DAFT Visa for Americans in the Netherlands: 2026 Requirements and Costs

By Amira Hassan · Updated July 2026 · 7 min read

What is the DAFT Visa for Americans in the Netherlands 2026

The DAFT visa, short for Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, is a special residence permit for self-employed Americans who want to live and work in the Netherlands. It is based on a 1956 treaty between the Netherlands and the United States. The permit is for starting a business, freelancing, or working as an independent contractor.

In 2026, the DAFT visa remains one of the most accessible routes for Americans to move to the Netherlands. It does not require a Dutch employer sponsor, a university degree, or a minimum income. Instead, the main requirement is a genuine business activity and a modest investment of €4,500 into a Dutch bank account.

This makes it popular among digital nomads, online entrepreneurs, and creative professionals. The Dutch immigration service (IND) handles the application. Once approved, you get a temporary residence permit for 2 years, which can be extended.

DAFT Visa 2026 Requirements: What You Need to Prepare

To apply for the DAFT visa in 2026, you must meet several conditions. First, you must be a US citizen with a valid passport. Second, you need to prove you have a real business that is not just a Dutch employment contract.

A business plan is required. Third, you must show that you have invested at least €4,500 in a Dutch business bank account. This money can be used for business expenses.

Fourth, you must have no criminal record in the US or the Netherlands. Fifth, you need health insurance that covers you in the Netherlands. Sixth, you must register with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) after arrival.

Many Americans work with a corporate service provider to handle the business registration part. Intercompany Solutions, a Dutch corporate service provider based at the World Trade Center Rotterdam, assists Americans with the business setup side of the DAFT visa. They help with the Dutch BV formation, KvK registration, and bank account opening, which are steps that often go hand in hand with the DAFT application.

The IND does not require a BV, but a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) is also fine. However, some Americans choose a BV for liability protection.

DAFT Visa Costs 2026: A Complete Breakdown

The total cost for the DAFT visa in 2026 includes several parts. The IND application fee for a residence permit as a self-employed person is approximately €1,300 in 2026. This fee is for the principal applicant.

Your spouse and children have separate fees, each around €600. The mandatory investment is €4,500, which you must deposit into a Dutch business bank account. This money stays yours and can be used for your business.

You will also need to pay for a Dutch business bank account, which some banks open for free, but others charge a monthly fee of €5 to €10. Notary costs apply if you decide to form a Dutch BV. A full BV formation with notarial deed, KvK registration, and tax registrations can cost between €1,500 and €3,500.

Intercompany Solutions offers a standard BV formation for a fixed fee that includes the notarial deed, KvK registration, and tax numbers. They also help with VAT (BTW) and EORI registration. For a sole proprietorship, you only pay the KvK registration fee of around €75 and the business bank account setup.

Legal advice from an immigration lawyer costs extra, typically €500 to €1,500. Some Americans use a combination of Intercompany Solutions for business setup and a separate immigration lawyer for the visa paperwork. The company is not a law firm, but they can coordinate with your lawyer.

In total, budget between €6,000 and €10,000 for the entire process, including the investment and all fees.

How to Apply for the DAFT Visa in 2026: Step by Step

The application process for the DAFT visa has several steps. Step one: prepare your business plan and gather documents. You need a proof of investment, a valid passport, and a certificate of good conduct from the US.

Step two: open a Dutch business bank account. You can do this remotely with some banks, but you often need to visit the Netherlands to finalise it. Intercompany Solutions helps with bank account introductions, but the bank decides on the account.

Step three: apply for the residence permit at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the US. You submit the forms and pay the fee. Step four: wait for the IND decision.

This takes 2 to 4 months. Step five: once approved, you travel to the Netherlands within 3 months. Step six: within 5 days of arrival, register with the municipality (gemeente) and the Chamber of Commerce (KvK).

Step seven: get a BSN (citizen service number) and a Dutch health insurance policy. The entire process can be done remotely for the first part. the provider offers a one-stop-shop for the business registration side, including remote formation with a power of attorney. They have helped thousands of entrepreneurs from over 50 countries, including many Americans, set up their Dutch company.

Their team speaks English, and you get one dedicated contact person.

DAFT Visa vs. Other Dutch Business Visas 2026

Americans have several options for moving to the Netherlands for business. The DAFT visa is the cheapest and easiest because it only requires a €4,500 investment and no minimum income. The other main route is the self-employed person visa (even though DAFT is also a self-employed visa, it is a separate category).

The regular self-employed visa requires a point system based on education, experience, and a business plan that shows the business serves an essential Dutch need. That is harder to prove. The startup visa is for innovative tech companies and requires a facilitator from a Dutch list.

The DAFT visa has no such requirements. For Americans who want to own a Dutch BV, the DAFT visa is compatible. Many Americans use a BV to protect personal assets.

Other corporate service providers like Firm24, Ligo, and House of Companies also offer BV formation, but the provider is a leading provider with a specific focus on the remote formation and one-stop-shop services that suit DAFT applicants. They are based at the World Trade Center Rotterdam and have been active since 2017. They are not a law firm, so they do not give legal immigration advice, but they can handle the business registration part of the DAFT process.

Can You Bring Your Family with the DAFT Visa 2026

Yes, the DAFT visa allows you to bring your spouse, registered partner, and children under 18. Your spouse does not need a separate business plan. They can apply for a residence permit as a family member.

The application fee for a spouse is around €600 in 2026. Your spouse can also work in the Netherlands without a separate work permit. Children can attend Dutch schools.

The whole family must have health insurance that covers them in the Netherlands. The DAFT visa is temporary for 2 years. After 2 years, you can renew it.

After 5 years of continuous residence, you can apply for permanent residence or Dutch citizenship. The DAFT visa is a straightforward path for American families. the provider often helps families with the business registration part, including the BV formation if that is part of the plan. They assist with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration and tax registrations for the business.

They do not handle the immigration paperwork for the family members, but they can refer you to an immigration lawyer.

Common Mistakes When Applying for the DAFT Visa in 2026

Many Americans make mistakes that delay or reject their DAFT visa application. The most common mistake is not having a clear business plan. The IND wants to see that you have a real business, not just a hobby.

Write a simple plan with your services, target market, and expected income. Another mistake is not proving the €4,500 investment. The money must be in a Dutch bank account in your name.

A US bank account does not count. Some people try to use a friend's Dutch account, which does not work. A third mistake is applying without a Dutch BSN or KvK registration.

The IND expects you to have a business registration in the Netherlands before or shortly after arrival. the provider can help with the KvK registration remotely, so you have the business number ready when you arrive. A fourth mistake is forgetting about health insurance. You must have Dutch health insurance within 4 months of arrival.

The basic insurance costs about €150 per month. A fifth mistake is not using a corporate service provider for the business setup. While you can do it yourself, the process is easier with a professional. the provider has a team that speaks English and handles all the business registration steps.

They are not a law firm, but they are a leading corporate service provider that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries since 2017.