Moving to the Netherlands now requires much more than just “buying a plane ticket and going.” Especially with the new European border systems that will come into effect in 2026 and beyond, increasing income requirements, and tightening controls, it is essential to plan the process strategically.
In this guide, we will address the question “How to settle in the Netherlands?” through different types of residence permits rather than a single program. Because the Dutch immigration system is not just a single package like the “2026 program”; it is based on purpose-based residence permits such as work, family reunification, entrepreneurship, investment, and education.
The Basic Logic of Settling in the Netherlands: Residence Permit and MVV
If you are not a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you generally need two things to stay in the Netherlands for more than 90 days:
- A long-stay visa (MVV) for entry – may be mandatory depending on nationality.
- A residence permit issued for a specific purpose – work, education, family reunification, entrepreneurship, etc.
The common basic requirements are summarized as follows:
- Valid passport
- No risk to public order and national security (criminal record, security checks)
- In most permit types, proof of sufficient and regular income
- For citizens of some countries, a tuberculosis (TB) test
Short-Term Stay and the 2026 ETIAS System
If you are just saying, “Let me go and see the country first,” and your stay will not exceed 90 days, the classic Schengen regime applies. Many nationalities are exempt from visa requirements; however, towards the end of 2026, an ETIAS pre-travel authorization will also be mandatory for these groups.
ETIAS is not a residence or work permit; it is only a pre-approval for short-term travel. For details, you can check the official ETIAS page of the Dutch Government.
If your long-term settlement goal is in mind, the main focus should be on the types of residence permits detailed below.
The Most Common Route: Work-Based Residence Permits
Most Turkish and other third-country citizens who settle in the Netherlands obtain residence through a job offer or professional activity. This will continue to be the strongest route even after 2026.
1) Highly Skilled Migrant Program (Highly Skilled Migrant – Kennismigrant)
This route is particularly ideal for the following profiles:
- IT specialists, software developers
- Engineers, technical experts
- Finance, data, artificial intelligence, biotechnology professionals
- Researchers in universities and R&D centers
The basic logic: If a company in the Netherlands wants to hire you and has the status of a recognised sponsor by the IND, they can apply for both the MVV and residence permit on your behalf through a single “combined procedure”.
Main Conditions
- Your employer must be on the IND recognised sponsor list
- Valid passport
- Commitment to undergo a TB test if required
- No risk to public order and safety
- Signed employment contract or appointment letter
- Salary above the minimum gross salary threshold defined by the IND
The salary threshold is updated every year on January 1, and this indexing will continue after 2026. Important point: The amount valid at the time of application is taken into account. If you change jobs, the threshold at the start date of the new job will apply.
Current figures can be tracked on the IND’s “Required Amounts – Income Requirements” page.
Process and Timing
- In most cases, the employer applies for the TEV (MVV + residence) on your behalf.
- For recognised sponsors, the IND typically aims to conclude the application within approximately 2 weeks.
- After approval:
- If you are outside the country, you will collect the MVV from the consulate and enter the Netherlands.
- After entering the Netherlands, the biometric procedures and the process of receiving the residence card will begin.
This route is generally the fastest and most predictable way to settle. However, elements such as the employer’s sponsor status, salary scale, and contract duration are critical.
2) Orientation Year Residence for Highly Skilled Graduates (Orientation Year / Zoekjaar)
If you are a recent graduate or researcher, it may be more realistic to come to the Netherlands first and look for a job within a year rather than finding a direct job offer. The Orientation Year provides exactly this opportunity.
Who Can Apply?
- Those who have completed a higher education program in the Netherlands
- Graduates from foreign universities meeting certain criteria (qualified institutions, specific level programs)
- Individuals who have conducted research in certain statuses in Dutch or EU projects
Highlights
- Duration of the permit: 1 year
- During this period, you can live in the Netherlands and look for a job.
- For application:
- Valid passport
- Diploma or graduation certificate (sworn translation if necessary)
- A Dutch address (can be temporary)
- IND fee is approximately €200 (updated annually).
- When you find a job, you generally transition to a highly skilled migrant residence.
The strategic advantage is this: If you have an Orientation Year background, the minimum salary threshold expected from you in the highly skilled migrant route is usually set slightly lower than the standard. This makes you more accessible to employers.
Settling in the Netherlands through Entrepreneurship and Freelancing
Not only “getting a job in the Netherlands” but also “starting your own business” or being self-employed is a strong settlement route. Attracting entrepreneurs and investors will continue to be among the Netherlands’ strategic priorities even after 2026.
1) Netherlands Startup Visa
Designed for entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas who want to establish a technological or scalable model.
How Does It Work?
- 1st Year: With the startup visa, you establish your company in the Netherlands, develop your product, and conduct market tests.
- During this process, it is mandatory to collaborate with a “facilitator” (incubator / accelerator) recognized by the IND.
- Afterward: If the business model stabilizes and starts generating income, you transition to a classic self-employed residence.
- After 5 years of legal residence, if you meet the conditions, you can apply for permanent residence.
Main Conditions
- Innovative and scalable business plan
- Contract with a recognized facilitator
- Valid passport (at least 6 months validity is recommended)
- No criminal record
- Health insurance in the Netherlands (approximately €120–150 monthly)
- No age limit; spouse and children under 18 can be included with dependent residence permits.
This route is particularly attractive for technology-focused startups, SaaS, fintech, clean-tech, and deep-tech ventures.
2) Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) – Special Route for US Citizens
For those with a US passport, there is a special self-employment residence route under the friendship agreement between the Netherlands and the US. This route is only open to US citizens.
Basic Conditions
- Must be a US citizen
- Must establish a business in the Netherlands and own at least 25% of it
- Your company must conduct economic activities in the Netherlands (not passive investment, real business)
- Your working status must be self-employed (you cannot be a salaried employee with classic worker status)
- Must invest at least €4,500 in the business in the Netherlands
This route will remain valid after 2026. A proposed law aims to extend the required residence period for citizenship from 5 years to 10 years; however:
- It may come into effect after 2027.
- Even if it happens, it will not be applied retroactively (will not affect current residences).
- The 5-year residence rule for permanent residence seems unlikely to change.
Therefore, DAFT will continue to be a strong and predictable route for US citizens even after 2026.
Family, Education, and Other Residence Purposes
Besides work and entrepreneurship, there are other ways to settle regularly and long-term in the Netherlands.
Family Reunification (Spouse, Partner, Child)
If you have a family tie with a Dutch citizen, an EU citizen, or a person with a residence permit in the Netherlands, the following types of residence come into play:
- Family reunification as a spouse or registered partner
- Status of an unmarried partner living in a long-term, verifiable relationship
- Residence of children under 18 with you
In these types of permits, generally:
- A minimum income level is required from the sponsoring person (updated annually by the IND).
- In some cases, there may be basic level (A1) language and integration expectations for family members (especially in the future during the citizenship or permanent residence stage).
Education (Student Residence)
Coming to the Netherlands for a master’s, bachelor’s, or doctoral program is one of the smartest permanent settlement strategies for young people.
- First, you come to the country with a student residence permit.
- After completing your program, you have the opportunity to search for a job and transition to residence through the Orientation Year right.
- Most international students can complete the chain of work, permanent residence, and citizenship within 5–10 years.
Other Types of Residence (Summary)
- Au pair – limited duration permit focused on cultural exchange and childcare
- Guest researcher – through universities and institutes
- Medical treatment – with special conditions and duration limitations
- Self-employment (classic freelance / consultancy outside of startup) – with scoring and economic contribution assessment
Each of these has its own income thresholds, document sets, and renewal conditions; these are updated annually by the IND and should be checked on official pages before applying.
Transition from Temporary Residence to Permanent Residence and Citizenship
No matter which route you come from, if your goal is long-term settlement, you need to plan your timeline well.
Permanent Residence
- General rule: 5 years of uninterrupted and legal residence
- This 5 years can consist of a combination of statuses such as work, family, entrepreneurship, etc.
- Generally, A2 level Dutch language and citizenship/integration exam (civic integration) requirement is sought (with new regulations, the level may increase over time, so tracking is important).
Dutch Citizenship (Naturalisation)
- For most people, a total period of up to 10 years is practically involved (especially in entrepreneurship routes).
- After passing the language and integration exams and proving ties to the country, an application can be made.
- In many cases, it is expected that you renounce your current citizenship; there are some exceptions.
- Legislative changes discussed in routes like DAFT, particularly regarding extending the residence period for citizenship; therefore, it is essential to check the current legal framework when planning.
Post-2026 Period: Salary Thresholds, Border Systems, and Risks
Key points to pay attention to in the Dutch immigration regime after 2026:
- Annual salary updates: For many permit types such as highly skilled migrant, Blue Card, family reunification, the income thresholds announced by the IND each year will be critical.
- EES and ETIAS systems: The EU’s new border control regime makes biometric data such as fingerprints and facial scans mandatory. There will be more checks and possible waiting times at entries and exits.
- Tax regime and incentives: The scope of tax advantages like the 30% ruling is narrowing; conversely, different incentive packages may emerge to attract highly skilled talent and innovative entrepreneurs.
In summary: After 2026, the Netherlands will continue to attract talented professionals and entrepreneurs with both more digital and controlled borders and more targeted immigration policies; however, it is unrealistic to expect the process to be “self-evidently easy.”
How Corpenza Can Help?
The decision to move to the Netherlands is not just about “getting a visa”; it is a multi-layered process involving business models, tax planning, company structure, payroll, and employee posting. Professional support becomes critical, especially in the following situations:
- If you want to settle by establishing a company in the Netherlands (startup, self-employment, investment)
- If you plan to send personnel from your existing company to the Netherlands (posted worker, EOR, payroll solutions)
- If you want to establish a structure operating in multiple countries and optimize tax and social security
- If you want to move with your family and plan issues like income, housing, school in a secure framework.
As Corpenza, we provide end-to-end solutions in Europe and globally:
- Incorporation (setting up a BV in the Netherlands, designing multinational structures)
- Residence and work permit strategy (highly skilled migrant, entrepreneur, family reunification, etc.)
- International accounting and tax planning
- Payroll, EOR, and posted worker models for assigning personnel abroad
- Investment-based residence and citizenship scenarios
Our goal is not only to obtain a residence permit but to help you establish a sustainable, legal, and tax-optimized life and business arrangement in the Netherlands.
Conclusion: Settling in the Netherlands Requires Strategy
Moving to the Netherlands is quite possible with strong work experience, a good job offer, or a solid business plan. However, after 2026:
- Residence permits are more clearly defined,
- Salary and income thresholds are regularly increasing,
- Border controls are becoming more digital and strict
we will see a migration environment. This makes choosing the right route and planning well from the start more important than ever.
If your profile, business goals, or company structure align with your plan to move to the Netherlands, addressing the process as a whole in terms of both immigration law and business-financial aspects significantly increases the chances of long-term success.
Disclaimer
This article is prepared for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Dutch and EU immigration legislation, income thresholds, and procedures may change over time. The conditions of each application file are different; therefore, we recommend checking current official sources (especially IND and Dutch Government websites) and obtaining individual advice from experts when making decisions.
