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Sunlit historic canal houses reflected in the water of the Damrak in Amsterdam, Netherlands
Netherlands · DAFT

🇳🇱 Netherlands Freelance / self-employed visa

Netherlands DAFT requirements: income, duration, taxes, health insurance — from official sources.

Photo: Javier M. / Unsplash

Minimum income
No fixed floor
Proof required
Initial duration
2 years
Renewable
Health insurance
Required (explicit)
Full visa period
Tax treatment
Standard resident taxation
Possible 30% ruling (if eligible)
Path to residence
Yes
Family can join
Government fee
≈ €423
Partially verified Last verified June 15, 2026 Reviewed by Henry van de Vorming
3 official sources cited →
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All requirements in detail

Official name
Residence permit for self-employed person under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT)
Visa type
Freelance / self-employed visa
Status
Active
Income basis
Savings accepted
Legal basis
EUR 4,500 business capital (sole proprietorship/partnership; EUR 11,250 for an NV)
Proof of funds
Required — ≈ €4,500
Working for local clients
Allowed
Path to citizenship
Via permanent residence
Where to apply
In country
Processing time
—
Tax residency trigger
183 days

Insurance requirement, verbatim intent: As a resident you are generally obliged to take out Dutch basic health insurance (zorgverzekering). No specific minimum coverage amount is stated for this permit.

Tax notes: Self-employed persons are taxed as standard Dutch residents on worldwide income once tax-resident. The 30% facility generally applies to incoming employees with scarce expertise, not ordinary self-employed entrepreneurs; eligibility for a DAFT entrepreneur is not established.

Insurance requirement

Insurance that meets the Netherlands DAFT requirements

Required (explicit), for: full visa period. These plans match the published requirement:

#1

Cigna Global Health Options – International Health Plans (Silver / Gold / Platinum)

Needs verification

Cigna Healthcare (Cigna Global Insurance Company Limited) · International health insurance

Full international health plan can serve as cover, but Dutch residents are generally obliged to take statutory basic zorgverzekering, so it may only suffice transitionally.

  • Three core tiers with annual maximums of $1M/€800k (Silver), $2M/€1.6M (Gold) and paid-in-full with no overall cap (Platinum)
  • No upper enrollment age (18+); insurer states it does not terminate policies based on age
  • Modular design: outpatient, evacuation & crisis assistance, health & wellbeing, vision & dental can be added; deductibles ($0-$10,000) and cost shares (0-30%) reduce the premium

from — /mo

View plans (opens in a new tab)
#2

Foyer Global Health (Essential / Special / Exclusive)

Needs verification

Foyer Global Health S.A. (Foyer Group, Luxembourg) · International health insurance

Comprehensive international health insurance could bridge cover, but the Netherlands mandates Dutch basic insurance for residents.

  • No overall annual or lifetime limit on core medical cover in all three plans; unlimited inpatient benefits confirmed on the official plan comparison
  • Insurer FAQ explicitly confirms cover in the home country as well as the country of expatriation; worldwide or worldwide-ex-USA regions
  • Luxembourg-regulated insurer (Foyer Group); 24/7 medical assistance, evacuation, teleconsultation and second medical opinion included in all plans

from €80 /mo

View plans (opens in a new tab)
Full insurance guide for the DAFT → How we earn (affiliate disclosure)

Beyond the visa

Netherlands — the rest of the move

The visa is step one. Here is the rest of what it takes to live here — each researched and sourced.

🩺 Health Insurance 🧾 Taxes Abroad 💶 Cost of Living 🛡️ Health System 🏡 Housing & Relocation 🏦 Banking & Money 📶 Connectivity & eSIM

Sources