Something significant is happening in Dutch immigration data. In 2025, a record 6,690 American nationals applied for Dutch work, family, or study permits, which is the highest figure in at least a decade, according to data from the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (“IND”) analyzed by public broadcaster NOS. The number of Americans living in the Netherlands has grown from 60,200 before the pandemic to 78,700 by early 2026, representing an increase of nearly 31 percent in just five years.
While several factors are driving this shift, we, as an immigration law firm with a global practice, have seen a marked increase in Americans choosing to relocate to the Netherlands after discovering a pathway that has existed since 1956 but remained largely overlooked: the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (“DAFT”).
The DAFT is a bilateral agreement signed on March 27, 1956 to foster commerce and economic exchange between the United States and the Netherlands, and its immigration provisions have quietly become one of the most accessible immigration routes available to Americans seeking to build a life in Europe.
Under the treaty, American citizens who establish a business in the Netherlands are entitled to apply for a Dutch residence permit, thereby bypassing the complex points-based assessments, employer/ facilitator sponsorship requirements, and high capital thresholds that typically stand between foreign nationals and European residency.
This accessibility has recently expanded further. In April 2024, the IND introduced a temporary, faster processing method for treaty-based applications, including the DAFT, which was originally scheduled to run for two years, until April 2026. That end date has now passed, and the IND has quietly continued applying the same streamlined procedure without announcing a new end date, effectively making faster processing the standard practice for DAFT applications.
Why Americans Are Choosing the Netherlands
In recent years, the Netherlands has become an increasingly attractive destination for Americans who are seeking greater personal safety, stronger social infrastructure, and a more sustainable and balanced everyday life. In Numbeo’s 2026 Quality of Life Index, which is a global survey measuring purchasing power, healthcare quality, pollution, safety, and commute times, the Netherlands claimed the top spot in the world for the first time. The country also holds sixth place on the Global Talent Competitiveness Index.
Statistics Netherlands reports that 85 percent of Dutch residents rate their quality of life at seven out of ten or higher. The average commute is under 25 minutes and the healthcare system is universally accessible. For many Americans who are accustomed to long hours and high stress environments, the Dutch lifestyle offers a sense of stability and calm that is increasingly difficult to find in major US cities.
Moreover, the language barrier that often discourages Americans from relocating to other European countries is almost nonexistent in the Netherlands. While Americans usually prefer English speaking destinations such as Canada, the United Kingdom, or Ireland, visa pathways in those countries have become increasingly restrictive. The Netherlands, by contrast, continues to offer accessible immigration routes and functions in practice as an English-speaking society. Approximately ninety five percent of the Dutch population speaks English, making it one of the most accessible non-native English countries in the world for Americans.
Beyond lifestyle, the Netherlands offers a strategically strong business environment. Amsterdam functions as the European headquarters of dozens of major American corporations. The country sits at the geographic center of a European single market of 450 million consumers, with world-class logistics infrastructure and one of the most internationally connected airports in Europe. For an American entrepreneur or freelancer, establishing a business here opens the door not just to Dutch clients, but to the European market.
What the DAFT Visa Offers
At its core, the DAFT residence permit program allows American citizens to live and work in the Netherlands as self-employed entrepreneurs. It is fundamentally different from the standard Dutch self-employed person residence permit.
Under the standard self-employed person program, applicants must pass a detailed points-based assessment that evaluates factors such as entrepreneurial education, professional experience, prior ties to the Netherlands, as well as commercial viability and the broader economic value of the proposed business. The DAFT residence permit route bypasses this evaluation entirely, granting Americans a simplified and more accessible route to entrepreneurship in the Netherlands.
In exchange, successful applicants receive a two-year residence permit that can be renewed as long as they continue to meet the program requirements. The permit authorizes the holder to operate their own business in the Netherlands without restrictions on business type, client location, or industry sector.
After five consecutive years of lawful residence under the DAFT, permit holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency in the Netherlands if they meet the application requirements, including passing the Dutch language and civic integration exams. At the same five-year mark, they may also qualify to apply for Dutch citizenship through naturalization, provided they meet the additional requirements set out in Dutch nationality law. In most cases, applicants are expected to renounce their current citizenship, although several exceptions exist for certain individuals.
DAFT Visa Requirements: Who Qualifies
One of the defining strengths of the Dutch American Friendship Treaty is its unusually open eligibility criteria, which accommodate a diverse range of business types and professional backgrounds. Applicants must hold United States citizenship, register a Dutch business, and deposit a minimum capital investment of EUR 4,500 into a Dutch business bank account. This capital must remain in the account during the validity of the residence permit. There is no minimum income requirement at the application stage, and there are no restrictions on the nationality or location of the clients served. A software development company working exclusively with American clients is just as eligible as a retail shop operating in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The range of qualifying business activities reflects the program’s openness. Successful DAFT entrepreneurs may, for example, include retail owners, IT consultants, software developers, graphic designers, translators, financial professionals, writers, marketing specialists, and many other types of professionals.
Families can relocate together under the DAFT framework. Spouses, registered partners, and unmarried minor children may accompany the main applicant, provided they meet the standard family reunification requirements, such as demonstrating a genuine family relationship and confirming that the family will reside together in the Netherlands. Once their residence permits are issued, all family members receive unrestricted access to the Dutch labour market, allowing them to work freely in any sector in the Netherlands.
How to Apply for the Dutch American Friendship Treaty Visa
Compared to many other immigration pathways, the DAFT application process is relatively straightforward and follows a clear and predictable sequence.
The first step is to confirm that you meet the eligibility requirements for the DAFT program. Most applicants choose to consult an immigration lawyer at this stage, as a qualified professional can assess whether the Dutch American Friendship Treaty is suitable for your circumstances and explain the compliance obligations that begin as soon as your residence permit is issued. We also recommend speaking with a tax attorney early in the process to determine whether you may qualify for the 30% ruling—a tax benefit that allows eligible workers to receive up to 30% of their salary tax‑free—before deciding whether to incorporate your company as a limited liability entity.
Once eligibility is confirmed, the next step is to prepare and submit the DAFT application. Most applicants receive a decision within approximately six to eight weeks under the current expedited pilot process. After approval, you may collect your residence permit and apply for your Burgerservicenummer (BSN), the unique identification number required for interactions with Dutch authorities.
With your BSN in hand, you can proceed to register your Dutch business. After registration, you must open a Dutch business bank account and deposit the required capital. The minimum investment of EUR 4,500 must remain in the business account for the entire duration of your residence permit. These steps, including registering the business, opening the account, and depositing the required capital, must all be completed within six months of receiving your residence permit. After that period, the IND may review whether the conditions have been met, and if they have not, it can revoke the residence permit with retroactive effect.
Finally, you would be required to enroll in the Dutch national health insurance system shortly after receiving your residence permit. Once these steps are completed, you are fully authorized to live in the Netherlands and operate your business for the duration of your permit.
The Role of an Immigration Law Firm
An immigration law firm that specializes in the Dutch American Friendship Treaty applications brings value at every stage of the process: evaluating your eligibility, structuring your business correctly from day one, preparing a compliant application file, connecting you with vetted banking and address providers, and supporting you in responding to any request letters or follow-up questions issued by the Dutch authorities until a final decision is received. A specialized law firm also helps you anticipate common issues before they arise, ensuring that your application remains strong and defensible from submission through approval.
Beyond the application itself, an experienced law firm can also act as a strategic advisor. Many DAFT applicants underestimate how closely Dutch authorities examine the substance of the business. Following the approval of the DAFT application, particularly after the six-month compliance window has passed, the Dutch authority may at times ask for compliance documentation from existing DAFT holders. For those who applied without professional guidance and set up their business arrangements informally, this represents a serious vulnerability.
If the Dutch authority determines that the applicant failed to meet visa conditions (for example, because the business registration was incomplete, the capital fell below EUR 4,500, or the business is not active), it can retroactively revoke the permit and all accrued residency rights.
Finally, for applicants who intend to remain in the Netherlands long-term, an experienced law firm can help map out the full five-year pathway: ensuring your business remains compliant, advising you on the Dutch language and civic integration requirements, and preparing you for the documentation and timing considerations that support a successful permanent residence or citizenship application. A seasoned immigration lawyer can also help you anticipate regulatory changes and avoid common pitfalls that interrupt the continuity of lawful residence, which is a factor that is critical for transitioning to both permanent residence and citizenship status.
Take the First Step
If you are an American considering a move to the Netherlands and would like to explore whether the Dutch American Friendship Treaty pathway is right for you, our team of immigration experts at Harvey Law Group is here to help. Whether you have a fully formed business plan or are simply in the early stages of exploring your options, we welcome the conversation. Reach out to us today at contact@harveylawcorporation.com, we would love to help you turn what might feel like a distant dream into a clear and actionable plan.
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