The short version
- Netherlands grants a longer initial stay (24 months vs 12), and it is renewable.
- Only Netherlands offers a direct path to permanent residence on this permit.
- Tax treatment differs: Latvia — special tax regime; Netherlands — standard resident taxation. Tax outcomes depend heavily on personal circumstances.
| Criteria | Latvia DNV | Netherlands DAFT |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income / month | €4,213 | No fixed threshold |
| Income basis | Mixed (salary, freelance or savings) | Savings accepted |
| Initial duration | 1 year | 2 years (better) |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum total stay | 2 years | No fixed limit |
| Path to permanent residence | No | Yes (better) |
| Path to citizenship | No | Via permanent residence |
| Family inclusion | Yes | Yes |
| Working for local clients | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Tax treatment | Special tax regime (Optional 15% PIT for OECD digital-nomad-visa holders) | Standard resident taxation (Possible 30% ruling (if eligible)) |
| Health insurance | Required (explicit), min. €42,600 | Required (explicit) |
| Insurance duration required | Full visa period | Full visa period |
| Application fee | ≈ €90 (better) | ≈ €423 |
| Where to apply | Embassy / consulate | In country |
| Processing time | — | — |
Green values mark the objectively better number in that row.
Full guide
Latvia DNV →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Full guide
Netherlands DAFT →
Requirements, application steps, insurance and sources.
Don't forget insurance
Both programs have their own health-insurance rules — we match plans against each one's published requirement, with the evidence shown.
Sources
- Government Obtaining a long-stay visa for remote work — Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government PMLP — State fees for issuance of a visa (category D: EUR 90) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Residence permit self-employed person | IND (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government IND form 7524 — self-employed (DAFT code 453 / Dutch-Japanese treaty 510) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15
- Government Fees — IND (self-employed incl. DAFT: EUR 423) (opens in a new tab) accessed 2026-06-15