Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Ommen

About Golden Visa Law in Ommen, Netherlands

The Netherlands operates a residence-by-investment route commonly referred to as the Golden Visa. In Dutch practice it is known as the residence permit for foreign investors. While immigration decisions are made at the national level by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, you can live anywhere in the country, including Ommen in the province of Overijssel. The core idea is that a non-EU or non-EEA or non-Swiss national can obtain a Dutch residence permit by making a substantial qualifying investment that adds value to the Dutch economy. The investment is typically made in a Dutch company or in a qualifying investment fund that invests in Dutch enterprises. Direct passive real estate purchases do not qualify.

The investor permit is generally granted for a multi-year period, is renewable as long as you continue to meet the conditions, and can lead to long-term residence and potentially naturalisation after meeting residence time, integration, and other general conditions. Family members can usually join the main applicant. Because this is a national regime, the substantive rules are the same whether you reside in Ommen or in another Dutch municipality. Local steps in Ommen primarily involve registration as a resident and day-to-day matters such as housing, schooling, and municipal taxes.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Residence-by-investment cases involve multiple legal disciplines. A Dutch immigration and corporate lawyer can help you with the following common situations:

- Assessing eligibility and the most suitable investment route, such as investing in your own Dutch company, participating in a qualifying fund, or contributing to an innovative venture.

- Structuring and documenting the investment so it meets the legal criteria on economic added value and is compliant with Dutch company law and financial supervision rules.

- Demonstrating lawful origin of funds, preparing anti-money-laundering documentation, and navigating bank onboarding and due diligence.

- Coordinating with the Netherlands Enterprise Agency on the added-value assessment and ensuring your business plan and projections meet the points-based criteria.

- Preparing and filing the residence application with the immigration authority, including family member applications, health insurance, and tuberculosis testing where required.

- Advising on tax planning for investors and their businesses, including personal tax residency, corporate tax, VAT, and dividend or capital gains treatment.

- Managing extensions, compliance audits, and changes during the investment period, such as reorganisations, additional funding rounds, or partial exits.

- Planning for permanent residence or naturalisation, including civic integration requirements and physical residence considerations.

- Addressing practical Ommen-specific matters, such as municipal registration, local permits for business premises, and interaction with the regional chamber of commerce.

Local Laws Overview

Key aspects of Dutch and local rules that affect Golden Visa applicants living in Ommen include:

- National immigration framework: The investor permit is issued by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service. You must make a qualifying investment of a substantial minimum amount that is fixed by national policy. The investment must add value to the Dutch economy, which is assessed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency using criteria such as job creation, innovation, and non-financial contributions. Security and integrity screening applies, and the lawful origin of funds must be demonstrated.

- Qualifying investments: Investment can be made in a Dutch company, a contractual joint venture that invests in a Dutch enterprise, or a qualifying fund supervised within the EU. Passive real estate investment does not qualify, although some professionally managed funds that invest in innovative projects can qualify if they meet supervision and added-value criteria.

- Financial supervision and banking: Funds must be transferred through a bank under prudential supervision in the Netherlands or another EU country. Dutch banks apply strict anti-money-laundering and know-your-customer checks. If you invest through a fund, it typically must be supervised by the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets or an equivalent EU authority.

- Duration and renewals: The initial residence permit is typically granted for a multi-year term. You must maintain the investment and continue to meet the conditions to renew. After five years of lawful residence under a non-temporary permit, you can usually apply for permanent residence if you meet the general conditions, including integration and sufficient means, and you may later be eligible for naturalisation subject to residence and integration rules.

- Family members: Spouses or registered partners and minor children can usually apply for family reunification. They may have work rights tied to the main applicant’s status.

- Tax and corporate law: If you establish or invest in a Dutch company, you must register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce and comply with corporate governance, ultimate beneficial owner registration, and annual filing obligations. Personal and corporate taxes are administered by the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. The specific tax outcome depends on your structure and residency status.

- Local Ommen processes: Upon arrival to live in Ommen, you must register in the Municipal Personal Records Database to obtain or activate your citizen service number. You will interact with the municipality for local taxes and services. Business locations are subject to zoning and may require local permits. These local steps do not change the national immigration criteria but are important for lawful residence and daily life.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum investment for the Dutch Golden Visa?

The Netherlands requires a substantial minimum investment set by national policy. It must be invested in a qualifying way that adds value to the Dutch economy. A lawyer can confirm the current threshold and acceptable investment forms at the time you intend to apply.

Can I qualify by buying a house or apartment in Ommen?

No. Direct passive real estate purchases do not qualify for the Dutch investor residence permit. Investment must be in a Dutch business or a qualifying fund that supports Dutch enterprises and meets added-value criteria.

How long does the application process take?

Processing often takes up to several months. Timelines depend on completeness of documentation, banking due diligence, the added-value assessment, and immigration review. Complex source-of-funds checks can extend the timeline.

Do I have to live in Ommen full time?

You must comply with Dutch residence rules for your permit type and for any later permanent residence or naturalisation application. Extended absences may affect eligibility for long-term status. Your lawyer can help plan travel and stay patterns that protect your immigration goals.

Can my spouse and children join me?

Yes. Eligible family members may apply for residence as dependants. They generally have access to the Dutch education system and health care, and may have work rights depending on the family permit issued.

What evidence of funds do I need?

You must prove the lawful origin and availability of the investment funds. Expect to provide bank statements, sale or dividend records, contracts, tax certificates, company financials, and where relevant inheritance or gift documentation. Translation and legalisation rules apply for foreign documents.

Do I need to invest through a Dutch bank or fund?

Funds must be transferred through a bank under EU prudential supervision. If you use an investment fund, it should be supervised within the EU and meet the program’s added-value requirements. Your lawyer can help vet funds and bank solutions.

Will I have to pass a language test?

For the initial investor residence permit, there is no language exam. For permanent residence or naturalisation, civic integration requirements apply, which include demonstrating language ability under the standards in force at the time you apply.

What are my tax obligations if I move to Ommen?

Tax depends on your residency, the structure of your investment, and income sources. You may be subject to Dutch personal income tax and, if you own a Dutch company, corporate and dividend taxes may apply. Obtain tailored tax advice before investing.

What happens if my investment changes after approval?

Material changes such as selling your stake, reorganising the company, or moving between funds can affect your permit. You must maintain a qualifying investment for the duration of your residence. Consult your lawyer before making changes to avoid non-compliance.

Additional Resources

- Immigration and Naturalisation Service for residence permit rules and applications.

- Netherlands Enterprise Agency for economic added-value assessments and innovation criteria.

- Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets for supervised funds and financial market oversight.

- De Nederlandsche Bank for prudential supervision and banking compliance.

- Netherlands Chamber of Commerce for company registration and the ultimate beneficial owner register.

- Dutch Tax and Customs Administration for personal and corporate tax obligations.

- Municipality of Ommen for resident registration, local taxes, and housing or zoning questions.

- Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries for company formation and legalisations.

- The Netherlands Bar for finding licensed immigration and corporate lawyers.

Next Steps

- Clarify your goals: Decide whether you prefer investing in your own Dutch company, joining a qualifying fund, or partnering in an innovative venture, and whether you plan to reside primarily in Ommen.

- Engage advisors early: Retain a Dutch immigration lawyer and a tax or corporate advisor. Early structuring avoids problems with added-value criteria, banking, and taxes.

- Prepare documentation: Assemble identification, civil status records, proof of funds, origin-of-funds evidence, bank references, business plans, and where needed audited financials. Arrange certified translations and legalisations as required.

- Select banking and investment channels: Open accounts with an EU supervised bank and, if using a fund, confirm it meets supervision and program criteria. Begin bank compliance checks promptly.

- File the application: Your lawyer will prepare and submit the investor residence application and any family member applications, coordinate any added-value assessment, and monitor processing.

- Complete arrival formalities: After approval and arrival in the Netherlands, register in the Ommen Municipal Personal Records Database, obtain or activate your citizen service number, take biometrics for your residence card, and arrange health insurance.

- Maintain compliance: Keep the qualifying investment in place, fulfill reporting duties, pay taxes and municipal charges, and notify authorities of material changes. Track timelines for renewals and for long-term residence or naturalisation if desired.

Because rules and thresholds can change, always confirm current requirements with a qualified Dutch lawyer before committing funds or filing any application.