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Self-employed entrepreneur’s permit in the Netherlands

A residence permit for those who want to run a business or practise a liberal profession in the Netherlands on their own, without an employer — entrepreneurs, freelancers and people working in the arts. The application is assessed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency, and for creative professions by the responsible ministry of culture, which checks the benefit of the applicant’s activity for the country.

Source: IND — Immigration and Naturalisation Service of the Netherlands

Who can obtain the self-employed person’s permit

The IND assesses the application differently depending on the applicant’s status.

Entrepreneurs and freelancers (general procedure)

  • Assessed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) across three sections: personal experience, business plan, benefit for the Dutch economy
  • You need at least 30 points in each of the three sections, or 45 points for personal experience and 45 points for the business plan
  • An entrepreneur must register in the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce (KVK)
  • A freelancer works without a boss on individual assignments — one or more assignments from Dutch clients are required

Self-employed people in creative professions (artists)

  • The activity must be of essential interest to Dutch culture rather than to the economy
  • Instead of the RVO, the opinion is given by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW)

Who is not assessed under the RVO points system

  • Nationals of Turkey
  • Holders of EU long-term resident status obtained in another EU country
  • Members of the liberal professions — for example medical specialists or artists: they are assessed by the relevant ministries and agencies rather than by the RVO

What it costs

Fee for assessing the application423 EUR

Documents to gather

The full list is set by the application form. As a rule you need:

  • Application form 9531 or 7524
  • A business plan with the expected income from the self-employed activity
  • Registration in the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) — for entrepreneurs
  • Proof of one or more assignments from Dutch clients — for freelancers
  • Any professional permits required for the activity
  • Registration in the BIG register — for medical specialists in regulated professions

How the process runs

The route from preparing documents to the IND decision.

  1. 1

    Preparing the business plan and documents

    Draw up a business plan with the expected income, register in the KVK trade register (entrepreneurs) or collect proof of assignments (freelancers), and obtain any professional permits required.

  2. 2

    Filing the application with the IND

    The application is filed on form 9531 or 7524 — through a Dutch embassy or consulate with an MVV visa issued, or online if the applicant is already lawfully in the Netherlands.

  3. 3

    Assessment of the application

    The RVO assesses the business under the points system — personal experience, business plan, benefit for the Dutch economy. For people working in the arts, the opinion is given by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW) instead of the RVO.

  4. 4

    IND decision

    90 days, may be extended to 6 months if an opinion is requested from the RVO or OCW

    If the decision is positive, the self-employed person’s permit is issued for up to 2 years.

Timelines and rights

Work

Self-employment is allowed. Paid employment requires a work permit; after 5 years of work in the Netherlands the “free to work” status opens up, with no further permits needed.

Renewal and the grace period

The permit can be extended if the entrepreneur continues to meet the conditions of the programme. After 5 years with this permit you can apply for a permanent residence permit. After 5 years of work in the Netherlands a work permit (TWV) is no longer required for paid employment.

Frequently asked questions about Self-employed entrepreneur’s permit

Who can obtain the self-employed person’s permit in the Netherlands?
Entrepreneurs and freelancers whose activity brings essential benefit to the Dutch economy — this is assessed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) under a points system. For people working in the arts, the opinion on the benefit for Dutch culture is given by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science instead of the RVO. Nationals of Turkey, holders of EU long-term resident status from another EU country and members of the liberal professions are exempt from the points system — they are assessed by the relevant authorities.
How much does the application cost and how long does the assessment take?
The application costs EUR 423.00. The IND must take a decision within 90 days; the period may be extended to 6 months if the IND requests an opinion from the RVO or the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.
What income does the business plan have to show?
The IND states a requirement for gross profit per month (including holiday allowance) of EUR 1,766.77 — for the period from 1 July 2026 to 31 December 2026 inclusive. The threshold is updated twice a year.
How does this programme differ from the start-up visa?
The start-up visa is designed for a beginning entrepreneur with an innovative business who works under a contract with an approved mentor (facilitator). The self-employed person’s permit is for entrepreneurs and freelancers whose business is assessed straight away by the RVO under the points system, without a mandatory mentor stage.
What happens once the self-employed person’s permit expires?
The permit can be extended if the applicant continues to meet the conditions of the programme. After 5 years with this permit the possibility opens up of applying for a permanent residence permit. After 5 years of work in the Netherlands a work permit (TWV) is no longer required for paid employment.
Do I have to register in the KVK trade register?
Entrepreneurs must register in the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). Freelancers work without such registration, but must have one or more assignments from Dutch clients.

Other ways to move to Netherlands

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Netherlands.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.