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DAFT Self-Employed Permit vs Startup Visa

🇳🇱 Netherlands · Dutch-American Friendship Treatyvs🇳🇱 Netherlands · Startup Residence Permit

If you're choosing between these two, the question usually comes down to your citizenship and how much capital you can invest upfront. The DAFT is exclusive to Americans but requires €4,500 in business investment for a longer 2-year permit. The Startup Visa is open to anyone worldwide, costs less, but demands a bachelor's degree and partnership with a Dutch accelerator.

Section 01

At a glance

Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Startup Residence Permit
Processing time
1–3 months
1–3 months
Application fee
$1,700
$380
Initial validity
2 yrs
1 yr
Path to PR
Yes — ~5 yrs
Yes — ~5 yrs
Points-based
No
No
Employer sponsor
Not required
Not required
Minimum salary
—
—
Language test
Not required
Not required
Verified
2026-05-02
2026-05-02
Section 02

Which one fits you?

  1. 01

    Your citizenship

    Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty

    Pick DAFT if you're a US citizen. It's not available to anyone else.

    Pick Startup Residence Permit

    Pick Startup Visa if you're not American. You're ineligible for DAFT.

  2. 02

    Available capital

    Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty

    Pick DAFT if you can invest €4,500 in your Dutch business immediately.

    Pick Startup Residence Permit

    Pick Startup Visa if you'd rather minimize upfront costs (€380 vs €4,500).

  3. 03

    Education level

    Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty

    Pick DAFT if you don't have a bachelor's degree. No education requirement.

    Pick Startup Residence Permit

    Pick Startup Visa if you hold a bachelor's degree and want accelerator support.

  4. 04

    Permit length and flexibility

    Pick Dutch-American Friendship Treaty

    Pick DAFT for a longer 2-year permit with immediate self-employment status.

    Pick Startup Residence Permit

    Pick Startup Visa for 1-year structure with optional conversion to self-employed after.

Section 03

Read the full pathway

🇳🇱

DAFT Self-Employed Permit

Available exclusively to US citizens. €4,500 invested capital in a Dutch business buys a 2-year self-employment residence permit, renewable. One of the lowest-friction founder routes in the EU.

Full Dutch-American Friendship Treaty guide
🇳🇱

Startup Visa

1-year founder permit working with a recognised Dutch facilitator (incubator/accelerator). Convert to self-employed permit after year 1 if revenue and innovation criteria are met.

Full Startup Residence Permit guide
Official Dutch-American Friendship Treaty source Official Startup Residence Permit source

Still can't decide?

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