As a foreign self-employed person, can I work in the Netherlands?
You can work in the Netherlands as a self-employed person under certain conditions. For example, if your work makes a contribution to the economy. Self-employed people can apply for a residence permit for a self-employed person.
Free movement for self-employed people who are EU, EEA or Swiss nationals
You can work in the Netherlands without a visa, residence permit or work permit if you come from one of the following countries:
- a member country of the European Union;
- Liechtenstein;
- Norway;
- Iceland;
- Switzerland.
However, you will need a valid passport or identity document.
Duty to notify for foreign self-employed persons
If you come to work temporarily in the Netherlands from another European Union country, you may be required to provide notification of your work through the online notification portal for foreign workers. This is only needed if you work in a designated sector.
Self-employed people from outside Europe can work in the Netherlands, under certain conditions
You can work in the Netherlands if you do not come from one of the countries listed above, under certain conditions. For example, your business must make a contribution to the Dutch economy. The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) can tell you if this is the case.
What sort of residence permit you need depends on your individual situation.
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Working in the Netherlands as a self-employed person
A residence permit for a self-employed person is a sticker in your passport and is issued by the IND. This permit allows you under certain conditions to work as a self-employed person. -
Launching a startup
The Netherlands offers a special residence permit for foreign startups (innovative businesses). This temporary permit is granted for one year. Under certain conditions, this permit gives you a year to develop an innovative product or service. -
Taking time as a graduate to establish a business
After graduating from university, receiving a doctorate or completing scientific research in the Netherlands, a residence permit for an orientation year may allow you to establish your own business in the Netherlands.
All the requirements for self-employed people can be found on the IND website.
Rights and responsibilities of self-employed persons
If you work in the Netherlands as a self-employed person, you have certain rights and responsibilities. For example, you must pay taxes but you also build up pension entitlement.
Information about starting your own business in the Netherlands can be found on the website Business.gov.nl. It also tells you about your rights and responsibilities and about social security. For example, if you become ill.
Applying for a visa and a residence permit as a self-employed person
If you come to the Netherlands as a self-employed person, you will need a long-stay visa (MVV). This is a visa on which you can travel to the Netherlands.
You can apply for an MVV and residence permit through the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV). You should apply at a Dutch embassy or consulate-general outside the Netherlands.
Coming to the Netherlands for work: individual overview
You can create an individual overview by answering a few questions. It will tell you what you need to arrange before coming to the Netherlands to work. It will also tell you about your rights. You can make an overview:
- for yourself if you are looking for work;
- for your partner;
- for your child aged under 18 years.