Netherlands Self-employed permit

Residence permit to work as a self-employed person or freelancer, assessed by RVO on a points system for personal experience, business plan and added value to the Dutch economy. ^{1 2 3 4}

What you must show and pay

• Income of at least EUR 1,766.77 a month (≈ $1,970) · Required gross profit per month including holiday allowance, valid 1 July to 31 December 2026; it must be evident from the business plan. ^{1 3}
• A fee of EUR 423 (≈ $470) · IND application fee for a first application or change of purpose as a self-employed person; an extension also costs EUR 423 (≈ $470). ^{2 3}

Requirements

• The applicant is a non-EU/EEA/Swiss national. ³
• The work is of essential interest to the Dutch economy, or to Dutch culture for artists. ³
• RVO scores personal experience, business plan and added value; each area needs 30 points, or 45 each for experience and business plan. ³
• The scoring system does not apply to Turkish nationals, long-term EU residents of another EU state, or independent professions. ³
• The applicant is registered with the Chamber of Commerce and holds the permits needed for the profession. ³
• A freelancer has one or more commissions in the Netherlands. ³
• Gross profit is at least EUR 1,766.77 (≈ $1,970) per month including holiday allowance, shown in the business plan. ^{1 3}
• The application fee is EUR 423 (≈ $470). ^{2 3}
• The application form lists the documents; foreign documents are legalised and translated. ³
• The applicant applies for the MVV and residence permit together at the Dutch embassy or consulate. ³
• The permit allows self-employed work; work as an employee needs a work permit unless the holder has worked 5 years in the Netherlands. ³

Stay

• Residence permit valid for a maximum of 2 years; it can be extended, and a permanent permit is possible after 5 years.
• First stay: up to 24 months, decided case by case.
• Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

Nationality

Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

Work

Self-employed work is allowed; work as an employee needs a work permit (TWV), which is no longer required after 5 years of work in the Netherlands.

Family

Family members receive residence permits allowing self-employed work and free work without a work permit.

Checked 2026-10-11

Official sources

1. Required amounts: income requirements (valid 2026) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-10
2. Immigration and Naturalisation Service: fees for residence permit applications · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11
3. Residence permit self-employed person · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11
4. Dutch scoring system, business of essential interest (Annex 8a to section 3.20a Aliens Regulations 2000) · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-10 · published 2022-07-01
5. Becoming a Dutch national through naturalisation · Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) · checked 2026-10-11