As a foreign self-employed person, can I work in the Netherlands?

Free access 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 and work in a designated sector, you may be required to provide notification of your work through the online notification portal for foreign workers. This is because you have a duty to notify as a foreign worker.

Non-European self-employed people 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.

• Working in the Netherlands as a self-employed person

  A residence permit for a self-employed person is a sticker in your passport 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). 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 people

If you work in the Netherlands as a self-employed person, you have certain rights and responsibilities. For example, you must pay taxes and build up pension rights.

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, what to do 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 visa is valid for 90 days or more.

You can apply for an MVV and residence permit through the Entry and Residence Procedure (TEV). You should apply at the Dutch embassy or consulate in the country where you live or in a neighbouring country.