Investor visa, residency by investment and citizenship-by-investment programmes across Europe.
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Thresholds vary by country — typically €250,000–€500,000 for real estate, or lower amounts via investment funds. Requirements change regularly; always verify with a lawyer.
In most countries, Golden Visa holders can apply for citizenship after 5–10 years of residence. Requirements include language tests and clean criminal records.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Netherlands's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsThe Netherlands does not have a traditional golden visa (residence-for-investment) programme equivalent to those in Portugal, Malta, or Greece. The previous investor residence permit (verblijfsvergunning voor investeerders) was abolished in 2013 after low uptake and money-laundering concerns. However, the Netherlands offers several routes attractive to HNWIs and entrepreneurs, combined with the unique 30%-regeling tax benefit.
| Route | Legal Basis | Key Requirements | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zelfstandige (Self-Employed/Entrepreneur) | Vw 2000 Art. 14; Vb Art. 3.30 | Business plan assessed by RVO (Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland) on 3 criteria: personal experience, business plan score, added value for Netherlands; typically min EUR 4,500 investment commitment; no minimum investment threshold now | 3 months IND processing; RVO assessment 3 months |
| Startup (Startupvisum) | IND Circular 2016 (updated) | Partnership with recognised Dutch facilitator (incubator/accelerator); 1 year to develop innovative business; renewable once | 90 days |
| Kennismigrant (Knowledge Migrant) | Vw Art. 14; IND WI 2014/8 | Employment with recognised sponsor; salary min EUR 5,688/month (2025); university graduates under 30: EUR 4,171 | 2 weeks (recognised sponsor) |
| Zoekjaar (Orientation Year) | IND Circular | Highly educated (Dutch or foreign university graduate within 3 years of graduation; or non-Dutch highly educated person); actively seeks work or builds business; no work permit during zoekjaar; financial self-sufficiency required | 90 days |
While the 30%-regeling primarily targets employed knowledge migrants, it also benefits HNWIs who take a directorship or management role in their Dutch holding company or operating entity. A HNWI serving as paid Bestuurder (director) of their Dutch BV can benefit from the ruling, reducing effective Dutch income tax significantly on the director's salary. Combined with the Box 3 keuze niet-ingezetene election (protecting foreign assets from Dutch wealth tax), the Netherlands can be tax-competitive for internationally mobile HNWIs during the first 5 years of Dutch residence.
| Country | Golden Visa? | Flat Tax / HNWI Regime? | Inheritance Tax? | Wealth Tax? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | No | 30%-regeling (employment only; max 5yr) | Yes (Successiewet 1956; 10-40%) | Box 3 (notional, 36%) |
| Portugal | Yes (reformed 2024; fund/job creation only) | NHR abolished 2024; IFICI (20% flat for qualifying income) | No (for direct family) | No |
| Italy | Yes (suspended new applications 2024) | EUR 100,000 flat tax on foreign income | Yes (4-8%) | Yes (IVIE on foreign real estate 1.06%) |
| Switzerland | No (Pauschalbesteuerung for non-working residents) | Yes - lump-sum based on expenditure | Cantonal (0-50%) | Yes (cantonal, ~0.1-1%) |
Wei, a 45-year-old Singapore tech entrepreneur, sought a Dutch residence permit to establish a European AI consultancy. He engaged RVO directly with his business plan. RVO awarded full points on business plan and personal experience scores; added value score: maximum (innovative AI services, partnership with Amsterdam university). IND processing: 11 weeks. Wei established a BV (EUR 1 share capital; KVK registered same week). As his Dutch salary as Bestuurder was EUR 150,000/year, the 30%-regeling was applied (salary above threshold; recruited from abroad — Singapore, more than 150km from Dutch border). Effective Dutch tax on EUR 150,000: approximately 32% (versus 49.5% top marginal rate without ruling). Wei's foreign investment income was protected from Box 3 via keuze niet-ingezetene election for the duration of the ruling. After 5 years, Wei applied for a verblijfsvergunning voor onbepaalde tijd and began the integration trajectory toward Dutch naturalisation.
