Netherlands
The simplest path to Europe most Americans have never heard of. €4,500 and a business idea.
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty lets US citizens start a business in the Netherlands. No employer needed. No income threshold. No consulate appointment. We prepare your full IND application, ready for when you arrive.
Pathways
Netherlands visas we prepare
Why Netherlands
The Netherlands is a different proposition entirely. People don’t move here for the weather. They move for the infrastructure, the work-life balance, the cycling culture, and one of the most functional societies in Europe. Nearly everyone speaks fluent English. The Netherlands ranks first globally for English proficiency among non-native countries, which makes the transition smoother than almost anywhere else on the continent.
Amsterdam is the obvious draw, but The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht are all within 30 minutes by train and offer lower rents and their own distinct character. Eindhoven has a growing tech scene. The entire country is small enough that you’re never more than a couple of hours from anywhere.
Like any popular European capital, the housing market moves fast, especially in Amsterdam, where a two-bedroom runs €1,800 to 2,400 a month. Rotterdam and Utrecht are more accessible at €1,300 to 1,700. You won’t struggle to find a place, but you’ll need to act quickly and may need to prepay a few months upfront as a new arrival without local history. It’s not unlike apartment hunting in New York: competitive, but manageable if you’re prepared.
Healthcare is mandatory private insurance at €140 to 160 a month, and it’s excellent. Children under 18 are covered free under a parent’s policy. Everyone is covered, the system is efficient, and your GP acts as the gateway to specialists. Dental and mental health coverage varies by plan. It’s a different model than the US, but most expats find it simpler once they understand the GP referral system.
International schools are concentrated in Amsterdam, The Hague, and Eindhoven, ranging €8,000 to 20,000 a year. Public schools are free and teach in Dutch. Kids pick it up surprisingly fast, but it’s a real transition. Dutch society is famously direct, egalitarian, and structured. Americans who thrive here are the ones who embrace the directness and the bike.
“€4,500 and a business idea? That’s it?”
That’s what everyone says. Before the acronyms start.
BSN. KVK. IND. BV. ZZP. 30% ruling.
We turn the alphabet soup into a checklist.
Ready to start your Netherlands move?
Take the free eligibility assessment. It takes 5 minutes and tells you exactly which visa fits your situation.
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Impossible To Name is a document preparation platform, not a law firm. Nothing on this page is legal advice. Requirements are verified against official government sources and monitored for changes, but consulates retain discretion and can ask for more.