FAQ

Admission requirements:
1. Agreement to work together with a recognized facilitator
One of the conditions of the startup residence permit is that you work together with a business mentor: a facilitator. The startup entrepreneur and the facilitator must establish their partnership in a (signed) agreement.

2. Proof of financial means
   You need to be able to share a bank statement showing that you have sufficient funds in your bank account. Please note: you are not allowed to be employed by a company that is not your own startup during your Startup Visa year.

3. Business plan
You need an overall business plan and step-by-step plan for your activities during the Startup Visa year.

A facilitator is a business mentor that provides you, the entrepreneur, with support, usually includes tailor-made support package depending on the specific needs of the startup entrepreneur. The facilitator may, for example, help with advice on marketing, research or investment. Most important, a facilitator will help you with introductions to set up your own network in the Netherlands. Having a facilitator is one of the official conditions for getting a startup visa.

Facilitators ask for a fee so that a startup can get coaching or can make use of their facilities. This fee depends on the needs of the startup and what a facilitator can offer. For example, lab space will be more expensive than a normal office. The costs will be determined by the facilitator and set in the facilitator contract.

Your company is innovative in the following situations:

1. The product or service is new to the Netherlands.
2. The start-up uses new technology in production, distribution and/or marketing.
3. The start-up has a new way of working and organizing.

Some examples: 

Suitable Startup Visa candidate:

An entrepreneur wants to launch an innovative startup that introduces a new way to store energy. The technology is not yet known in the Dutch market, thus it is possible to get a startup visa! 

Not suitable Startup Visa candidate:

An entrepreneur wants to open a ICT consultancy firm to work as freelance developer in the Netherlands. The product or service (consultancy) is not new to the Netherlands and working as a freelancer is not scalable thus not considered a startup. In this case, it is not matching the innovation criteria and the Startup Visa is not suitable.

When applying for any visa, the Dutch government will ask for a fee. The Startup Visa is a relatively cheap permit to come to the Netherlands. The application costs are €380,00 (as in 2024).

(costs and fees may change, please check on the IND website for the exact costs)

Your business plan addresses information concerning:

1. Summary
2.  Organisation structure
3. The roles and responsibilities
4. The legal form
5. The personnel
6. The company’s goals
7. A description of your innovative product or service (problem, solution, technique, patent)
8. Market (competitiveness, scale, prizes
9. Operations (strategy, selling, development, risks, SWOT)
10. Finance (liquidity, investments, costs, etc.)
11. A description of the planning and activities involved in setting up the company (step-by-step plan for the Startup Visa year)

Once you arrive in the Netherlands, you have to register your startup at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK in Dutch). The KVK offers information, education and support to companies and organizations. Its statutory duties are aimed at registering, informing and advising companies and organisations. Find more information here.

You must have sufficient money (income) to be able to reside, live and set up a business in the Netherlands. You can prove that you have sufficient resources by way of a bank statement. This amount changes every year due to inflation and depends on whether you come alone or with a spouse/children. Therefore, please check the amounts that you have to proof in the moment of your application

The International Welcome Center North (IWCN) and Expat Center East Netherlands (ECEN) provides internationals who come to the North Eastern Netherlands with a warm welcome and a soft landing. The IWCN and ECEN can provide all the information you need to live happily in the Northern Netherlands. Think of information on housing, healthcare, opening a bank account, enrolling your children to the international school, Dutch language and culture seminars, and a social network and social events — everything to ensure you will feel at home in the Netherlands. You can also pick up your residence permit in the office of the IWCN in Groningen! More information here.