Best Residence by Investment Lawyers in Diever

About Residence by Investment Law in Diever, Netherlands

Residence by investment in the Netherlands is a national immigration pathway that allows high net worth individuals to obtain a Dutch residence permit by making a qualifying investment that adds value to the Dutch economy. The scheme is administered by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, with an economic value assessment by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Diever is a village in the municipality of Westerveld in Drenthe, and local steps you take in Diever are focused on civil registration, housing, and practical settlement, while the residence by investment decision itself is made under national law.

The Netherlands does not offer a pure real estate golden visa. Buying a home in Diever or anywhere else in the country does not on its own qualify for a residence permit. Common investment-linked routes include the foreign investor residence permit for passive investors meeting a high threshold, the self-employed entrepreneur residence permit for those running a business that benefits the Dutch economy, and the start-up or innovative entrepreneur permit for founders working with a recognized facilitator. Each route has different eligibility criteria, documentation standards, and risks, so careful planning is essential.

Why You May Need a Lawyer

Investors and entrepreneurs often involve a lawyer to evaluate the most suitable residence route and structure the investment so it meets immigration, regulatory, and tax requirements. A lawyer can explain how the investor permit differs from the self-employed or start-up permits, and can assess whether your plans realistically satisfy the Netherlands Enterprise Agency criteria for added economic value.

Source of funds documentation is a frequent stumbling block. Legal counsel helps prepare audit-quality evidence of the lawful origin and unencumbered nature of your funds, align banking steps with anti-money laundering rules, and coordinate notarial deeds. If you invest through a fund, a lawyer checks whether the fund is permitted for immigration purposes and whether any Dutch financial supervision applies.

Families seek legal help to add spouses and children, plan schooling and health insurance, and avoid gaps in lawful residence. If the Immigration and Naturalisation Service issues requests for information or a negative decision, a lawyer can respond, file objections, or appeal. Locally, counsel helps with municipal registration in Westerveld, required legalizations and translations of civil documents, and compliance with health checks.

Local Laws Overview

Residence by investment and related routes are governed by national immigration law and policy. Key features commonly include a minimum qualifying investment amount, a requirement that the investment benefits the Dutch economy, screening of the investor and the funds under integrity rules, and a review by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency. Investments typically include direct equity in a Dutch company that creates or safeguards jobs or participation through qualifying venture capital or private equity funds that invest in Dutch businesses. Real estate used primarily for passive holding does not satisfy the national objectives. Financing the investment with loans or pledges is generally not accepted, and the funds must be demonstrably your own and lawfully obtained.

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service conducts residence assessments and may take up to several months to decide. Application fees apply and are adjusted periodically, so you should confirm current amounts before filing. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a long stay entry visa to travel to the Netherlands for this purpose. Once approved, you provide biometrics at an Immigration and Naturalisation Service desk and collect your residence card. In many cases, investors and their family members have free access to the Dutch labor market, but specific work authorization notes on the residence card govern what you can do.

After arrival, you must register in the Personal Records Database with the Municipality of Westerveld if you reside in Diever, obtain a citizen service number, and take out Dutch basic health insurance within the legal timeframe if required. Some nationalities must complete a tuberculosis test with the municipal health service in Drenthe within a set period. You must also maintain suitable housing and keep your investment compliant during the permit period. For long term residence or naturalization after several years, language and civic integration rules apply, and prolonged absences can affect eligibility.

Tax is national and can be material. Dutch tax residence is fact based. Income and assets are taxed under the Dutch system, and double tax treaties may apply. You should obtain tailored tax advice on how your investment is held, the treatment of dividends or capital gains, wealth taxation, and the implications for any company you own in the Netherlands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does buying a house in Diever qualify me for residence by investment

No. Purchasing residential or commercial property on its own does not qualify for a Dutch residence by investment permit. The Dutch scheme targets investments that measurably benefit the economy, such as equity in Dutch companies or participation in qualifying investment funds.

What is the minimum investment for the foreign investor residence permit

National policy sets a high monetary threshold and requires that the investment adds value to the Dutch economy. Because amounts and conditions can change, you should confirm the current threshold and criteria with the Immigration and Naturalisation Service and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency before committing funds.

What types of investments typically qualify

Qualifying options usually include direct equity in a Dutch private company that creates or safeguards jobs, or participation in a venture capital or private equity fund that invests primarily in Dutch start ups and scale ups and meets Dutch regulatory standards. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency assesses whether the investment provides added economic value under a points based or similar framework.

Can my spouse and children join me

Yes. Eligible family members, such as a spouse or registered partner and minor children, can usually apply for residence as dependants. Their right to work depends on the conditions of your permit, which appear as notes on the residence card.

How long does the process take

The Immigration and Naturalisation Service generally has up to several months to decide on applications. Processing can be longer if additional checks are needed, for example to verify the source of funds or the nature of the investment. You should plan for a staged timeline that includes bank due diligence, Netherlands Enterprise Agency assessment, and Immigration and Naturalisation Service decision making.

Do I need to live in Diever full time to keep my permit

You must maintain lawful residence in the Netherlands and comply with the conditions of your permit. For later long term residence or citizenship, you must demonstrate continuous lawful residence and meet integration requirements. Extended stays abroad can affect eligibility. A lawyer can help you plan travel and residence patterns that keep you compliant.

Can I work or run a business while holding an investor permit

Investor permit holders and their family members often have free access to the labor market, meaning no separate work permit is required. Always check the work authorization note on your residence card and obtain advice if you plan to be a director or salaried employee of your Dutch company, as payroll and tax obligations will apply.

What evidence of source of funds is required

You must show that your investment funds are lawfully obtained, unencumbered, and under your control. Common evidence includes audited financial statements, sale contracts, bank statements, tax returns, inheritance documents, and legal opinions. Banks and authorities will perform anti money laundering and integrity checks.

Will I owe Dutch taxes on my worldwide income

If you are tax resident in the Netherlands, you are generally taxed on worldwide income and assets, subject to the Dutch system and any applicable tax treaties. The outcome depends on your facts, such as time spent in the country, family ties, housing, and where your economic interests are centered. Obtain tax advice before you move or invest.

Is there a path to permanent residence or Dutch citizenship

After several years of continuous lawful residence, you can apply for a long term residence permit if you meet integration and other requirements. Naturalization generally requires five years of lawful residence, integration, and a clean record, among other conditions. Time spent outside the Netherlands can interrupt eligibility, so you should plan ahead.

Additional Resources

Immigration and Naturalisation Service. This is the national authority that decides residence by investment and related permits. It provides application forms, fee schedules, and decision timelines.

Netherlands Enterprise Agency. This agency evaluates whether your investment provides added economic value to the Dutch economy and issues an advisory opinion used in residence decisions.

Belastingdienst. The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration provides information on income tax, wealth tax, corporate tax, payroll obligations, and registration for a citizen service number.

Authority for the Financial Markets and De Nederlandsche Bank. These regulators supervise certain funds and financial institutions. Their rules can affect whether a fund qualifies for immigration purposes and the due diligence banks must perform.

Municipality of Westerveld. If you settle in Diever, you register your address in the Personal Records Database with this municipality and obtain a citizen service number.

GGD Drenthe. The municipal health service can conduct tuberculosis tests if your permit conditions require it and offers local public health services.

Kamer van Koophandel. The Dutch Chamber of Commerce registers companies and provides extract services if you plan to invest in or incorporate a Dutch entity.

Nederlandse orde van advocaten. The Dutch Bar Association can help you identify licensed immigration and corporate lawyers who advise on residence by investment.

Koninklijke Notariële Beroepsorganisatie. The Royal Dutch Notarial Professional Organization can help you find a civil law notary for investment transactions and document legalizations.

Next Steps

Clarify your goals and timeline. Decide whether you want a passive investor route or an entrepreneur route such as self employed or start up. Your intended level of involvement and risk tolerance will drive the choice.

Engage qualified advisors. Retain an immigration lawyer to map permit options and an independent tax advisor to model the fiscal impact. If you will invest through a fund or into a Dutch company, appoint a lawyer and civil law notary to run legal due diligence and prepare transaction documents.

Assemble documentation. Gather passports, civil status documents with apostille and certified translations, bank statements, audited financials, tax returns, source of funds proofs, criminal record certificates, health insurance evidence, and any corporate papers linked to your investment. Confirm document validity periods so items do not expire before filing.

Prepare the investment. Open an account with a Dutch or permitted EU bank, complete know your customer procedures, and structure the investment in a way that meets Netherlands Enterprise Agency criteria. If using a fund, confirm the fund type and its Dutch focus satisfy immigration policy.

File the application. Submit the application to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service, pay the fee, and respond promptly to any evidence requests. If you need a long stay entry visa, coordinate filing at a Dutch embassy or consulate before traveling.

Complete arrival formalities. After approval, provide biometrics at an Immigration and Naturalisation Service desk, collect your residence card, register with the Municipality of Westerveld if living in Diever, obtain a citizen service number, arrange health insurance, and complete any required tuberculosis test.

Stay compliant. Maintain the qualifying investment and keep records up to date. Track travel and residence days, meet integration obligations in time, and renew the permit before expiry. If your circumstances change, seek legal advice before taking action.

If you need legal assistance, schedule a consultation with a Dutch immigration lawyer experienced in investor and entrepreneur permits. Bring a summary of your investment plan and available documentation to make the most of the meeting. A focused legal strategy early in the process reduces risk, shortens timelines, and protects your capital and immigration goals.