Dutch Modernism.The Netherlands startup visa (1-year startup residence permit) in 2026, step by step

The Dutch Startup Visa is not a permanent or multi-year permit. It is strictly a 12-month trial period to establish your business.

You cannot apply directly on your own. You must have a signed mentorship agreement with a government-approved Dutch facilitator (incubator).

Your business cannot be a traditional shop or service. It must introduce new technology, a novel market approach, or an innovative social process.

You must prove you can financially sustain yourself. You are strictly prohibited from claiming Dutch social welfare benefits during your first year.

The official application fee charged by the IND is €423 in 2026, not the tens of thousands of euros that immigration agencies claim.

You and your facilitator must commit to registering your startup with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) as soon as you arrive.

After one year, the visa does not auto-renew, and the IND does not extend it. You file a new application for a Self-Employed permit, scored on RVO's points system, and you must prove tangible progress.

To secure your second-year visa, you don't need a million-euro profit, but you must show a working prototype (MVP), active networking, or initial clients.

You must show about €21,200 (single founder) or €30,300 (with family) in a recognized bank account to prove you can survive the first year. The amounts follow the Dutch statutory minimum wage and change on 1 January and 1 July.

The IND frequently rejects financial statements from banks in sanctioned countries (like Iran). Funds usually need to be in a third-country account.

Yes. The IND accepts a facilitator or third party covering your living costs, provided the amount is paid into your Dutch bank account and covers the whole period (up to one year).

Expect to pay your facilitator between €500 and €1,000 monthly for desk space, mentoring, and administrative support. That is a private market range, not a government fee: facilitators are private organisations, so costs vary.

You cannot open a bank account or get health insurance without a Citizen Service Number (BSN), which requires you to register a physical address.

A high-quality facilitator will allow you to use their official office address as your temporary postal address so you can get your BSN immediately.

The Netherlands has a severe housing crisis. Never pay a deposit for an apartment you haven't physically visited and verified.

You must purchase Dutch basic health insurance shortly after arriving. It is a legal requirement, not an option.

Your non-EU driver's license is only valid for your first 185 days after you relocate to the Netherlands. After that, you need a Dutch licence: in some cases you can exchange yours, otherwise you must pass the expensive Dutch driving exams.

In most cases, accompanying spouses or partners get unrestricted working rights: their residence card states that work is allowed without a work permit (TWV). They can work full-time for any employer without needing a visa sponsor.

The main visa holder is only allowed to work on their startup. You cannot take a side job as a regular employee to make extra cash.

While the IND does not ask for an IELTS score, you cannot pitch to facilitators, secure funding, or survive in the business ecosystem without fluent business English.