Best Golden Visa Lawyers in Spier

About Golden Visa Law in Spier, Netherlands

People often use the term golden visa to describe the Dutch residence permit for foreign investors. This national program is administered by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service and applies everywhere in the Netherlands, including Spier in the municipality of Midden-Drenthe. In broad terms, an eligible foreign national can obtain temporary residence by making a significant qualifying investment that adds value to the Dutch economy. The investment usually must be active and value-adding, not merely passive. Program design and availability have been reviewed by policymakers in recent years, so it is important to confirm current rules before you commit funds.

Living in Spier does not change the legal requirements, but you will complete some practical steps locally, such as your municipal registration, obtaining a citizen service number, and arranging housing and health insurance. Your application and immigration status are governed by national law and assessed centrally.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Investor residence applications involve complex immigration, financial, corporate, and tax questions. A lawyer can help you decide whether the investor route is suitable compared to alternatives such as the startup visa or the self-employed scheme. Counsel can structure the investment to fit eligibility criteria and prepare a business plan and supporting evidence that show economic value and innovation. A lawyer coordinates due diligence on the source of funds and ensures that anti-money laundering requirements are met by banks or trust offices.

Legal help is particularly useful if you plan to invest through a fund or a newly formed Dutch company, include family members, or need to combine the investor route with work activities. Counsel can also manage timelines if you need an entry visa before arriving in the Netherlands, handle communication with the immigration authority, and prepare you for renewals and long-term residence or naturalisation. If rules change while your case is pending, a lawyer can adjust strategy and preserve your position.

Local Laws Overview

National immigration framework. The residence permit for foreign investors requires a substantial qualifying investment. The investment must demonstrably add value to the Dutch economy through elements such as job creation, innovation, and non-financial contributions like sector expertise and networks. An economic value assessment is typically performed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. The due diligence on the legality and origin of funds is performed by a Dutch bank or a supervised trust office under anti-money laundering rules. The investment must be maintained for the duration of the residence permit.

Types of qualifying investments. Common routes include investing in a Dutch company, participating in a designated venture capital or seed fund that is supervised, or committing capital to an innovative enterprise active in the Netherlands. Purely passive holdings generally do not qualify. Direct residential real estate acquisition is usually not accepted as a qualifying investment unless it clearly meets the value-added and supervision criteria through an eligible fund or structure.

Application mechanics. Depending on your nationality, you may need a provisional residence permit from a Dutch embassy or consulate before travel. The immigration service aims to decide investor applications within a standard decision period that can extend to several months. Fees for investor applications are higher than for most other residence categories. Biometrics are required, and you collect your residence card at an immigration desk after approval.

Rights and conditions. Investor permit holders generally have the right to live in the Netherlands and may work. Spouses or partners and minor children can often join the main applicant as family members, subject to standard conditions. Health insurance is required. You must continue to meet investment and public order conditions throughout your stay.

Pathways after arrival. After a continuous lawful stay of several years, investors may be eligible to apply for permanent residence if they meet integration, income, and other statutory requirements. Naturalisation as a Dutch citizen has additional conditions, including residence duration and civic integration. Language and integration rules can change, so check current standards when you plan.

Municipal procedures in Spier. Upon moving to Spier for a stay of more than four months, you must register in the Municipal Personal Records Database with the Municipality of Midden-Drenthe. Bring your passport, residence permit or approval letter, and a signed rental or ownership document. Registration is needed to obtain a citizen service number and to access services such as health insurance enrollment and taxation. The nearest immigration desks for biometrics or card collection are typically in larger cities in the region, such as Groningen or Zwolle.

Tax and regulatory environment. Your investment and personal tax position will depend on the structure chosen and whether you hold substantial interest in a company, invest via a fund, or hold assets privately. Dutch anti-money laundering and sanctions rules apply to all investor funds and intermediaries. If you will act as a director or set up a company, registration with the Chamber of Commerce and compliance with Dutch corporate law will be required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Dutch golden visa and is it currently available?

The commonly used term golden visa refers to the residence permit for foreign investors. It allows eligible non-EU nationals to live in the Netherlands based on a qualifying, value-adding investment. Because policies are reviewed periodically, confirm current availability and criteria with the immigration authority or a qualified lawyer before proceeding.

How much do I need to invest?

The scheme requires a substantial minimum investment. The exact threshold and acceptable structures are set nationally and can be updated. Expect a seven-figure euro commitment and budget additional amounts for fees, due diligence, and professional costs.

What kinds of investments qualify?

Investments that actively support the Dutch economy typically qualify. Examples include equity in an innovative Dutch company, participation in a supervised venture capital or seed fund, or comparable structures that create jobs and foster innovation. Passive portfolio investments and personal residential property purchases usually do not qualify.

Can I invest in real estate?

Direct purchase of residential property as a passive investment is generally not accepted. Real estate may be possible only if it is part of a supervised investment fund or a development that clearly meets the program’s value-added criteria. Each case requires careful legal analysis.

How long does the application process take?

Processing often takes several months from the time a complete application is submitted. Timelines depend on due diligence of funds, economic value assessment, embassy procedures for an entry visa if needed, and appointment availability for biometrics and card collection.

Can my spouse or children come with me?

Yes, eligible family members such as a spouse or registered partner and minor children can usually apply to join you. They must meet standard conditions on identity, family relationship, and public order. Family members typically obtain the right to live and attend school, and in many cases to work.

Do I need to live in Spier full time?

You must maintain your main residence in the Netherlands and meet continuous residence requirements to preserve your status and to qualify for permanent residence or naturalisation later. Short trips abroad are acceptable within legal limits, but extended absences can disrupt residence continuity.

Will I be allowed to work or start a company?

Investor permit holders generally have broad work rights. You can be employed, start and manage a company, or serve as a director, subject to standard sectoral regulations. If you intend to run a business, ensure proper registration and compliance with local and national rules.

What happens if my investment loses value?

Market fluctuations are normal. What matters is that you continue to meet the program’s conditions, including keeping the qualifying investment in place for the required period and maintaining its value-added character. If circumstances change, consult counsel promptly to protect your status.

Can this lead to permanent residence or citizenship?

After a period of continuous lawful residence and compliance with conditions, you may qualify for permanent residence. Naturalisation requires additional steps such as civic integration and meeting residence duration requirements. Always check the current rules when you plan your timeline.

Additional Resources

Immigration and Naturalisation Service IND for residence permits and procedures.

Netherlands Enterprise Agency RVO for economic value assessments and innovation criteria.

Municipality of Midden-Drenthe Civil Affairs for BRP registration and local residency matters.

Netherlands Tax and Customs Administration Belastingdienst for tax registration and guidance.

Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets AFM and De Nederlandsche Bank DNB for supervision of funds and financial institutions.

Netherlands Chamber of Commerce Kamer van Koophandel for company registration and corporate filings.

Dutch diplomatic missions embassies and consulates for entry visa applications outside the Netherlands.

Dutch Bar Association Nederlandse Orde van Advocaten for finding a qualified immigration or corporate lawyer.

Northern Netherlands Development Agency NOM for regional business development support in Drenthe and surrounding provinces.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals. Decide whether your priority is residency, business expansion, or both. Compare the investor permit with other Dutch residence options to ensure the investor route is the right fit.

Obtain tailored legal advice. Speak with an immigration lawyer experienced in investor cases and a corporate or funds lawyer to choose a compliant investment structure. Early legal input helps avoid disqualifying investments.

Pre-screen your investment. Engage with a Dutch bank or supervised trust office to begin source-of-funds checks and know-your-customer procedures. Coordinate an economic value assessment plan aligned with innovation and job creation criteria.

Assemble documentation. Prepare identification documents, proof and origin of funds, draft investment agreements, business plans, corporate documents, family relationship records, and health insurance evidence.

Plan the filing route. If you need an entry visa, schedule an appointment at a Dutch embassy or consulate. If eligible to apply from within the Netherlands, coordinate submission with your lawyer and the timing of fund transfers or escrow arrangements.

Attend appointments. Provide biometrics at an immigration desk and register with the Municipality of Midden-Drenthe after arrival. Obtain your citizen service number and arrange health insurance and housing documentation.

Maintain compliance. Keep the qualifying investment in place, meet reporting or renewal requirements, and track travel so you preserve continuous residence. Reassess your structure before renewals and consider the steps for permanent residence or naturalisation when eligible.

Because investor rules and thresholds can change, always verify current requirements with a qualified lawyer and the competent authorities before committing capital.