Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Ruinen

About Golden Visa Law in Ruinen, Netherlands

In the Netherlands, what many people call a Golden Visa is officially the residence permit for foreign investors. It is a national immigration route, administered by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, and it applies uniformly across the country. If you plan to live or base yourself in Ruinen in the province of Drenthe, you follow the same national rules as in any other Dutch municipality.

This permit is intended for non EU EEA Swiss nationals who invest a substantial amount in the Dutch economy. The benchmark has long been at least 1.25 million euros invested in a qualifying way, for example through a Dutch company that demonstrably adds economic value or through an investment fund that meets Dutch regulatory criteria. Your investment is assessed for added value, innovation, and job creation potential. You must pass strict source of funds checks, comply with anti money laundering screening, and meet general residence conditions such as having valid travel documents, not posing a public order risk, and obtaining health insurance once you settle in the Netherlands.

The decision period for this permit is typically up to 90 days after a complete application is submitted. Initial residence is granted for a limited period and can be extended if you continue to meet the conditions. After five years of lawful stay, many investors aim for permanent residence or naturalisation, subject to additional requirements like civic integration and residence continuity.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Investment immigration involves intersecting areas of law and regulation. A lawyer can help you identify a qualifying investment route, structure your investment to meet the legal criteria, and coordinate the assessment by the authorities. This is especially important because passive or purely financial investments often do not qualify, and the Dutch authorities examine the substance and economic value of your plans.

Legal counsel can manage due diligence and source of funds documentation, which must satisfy Dutch anti money laundering rules. They can also coordinate with notaries for company incorporation, review fund documentation for regulatory status, and align your business plan with the criteria used by Dutch agencies that assess innovation, job creation, and added value.

Beyond the permit itself, you may need advice on tax planning, director or shareholder roles in a Dutch company, employment considerations, and governance requirements. A lawyer can guide you on family reunification for your spouse or partner and children, municipal registration in the De Wolden municipality for a Ruinen address, and practical compliance such as biometrics appointments, tuberculosis testing if applicable, and Dutch health insurance.

If your situation changes or an application is delayed or refused, a lawyer can correspond with the authorities, submit additional evidence, lodge objections or appeals, and protect your timelines and rights.

Local Laws Overview

Immigration rules are set nationally, not by the village of Ruinen. However, several local steps matter once you arrive. If you will live in Ruinen, you register your address with the Municipality of De Wolden so that you are entered in the Dutch Personal Records Database and receive a citizen service number. Timely registration is important for access to services, taxes, and healthcare. You are expected to take out Dutch basic health insurance shortly after you become a resident.

If you will incorporate or acquire a Dutch company as part of your investment, you normally do so through a Dutch civil law notary. Your company registers with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, and ultimate beneficial owners are entered in the UBO register. Dutch banks will perform extensive client due diligence before opening accounts and may ask for detailed source of funds documents.

Taxation is national, with some local levies. As a resident you may become taxable in the Netherlands depending on your situation. Income from substantial interests in a Dutch company and your savings and investments can be taxed under Dutch rules. The 30 percent ruling is an employment tax facility for qualifying employees and does not apply to passive investors, though it can sometimes be relevant if you are hired by a Dutch company in a qualifying role. For permanent residence or citizenship later on, civic integration and Dutch language requirements generally apply. A lawyer can coordinate with a tax advisor and relocation specialist to align these local and national obligations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dutch Golden Visa and does it exist in Ruinen

It is the commonly used name for the residence permit for foreign investors. It is a national program that applies across the Netherlands. If you plan to reside in Ruinen, you follow the same national criteria and then register locally with the Municipality of De Wolden.

How much do I need to invest

The threshold has long been at least 1.25 million euros. The funds must be invested in a qualifying way and cannot be borrowed from a Dutch financial institution. The authorities will verify the legal origin of your funds and the substance of the investment.

What kinds of investments qualify

Qualifying routes include investing in or into a Dutch company that adds measurable economic value, or investing through an investment fund that meets Dutch regulatory criteria. Passive holdings that do not add value typically do not qualify. The plan is assessed on innovation, job creation or retention, and added value to the Dutch economy.

Can I qualify by buying real estate

Buying residential property for passive rental income generally does not qualify. Real estate development or investment that demonstrably creates jobs and economic value may be considered, but it is scrutinized and must meet the added value test and other national rules.

How long does the permit last and can it lead to permanent residence

The initial permit is granted for a limited term and can be extended if you still meet all conditions and maintain the qualifying investment. After five years of lawful residence, many investors can apply for permanent residence if they meet integration, residence continuity, and other legal requirements.

Can my family come with me

Your spouse or registered partner and your minor children can usually apply for family reunification linked to your investor residence permit. They must meet general conditions and will have their own residence cards.

Do I need to live in the Netherlands full time

You must have your main residence in the Netherlands to maintain your permit. For later applications like permanent residence or naturalisation, long absences can disrupt the required continuity of stay. A lawyer can help you plan travel to protect your residence history.

What is the application timeline

Once a complete application is filed, the decision period is typically up to 90 days. Preparing the investment, due diligence, bank onboarding, and documentation can take additional time. Biometrics and, for some nationals, an entry visa procedure may be required.

Do I need an MVV entry visa

Many nationals need a provisional residence permit visa before entering the Netherlands to collect their residence card. Some nationalities are exempt. Your lawyer will confirm whether you need an MVV and coordinate the correct procedure.

How is the investment assessed

Authorities review the source and legitimacy of your funds and assess whether the investment meets policy criteria such as innovation, added value, and job creation. Documentation such as business plans, financials, employment forecasts, and proof of regulatory status for any fund are typically required.

Additional Resources

Immigration and Naturalisation Service for investor residence permit policy, procedures, and fees. Netherlands Enterprise Agency for assessments related to innovation and added economic value. Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets for regulatory status of investment funds. Netherlands Chamber of Commerce for company registration and the UBO register. Belastingdienst Dutch Tax and Customs Administration for tax obligations. Municipality of De Wolden for registration in the Personal Records Database and local services after moving to Ruinen. GGD Drenthe for public health matters including any required tuberculosis testing. Royal Dutch Association of Civil-law Notaries for notarial services related to incorporations and share transfers. Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency for investment climate and sector information.

Next Steps

Start with a feasibility assessment to confirm that your planned investment fits Dutch investor residence criteria and your personal timeline. Engage a Dutch immigration lawyer early to map the legal route, sequence the investment and application, and identify documents needed for source of funds and due diligence. If you will invest through a company, coordinate with a notary to incorporate or acquire the entity and with a bank to open accounts, bearing in mind that onboarding can take time. Prepare a robust business plan and supporting evidence to demonstrate innovation, job creation, and added value, and verify the regulatory status of any investment fund you plan to use. File the investor residence application with complete documentation and arrange biometrics and any required MVV entry visa. After approval and arrival, register your address with the Municipality of De Wolden for Ruinen, obtain your citizen service number, take out Dutch health insurance, and complete any required health checks. Maintain your qualifying investment and Dutch main residence, track key renewal dates, and plan ahead for civic integration if you wish to apply for permanent residence or naturalisation in the future.

Laws and policies can change and individual circumstances differ. For tailored advice and up to date requirements, consult a qualified Dutch immigration lawyer before you commit funds.