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The Netherlands does not broadly market a single product called a "Golden Visa" as some other countries do. Instead, it offers a range of residence-permit routes that can lead to legal residence based on business activity, investment, or employment. Relevant routes include the investor residence permit, the self-employed or entrepreneur permit, the start-up visa, and permits for highly-skilled migrants. These routes are governed by national immigration law administered by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service - IND - and interact with local requirements in Delft such as municipal registration, business registration with the Chamber of Commerce, and local housing rules.
Delft is a university and technology hub with a strong start-up ecosystem centered around TU Delft and local incubators. That environment makes certain business-based routes - for example the start-up visa or entrepreneur permit - especially relevant to applicants who want to establish or grow an innovative business while living in Delft.
Immigration and investment-related residence matters often intersect with corporate, tax and administrative law. A specialised immigration or corporate lawyer can help in several common situations:
- Assess eligibility and recommend the best route: investor permit, self-employed entrepreneur, start-up, highly-skilled migrant or family reunification.
- Structure investments and business entities to meet immigration and regulatory criteria while minimising tax or legal risk.
- Prepare applications and supporting documents such as a credible business plan, proof of lawful source of funds, contracts, and employment arrangements.
- Navigate complex requirements for due diligence, anti-money-laundering checks and background screening.
- Challenge refusals, prepare appeals to administrative courts, or handle urgent matters such as removal orders and interim relief.
- Advise on related obligations: registering with the Chamber of Commerce, tax registration, social security contributions, health-insurance obligations, and municipal registration in Delft.
Key legal and procedural elements that people seeking residence in Delft should understand include:
- National immigration framework - Vreemdelingenwet and IND procedures: Residence permits are issued under national law and evaluated by the IND. Different permit categories have distinct statutory criteria and documentation requirements.
- Investor or substantial investment route: The Netherlands can permit residence for foreign investors or entrepreneurs who make a significant economic contribution. This typically requires a substantial capital commitment and demonstrable economic interest in the Netherlands. Exact expectations can change, so up-to-date legal guidance is essential.
- Self-employed and start-up routes: The self-employed entrepreneur and start-up visas require a viable business plan that benefits the Dutch economy, along with proof of sufficient means and relevant experience. For start-ups there is often a requirement to work with a statutory facilitator and to show an innovation component.
- Registration obligations - KvK and municipality: Anyone doing business in the Netherlands must usually register with the Chamber of Commerce - Kamer van Koophandel - and residents must register with the municipality of residence - in Delft that is Gemeente Delft - to obtain a citizen service number - BSN - and access local services.
- Tax and social security: Residence often creates tax residency and social-security obligations. Taxation is national and administered by the Belastingdienst. Tax planning, including the interaction with the 30-percent ruling for qualifying highly-skilled migrants, should be discussed with an accountant or tax lawyer.
- Family reunification, renewals and permanent residency: Rules govern who can join a permit holder, the conditions to renew permits, and the path to permanent residence or naturalisation after meeting residence and integration requirements.
- Compliance requirements: Anti-money-laundering and source-of-funds checks are commonly required for investment-related applications. Criminal-record checks and medical or health-insurance requirements may also apply.
- Local practicalities in Delft: Housing availability, municipal paperwork and local business support services in Delft can affect how quickly you can settle and meet permit conditions. For example, proving a viable local business presence may require local premises, contracts or university collaborations.
The Netherlands does not use a single "Golden Visa" brand. Instead, you should look at specific residence routes - investor, entrepreneur, start-up and highly-skilled migrant permits. The rules are national and apply in Delft as they do elsewhere, although local factors such as business networks, housing and municipal registration can affect practical implementation.
There is no single fixed figure published as a universal threshold for all investment routes. Investment-based or significant economic-contribution routes typically expect a substantial capital commitment - often in the seven-figure range for pure investor-style routes - but entrepreneur and start-up routes focus more on the viability and economic benefit of the business. You should obtain current, case-specific advice from a lawyer or immigration specialist.
Simply buying residential property in the Netherlands does not automatically grant a residence permit. Immigration authorities look at the legal basis for residence - investment in business activity, employment, or family ties - rather than property ownership alone. Property ownership can support an application by demonstrating ties to the Netherlands, but it is rarely sufficient by itself.
Many residence routes allow family reunification for spouses, registered partners and dependent children, subject to conditions like adequate housing, sufficient income or funds, and meeting integration or health requirements. Rules vary by permit type, so check the specific family reunification criteria that apply to your chosen route.
Processing times vary by permit type and the completeness of the application. Some permits may be processed in a few weeks, while investor or complex entrepreneur applications can take several months. Delays often result from requests for additional evidence or external background checks. A lawyer can help prepare a complete application to reduce delays.
Most residence permits require that you register with the municipality once you arrive. For some business routes it is helpful or necessary to show an address or local presence, business premises, or a local business registration with KvK. Municipal registration is essential to obtain a BSN and access to banking, healthcare and social services.
Residence can create tax residency in the Netherlands, making you liable for Dutch income tax on worldwide income. There are special regimes for certain migrants, such as the 30-percent ruling for qualifying highly-skilled employees. Tax consequences depend on your personal and corporate arrangements, so consult a Dutch tax adviser to plan effectively.
Typical documents include a passport, proof of funds and lawful source of funds, a detailed business plan, financial projections, incorporation documents if you form a Dutch company, contracts, CVs and qualifications, proof of registration with the Chamber of Commerce, municipal registration details, and criminal-record certificates. Exact requirements depend on the permit category.
If the IND refuses an application you usually receive a written decision explaining the reasons and the available legal remedies. Refusals can often be appealed within a set timeframe. A specialised lawyer can assess the refusal grounds, prepare an appeal, and advise whether there are alternative routes or corrective steps to take.
Permanent residence and naturalisation have separate requirements, typically including continuous lawful residence for a set period - usually five years for permanent residence - sufficient income, integration/inburgering obligations and a clean criminal record. Meeting the initial residence-permit conditions does not guarantee permanent residence or citizenship; you must meet the statutory criteria when you apply.
When seeking legal or procedural information consider these Dutch institutions and local organisations:
- Immigration and Naturalisation Service - IND - for national immigration rules and procedural details.
- Gemeente Delft - for municipal registration, local permits and housing information in Delft.
- Kamer van Koophandel - KvK - for business registration and information about operating a company in the Netherlands.
- Belastingdienst - Dutch Tax Authority - for tax residency, corporate and personal tax obligations.
- Netherlands Enterprise Agency - RVO - and local incubators and accelerators around TU Delft for business support and information on innovation programs.
- Professional organisations - consult a qualified immigration lawyer or a lawyer registered with the Dutch Bar - Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten - and a licensed tax adviser for combined legal and tax planning.
If you are considering a business or investment route to live in Delft, here is a practical sequence to follow:
- Clarify objectives: Define whether your primary goal is residency, running a business, studying, or combining objectives such as family relocation.
- Initial eligibility check: Consult an immigration lawyer or specialist to select the most suitable permit route and to understand likely documentation and timing.
- Prepare a plan and documents: Work with your lawyer and an accountant to prepare a robust business plan, proof of lawful funds, financial projections and corporate documents where needed.
- Local engagement: Contact Gemeente Delft about municipal registration requirements, and the Chamber of Commerce to register your company if applicable. Engage local incubators or university partners if you are pursuing a start-up route.
- Submit a complete application: File the application through the IND or with the help of your lawyer to reduce the risk of requests for further information.
- Follow up and compliance: Register for taxes, arrange Dutch health insurance upon arrival, and maintain compliance with visa conditions. If any complications arise - for example a refusal or request for clarification - instruct your lawyer promptly to explore remedies and appeals.
If you want, I can help you draft an initial checklist of documents tailored to your personal situation, or provide a template set of questions to ask when you meet a Delft-based immigration lawyer or tax adviser.
