Netherlands - Work Skills & Ancestry - Self Employed Permit for USA Citizens

The treaty gives American citizens preferential treatment to operate a business in the Netherlands. In contrast to other non-EU nationals who want to work in the Netherlands on a self-employed basis, Americans applying under the treaty do not need to satisfy the points-based test which is applied to non-EU businesses.

The Requirements
In order to get a residence permit to operate a business under the Dutch American Friendship Treaty, the applicant must have the following:

Registration of the business with the Chamber of Commerce;

A business plan demonstrating commercial activities in the Netherlands;

A financial report, prepared by a qualified accountant or tax advisor;

A valid passport valid for at least one year from the application date;

Health Insurance;

Substantial personal capital invested in the business. Borrowed funds are not considered.

The amount of capital required is determined on a case-by-case basis. The minimum amounts are determined by the legal form of the business:

For an 'eenmanzaak' (a sole entrepreneur), the minimum amount of capital is €4,500.
For incorporated businesses, the amount is at least 25% of the minimum capital stock required by law (€45,000), or €11,250.

The residence permit will be issued on a renewable basis for one year. On the back of the permit it will state that self-employment activities are only permitted in connection with the business plan. If the applicant wants to perform paid work for an employer, then a new application for a work permit is required.