self-employed person with the Aliens Police. The application is then forwarded for review to the Central Service for Import and Export (Centrale Dienst voor In- en Uitvoer - CDIU). Once the CDIU has reviewed the application, it will forward its positive or negative advice to the Immigration and Naturalization Bureau (IND). Based on the advice of the CDIU, the IND will grant or refuse a residence permit. In general, CDIU adheres very strictly to the following conditions:

• the business activity must have a clearly innovative value
• the self-employed person must have the required knowledge, experience and/or certificate of proficiency to run the business
• the self-employed person must earn enough money from his business to cover his own living expenses

Another possible procedure is to start a branch of the foreign company in the Netherlands. The highly innovative value of the business is not necessary. For more information about this possibility, please contact REWIN.

For American citizens, there are special procedures. An American entrepreneur wishing to set up a business as a self-employed person can apply for a residence permit under the Treaty for Friendship, Trade and Shipping between the Netherlands and United States. The conditions for obtaining a residence permit are less stringent for U.S. citizens due to agreements laid down in this Treaty. For more detailed information see: American-Dutch Friendship Treaty.


Though all due care was taken in compiling these texts, certain information may nevertheless be inaccurate or outdated. REWIN is not liable for the consequences of any activities undertaken on the basis of these texts.