Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)

The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty is a bilateral agreement between the Netherlands and the United States, signed in The Hague on March 27, 1956. The treaty was originally signed as part of the Marshall Plan to encourage trade and investment between the two countries. It’s technically a residence permit — not a visa —, but everyone calls it the DAFT visa. In plain terms, it lets American entrepreneurs start a business in the Netherlands and live there legally. You don’t need a Dutch employer, a job offer, or an especially impressive business plan. You just need to be American, be self-employed, and meet a few financial requirements.

Normally, non-EU nationals who want to work independently in the Netherlands have to pass a points-based evaluation system. The Dutch government assesses your business against strict criteria to determine whether it provides “added value” to the Dutch economy. You need at least 90 points to qualify. DAFT allows Americans to skip all of that: it exempts them from the points test entirely. What you’re left with is a much faster and more accessible process: register a business, apply for your permit with the IND (the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service), and renew it every two years.

The headline requirement: you must be a US citizen. That’s a non-negotiable. Beyond that, you need to start or operate a business in the Netherlands and keep it genuinely active. Passive income, retirement funds, and dormant shell companies don’t count. There’s no age restriction, no diploma requirement, no minimum number of Dutch clients, and no business plan requirement. 

Yes, your partner and children under 18 can join you, provided they apply for their own residence permits as dependents. One nuance worth flagging: family members can start working in a self-owned business from the moment they receive their residence sticker, but they can’t enter regular employment until you’ve received the final verdict on your DAFT application. It’s an important distinction, especially if your partner has a job lined up. 

If your partner isn’t a US citizen, the process may be slightly more involved — some nationalities require an MVV (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf). This is a temporary entry clearance visa that non-exempt nationalities must obtain from a Dutch embassy in their home country before travelling to the Netherlands for a long stay.

Minimum investment requirement

You must deposit a minimum of €4,500 into your Dutch business bank account. Keep in mind that this isn’t a fee or a one-time payment — it’s a capital requirement that must stay in the account for the full duration of your permit. 

Business requirements

You need to register your business with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, known as the Kamer van Koophandel (KVK). You must operate as a self-employed entrepreneur (ZZP) or company owner (BV), and the business must be active and generating real revenue at the time of application.

Documents required

• Valid US passport (copies of all stamped pages)
• Apostilled birth certificate (and marriage certificate or certificate of unmarried status, if applicable)
• Business registration documents
• Proof of the €4,500 deposit and an opening balance sheet from a BECON-registered Dutch accountant
• Rental agreement or consent declaration for your Dutch address
• Proof of health insurance

Before you get into the steps, there’s one decision you need to make first: which type of business are you setting up? This matters more than it sounds, because it changes the entire sequence of events. 

Your two main options are:

• a ZZP (zelfstandige zonder personeel): a sole trader, roughly equivalent to being a 1099 freelancer in the US, or 
• a BV (besloten vennootschap): a private limited company, roughly equivalent to an LLC. 

The ZZP can only be registered after you arrive in the Netherlands and have acquired your BSN number. This is the simpler setup and most likely the right call if you expect to earn under €69,000 per year. 

The BV, on the other hand, should ideally be set up before you move. This is especially important if you want to claim the Dutch 30% ruling, a tax benefit that lets some expats receive 30% of their income tax-free. It cannot be backdated, so if you want it, you need to act before you board the plane. This is the route to take if you expect to earn over €69,000 per year in wages from your company and want to access the 30% ruling. The front-loading is more work, but the tax savings can be substantial. Check this article if you want to apply as a BV.

Download the roadmap below with all necessary steps that you have to take if you apply as a ZZP (sole trader).

DAFT Fast track procedure

Download the roadmap below with all necessary steps that you have to take if you apply as a ZZP (sole trader).

DAFT Fast Track procedure