How to Relocate to the Netherlands from US

If you want to move to the Netherlands from the United States, you need to consider various aspects, depending on the reason for relocation. Our local immigration specialists are at your disposal with tailored services.

Quick Facts
Visa requirement to enter Netherlands	No, for stays of up to 90 days
Types of temporary residence permits for those who relocate to Netherlands from US	Employment, business, study, family reunification
Documents for temporary residence permits	Valid passport, no previous offences or crimes, permit-specific documents such as the employment agreement, the university acceptance letter or others
Approximate time needed to obtain a temporary stay permit	90 days
Residence permits for investors who relocate to Netherlands from US	Yes, under the Dutch-America Friendship Treaty (DAFT)
Temporary residence permit duration	1 year or more, up to a maximum of 5 years for the employment permit
Post-arrival registration with the Dutch authorities	Yes
US permit holder can bring dependents to the Netherlands	Yes, depending on permit type
Facilities for US nationals married to a Dutch citizen	Naturalization after living together for at least 3 years as married or registered partners
Minimum lawful stay before applying for permanent residence	5 years
Minimum time in the country before applying for citizenship	5 years
Naturalization requirements	Having lived in the Netherlands for at least 5 consecutive years with a valid residence permit, 18 years or older, valid identification documents that prove one's nationality, pass the civic integration examination and making a declaration of solidarity
Dual citizenship	No, with some exceptions (for example, being born in the Kingdom of Netherlands or married to a Dutch citizen/the registered partner of a Dutch citizen)
US pension available in the Netherlands	American citizens who relocate to Netherlands from US can still benefit from U.S. Social Security payments
Taxes for US nationals in the Netherlands	Income derived from the Netherlands (employment, homeownership, substantial interest, investments, and real estate in the country) is taxed at the Dutch personal income tax rates There is no double taxation on the same income American citizens living in the Netherlands may have to file 2 tax returns, one in each country
Who is the DAFT agreement for	Available to US entrepreneurs and freelancers who wish to obtain Dutch residency
Requirements for US entrepreneurs under the DAFT	They must invest at least €4,500 in their own Dutch business (the essential-interest points test does not apply) and they must obtain the required permits that allow them to engage in their profession.
When is a business considered essential for the DAFT	Not applicable: under the DAFT the IND does not assess essential interest or added value (no points test or business plan approval); it checks the €4,500 capital investment and genuine business activity.
Income requirements under DAFT	No separate minimum income at first application: the €4,500 capital investment serves as the financial requirement; at renewal, genuine business activity must be shown.
Personal data requirements for the residence permit	Photograph, signature, and/or fingerprints.
Change the residence purpose	Possible when your situation has changed, or if you no longer meet the requirements for your current residence permit.
Residence permit renewal	You should apply for renewal while your current permit is still valid.
Lost or stolen residence permit	If your permit is stolen, you should report this to the police. You will need to make an application for a new permit and present the documents. Our team can help you.
Assistance for objecting a decision	If your application is rejected as you disagree with the decision, our team can help you submit an objection.
Appealing a decision	If your objection is deemed unfounded, an immigration lawyer from our team will assist you when making an appeal to court.
Assistance for special situations	If you or your family are subject to a special relocation situation from the US, our immigration lawyers will provide you with the needed assistance.
Personalized services	We always take into account each relocation process as our clients come from different backgrounds and choose to move to the Netherlands for different reasons.
Who will assist you	One of our team members will be assigned to your case and will offer ongoing assistance.
When to contact us	As soon as you decide to relocate to the Netherlands from the US. This way, we can help you prepare the documents.
Why work with our team	We are a dedicated and experienced team who has helped many foreign nationals successfully relocate to the Netherlands.

What immigration services do you offer to American citizens moving to the Netherlands?

As our client, you can benefit from:

advice on choosing the best relocation option;
support in drafting the immigration papers;
assistance in going through the DAFT visa application procedure, which includes company registration, bank account opening, supporting documents preparation, etc.;
family reunification;
Dutch residence permit application;
registration with the authorities after moving;
citizenship application.

We can handle the entire relocation process on behalf of clients interested in this option.Rolf Peter - Managing Partner, RPS Legal

Find out more about moving to the Netherlands from this video:

What should I consider before moving to the Netherlands as an American?

The reason for relocation is the most important aspect to consider when moving to the Netherlands, as it determines all pre- and post-immigration steps.

Also, United States citizens who wish to relocate to the Netherlands are not required to obtain a Dutch provisional residence permit (MVV). However, when you wish to emigrate or move to the Netherlands, you are required to obtain a residence permit and, when this option becomes available to you, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.

What are the main pathways I can choose to relocate to the Netherlands from the US?

The following:

the DAFT visa, which is the most advantageous option for entrepreneurs;
the Highly Skilled Migrant permit, the EU Blue Card, intra-company visa for employees;
family reunion;
studentship, etc.

NOTE: Our immigration lawyers in the Netherlands will first verify if you meet the eligibility requirements for the chosen pathway and advise you accordingly.

Do I need to apply for an entry visa when immigrating to the Netherlands from the US?

No, as an American, you are exempt from long-stay entry visa application procedures.

What documents must I prepare to immigrate to the Netherlands from the United States?

The general requirements are a valid passport and an application form. Then, depending on the reason for immigration to the Netherlands, you will also need to prepare supporting documents, such as:

employment offer/contract/job advertisement, if you relocate based on employment;
marriage certificate, proof of kinship/relationship, if you move here based on family reunion;
university acceptance letter for students.

What is the best way to relocate to the Netherlands as an American

As mentioned above, we recommend the DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) visa, under which you can start your own company or become self-employed. For this particular visa, you need to invest at least EUR 4,500 in the business, which can be a small one.

How long does it take to obtain a Dutch residence permit?

Application processing usually takes 90 days; however, the time varies based on the number of submissions and the correctness of the documents.

What are the requirements to obtain Dutch permanent residency as an American?

Those who have lawfully lived in the Netherlands for a period of five years can apply for a permanent residence permit. This is a separate application that is submitted with the IND.

Apart from having a valid residence permit in the Netherlands for five years, the applicant must also have had an uninterrupted stay in the country for those past five years. He/she must be registered with the Municipal Personal Records Database (BRP) that operates in the place of residence.

How long must I live in the Netherlands to obtain citizenship as an American?

As a citizen of the USA, you can apply for Dutch citizenship if you have lawfully lived in the country for at least 5 consecutive years. An important criterion for naturalization is having knowledge of the Dutch language.

Our Netherlands immigration consultants can help you if you are a citizen of the USA who is interested in relocating to the Netherlands. Contact us for more information on relocating, obtaining Dutch citizenship and for personalized answers.