Moving as a self-employed person

Working for yourself does not create an automatic right to live in the Netherlands. The IND has a residence permit for self-employed people, while other arrangements may apply to particular nationalities or business situations. First identify the official route that fits your own citizenship and activity.

The IND page explains the main conditions and the role of business assessment in the application. Read it before paying for a company setup or assuming that registration with the Chamber of Commerce is enough for residence.

A self-employment application can require a clear description of the business, financial information and evidence that the work is genuine. The exact documents depend on the route. Use the current IND checklist rather than copying another entrepreneur’s application.

Separate the residence question from ordinary business setup. You may also need to arrange registration, tax and insurance matters, but those steps do not replace a residence decision when a permit is required.

Check the IND’s current application method, costs and processing information before making commitments that depend on approval. If an MVV is part of your route, include that in the travel plan as well.

If you are comparing self-employment with an employer-sponsored or startup route, ask the IND or a qualified adviser which conditions apply to your facts. The route you choose affects the evidence you must provide and what work you may do.