Ciao Going Expat people,
Today, the focus of our blog post is how to move to the Netherlands on a DAFT Visa.
Therefore I am talking specifically to American citizens who are considering moving to the Netherlands bringing with them a business or building one from scratch.
This means that there are many aspects to consider: the Visa itself, the bureaucracy, the relocation and so on. This makes Going Expat and AZ legal‘s collaboration effective in providing the best answers and support.
First thing first: What is the DAFT Visa?
The DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) is a special agreement between the United States and the Netherlands that makes it much easier for American citizens to live and start a business in the Netherlands.
Making the move to the Netherlands is an exciting step, and if you’re doing it as a self-employed professional or entrepreneur, the DAFT visa is likely your route in.
The DAFT visa offers American nationals a relatively accessible path to legal residency and the right to run a business in the Netherlands with a relatively cheap business investment of €4500.
But accessible doesn’t always mean straightforward.
That’s where we come in, and by we I mean Going Expat and AZ Legal.
Navigating the Legal Side of Your Dutch Move: How AZ Legal Can Help
In their own words: “we specialize in the legal and administrative processes behind a successful DAFT visa application and ongoing compliance. While our friends at Going Expat handle the practical side of settling in, our role is to make sure your legal foundation is solid from day one. ”
Getting your application right
The DAFT visa requires you to demonstrate that you’re setting up a genuine business in the Netherlands. That means having the right business structure, meeting the IND‘s requirements, and ensuring your documentation tells a clear, consistent story. We guide clients through structuring their Dutch business entity (typically a ZZP or BV), registering with the KVK, and preparing everything the IND needs to assess your application.
Small errors, such as an inconsistency in your business plan or a missing apostille, can lead to unwanted delays, so having the right support matters.
Staying compliant and securing your extension
Getting the visa is only the first step. The initial DAFT visa is granted for two years, and what you do during that period determines whether your extension is approved. The IND will want to see that your business is active and viable, which means staying on top of your Dutch tax filings, maintaining proper accounting records, and meeting your legal obligations as a business owner.
We work with clients throughout those first two years to make sure nothing slips, keeping them compliant, organized, and well-positioned when it’s time to renew.
Why having a legal advisor matters
Our collaboration with Going Expat exists because a successful move to the Netherlands requires both the practical and the legal. Between us, we cover the full picture.
- Having a legal team who knows the DAFT process inside out means you spend less time confronting Dutch bureaucracy and more time building your life here.
- Having an experienced consultant who can support you through the housing market, schools (if required), the health system, culture and entering a network of entrepreneurs in a foreign country means you are halfway to being succesfull even before starting.
Ready to explore whether the DAFT visa is right for you?
Get in touch with the AZ Legal team and/or Going Expat for a free consultation on both aspects*. We’ll assess your situation and walk you through what the process looks like from A to Z.
*The free consultations would be handled separately: don’t forget to mention you got in touch with both.
We are looking forward to help you navigate the system.
If you want to dive into the risks of not getting the DAFT right, please check this video
Curious about how other entrepreneurs from around the world, experience self-employment in the Netherlands?
Then this video is for you.
Thank you, and talk to you soon!
AZ Legal and Going Expat
