Here are some useful links to find out more about a start up in the Netherlands:
Here are some frequently asked questions about becoming an entrepreneur in the Netherlands:
The application form can be downloaded directly from the IND’s website.
Candidates may also choose to approach the International Welcome Center North (IWCN) for help, because can assist startups with the completion of their application forms.
Yes, provided all other conditions are met.
If the application is complete and includes all relevant documents, applicants will be notified of the official decision within 90 days, however, start-up applications will be given top priority at the IND in order to ideally process them sooner (the current estimation is 7 weeks).
The involved parties are:
No. However, the company must be registered in the Trade Register of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
No. You must be present in person to register a company.
Yes, there is a right of appeal against every decision of the IND.
Yes, that’s possible. A non-EU or non-EEA citizen can apply for a residence permit on grounds of the startup rule, even if the company in question has participated in an accelerator programme in the past. However, this third person must fulfil all requirements for the startup permit, including having an agreement with a trustworthy and qualified facilitator.
The startup residence permit will be issued for a period of one year. After one year, the startup entrepreneur may have their residence permit extended on the basis of the Dutch government’s self-employment scheme under the condition that the startup entrepreneur meets the standard requirements applicable to the self-employment scheme.
You can find an overview of these requirements at the IND website.
Since 1 January 2016, the application for the new permit can include a reference letter from the facilitator, increasing the chances to be granted a permit.
The IND’s website provides plenty of information about the regulations concerning the startup permit. You can also reach the IND by phone at +31 (0)88 043 0430.
The facilitator must be trusted and financially sound and may not be related to the startup entrepreneur. Companies can act as facilitators, too, as long as they are registered in the Trade Register of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce have been declared to be trusted and qualified. Accelerator programmes and organisations such as Launchcafe and Inqubator, as well as educational institutions, investors or ‘business angels’ can all assume the role of facilitator.
The agreement must clearly state 1) the nature of the mentoring, 2) the conditions under which the mentoring is offered and 3) what the facilitator’s potential interest in the company is.
The RVO’s website has information on the requirements for facilitators, but they cannot recommend specific facilitators. Assessing the proposed facilitator is part of the application process.
Yes, the facilitator has obligations as stated in the signed agreement. However, the facilitator does not have any legal position, such as a sponsor would when applying for residency.
No. The bank account must be with a Dutch bank (or a bank with a branch in the Netherlands). An alternative is for the facilitator to act as a financial backer, this must be proved at the time of application.
There are three possibilities for financing the stay in the Netherlands if the candidate cannot open a Dutch bank account:
You can provide either a personal or a business account. Note that in both cases it is important that the account was opened in the Netherlands and that the candidate is authorised to withdraw money from the account. In other words, the candidate must have a Dutch bank account that he or she is authorised to withdraw money from.
Are you already in the Netherlands with a short stay visa? Or do you hold the nationality of a country for which there is no visa requirement? In that case, and if all other conditions are met for the startup permit, then you do not need a new application for an MVV.*
Successful recipients of the startup visa who are already present in the Netherlands must still submit an application for the one-year residence permit. You or an authorised representative (such as IN Amsterdam) can submit this application for a residence permit directly to the IND.
Foreign nationals who already have a valid residence permit for the Netherlands but who wish to transfer this to a residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs can also use the application form on the IND’s website.
A list of nationalities exempt from the MVV procedure can be found on the IND site.
*Following an amendment on 1 October 2015, start-up entrepreneurs that are already present in the Netherlands no longer need to apply for and collect a provisional residence permit (MVV) at the Dutch Embassy in their original country of residence, before they can collect an approved startup permit in the Netherlands and apply for the subsequent residence permit.
Startup entrepreneurs residing abroad can still submit their application for an MVV and a residence permit to the Dutch embassy or consulate in their country of residence. Read more about this procedure, including details of required documentation and forms, on the IND site.
Regenesys is the experienced partner for the development of business cases for future-proof projects. If necessary, we will support you in finding the right partners for your project. We regularly guide entrepreneurs in the transition from startup to scale up and from research project to production.
