Dutch-American Friendship Treaty · US founders · Self-employed permit
DAFT visa Netherlands — one team for the business side.
The DAFT lets US citizens live in the Netherlands as self-employed by registering a Dutch business and investing €4,500 of capital. We register the business, set up the capital account, and keep your books and taxes — in plain English, at a fixed fee. The permit itself is an IND decision.
- Register your eenmanszaak or BV at the KVK
- Set up and document the €4,500 DAFT capital
- Bookkeeping, BTW and the migration-year M-form
- Immigration-law partner for the IND application when you need one
DAFT at a glance
- Who: US citizens (passport holders)
- Capital: invest & maintain €4,500
- Permit: usually 2 years, renewable
- Decided by: the IND
Requirements change — verify with the IND before relying on this. Updated: 2026-07-28.
What we do
- Register your Dutch business (eenmanszaak or BV) at the KVK
- Structure and document the required €4,500 of own capital
- Arrange your BTW number and business bank account
- Monthly bookkeeping, BTW returns and the M-form
- Give your immigration lawyer the clean company file they need
What we don't do
- We are not immigration lawyers — the residence permit is decided by the IND
- We don't submit or promise your IND application; we work with an immigration-law partner where you want representation
- We don't give US or foreign tax advice — we handle the Dutch side and coordinate with your US preparer
- We are a bookkeeping office and tax adviser, not a government body or a notary
How it works
The business side, in four steps
Intake
We confirm your activity and choose the right vehicle — eenmanszaak or BV — for your DAFT file.
KVK
We register the business in the Handelsregister so you have a KVK number and RSIN.
Capital
We set things up so the €4,500 of own capital is invested and visible as equity.
Books & tax
We keep your bookkeeping and filings so your accounts hold up at each IND renewal.
What the DAFT actually is
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) is a 1956 treaty between the United States and the Netherlands. It gives US citizens a favourable route to a Dutch residence permit for self-employment: instead of the ordinary points-based assessment applied to other nationalities, a US entrepreneur qualifies mainly by registering a Dutch business and investing €4,500 of their own capital into it. That is what makes DAFT the simplest way for many Americans to live and work in the Netherlands on their own account.
Two things to be clear about. First, DAFT is a route to a residence permit, which the IND grants — not something a bookkeeper can issue. Second, the treaty covers the immigration side; the company around it still has to be registered, capitalised and kept compliant like any other Dutch business. That company side is what we do.
The €4,500 capital requirement, done right
The core financial condition is that you invest and maintain at least €4,500 of your own capital in the Dutch business. It is not a one-off deposit you can withdraw the next week — it has to remain in the business as equity, visible on the balance sheet, for as long as the permit relies on it. At renewal, the IND will expect to see that the capital has been kept in place.
This is precisely where an English-speaking bookkeeping office earns its keep. We set your business up so the €4,500 is invested correctly, and we keep the accounts so the equity position is documented and defensible at every renewal — no scramble for numbers when the IND asks.
eenmanszaak or BV?
| Eenmanszaak (sole proprietor) | BV (private limited) | |
|---|---|---|
| Setup | KVK registration, no notary — fastest | Notarial deed + KVK — can be done online |
| Liability | You are personally liable | Limited liability |
| DAFT capital | €4,500 invested in the business | €4,500 invested as equity |
| Best when | Solo, starting lean | Growth, partners, asset protection |
Most DAFT applicants start as an eenmanszaak and move to a BV once profit justifies it. We help you choose, and there is no need to over-engineer the structure on day one.
Dutch tax once you're here (2026)
A DAFT business is taxed like any other Dutch business of its type. As an eenmanszaak you pay income tax in box 1 on your profit; as a BV you pay corporate income tax and draw a salary and dividends. The Dutch headline figures below come from the Belastingdienst — we do not cover your US filing obligations here.
| Tax | 2026 figure |
|---|---|
| BTW (VAT) — standard / reduced | 21% / 9% |
| Small-business scheme (KOR) turnover limit | €20,000 |
| Corporate income tax (Vpb), if you use a BV | 19% up to €200,000, 25.8% above |
Dutch rates change periodically and this is general information, not tax advice — see the 2026 figures overview. Updated: 2026-07-28.
What it costs
Our DAFT business-side package — company registration, capital set-up and your first bookkeeping — starts from €1,500. That figure is indicative until finalised in your proposal, and it excludes third-party costs (the KVK registration fee, and the civil-law notary if you choose a BV), the €4,500 capital itself, and any immigration-law fees for the IND application. You get a fixed quote before anything starts — see pricing.
DAFT visa — FAQ
What is the DAFT visa?
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT, 1956) lets a US citizen obtain a Dutch residence permit for self-employment on easier terms than the ordinary points-based self-employed route. In practice you register a Dutch business and invest and maintain at least €4,500 of your own capital in it. The permit itself is granted by the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) — requirements change, so verify with the IND before relying on this.
How much money do I need for DAFT?
The core financial condition is that you invest and keep at least €4,500 of your own capital in the Dutch business — it must be visible as equity on the company balance sheet for the duration of the permit. That is exactly why the bookkeeping matters: we keep your accounts so the €4,500 is documented correctly at every renewal. Verify the current figure with the IND.
Do you obtain the visa for me?
No. The residence permit is an IND decision and we are a company-formation and bookkeeping office, not immigration lawyers. We handle the business side — registering your eenmanszaak or BV, setting up the capital, and keeping your books and Dutch tax filings. Where you want legal representation for the IND application, we work with an immigration-law partner.
eenmanszaak or BV for DAFT?
Both can satisfy DAFT. A sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) is the fastest and cheapest to register at the KVK — no notary. A BV (private limited) adds limited liability and a cleaner structure if you plan to grow or take on partners. We help you pick and can switch you from eenmanszaak to BV later.
How long does the DAFT permit last?
The DAFT self-employed permit is typically issued for two years and is renewable as long as you keep meeting the conditions (an active Dutch business and the maintained capital). After a qualifying period of legal residence you may become eligible for permanent residence — that assessment is the IND’s. Verify current durations with the IND.
Do you handle my US taxes?
No. We do not give US or foreign tax advice. We keep your Dutch books, file your Dutch returns and prepare the M-form for your migration year. For your US filing obligations you should use a US tax professional — we are happy to coordinate with them.
We are an independent company-formation and bookkeeping office — not immigration lawyers, not a notary, and not the IND. We handle the business side of a DAFT move (company registration, capital, bookkeeping and Dutch tax) and work with an immigration-law partner for the residence-permit application. This page is general information, not legal, immigration or tax advice; DAFT requirements and the €4,500 figure can change — verify with the IND before relying on this. Updated: 2026-07-28.
Sources
- IND — Self-employed & international agreements (residence for self-employment, including the DAFT route).
- Fragomen — The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty explained (€4,500 capital, eligibility).
- Cardon & Company — The DAFT visa in 5 steps (process, capital requirement).
- KVK — Registering your business with KVK (Handelsregister, KVK number, RSIN).
Ready to start your DAFT move?
Tell us your plans and we'll map the business side — vehicle, capital and books — plus connect you with an immigration-law partner for the IND application.
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