# Moving to Netherlands — Official Task Guide > Maintained by Relokato (relokato.com/netherlands) > Generated: 2026-08-31 · Not legal or immigration advice --- ## Immigration & Visa ### Confirm DAFT eligibility (US citizens only) The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty is available exclusively to US passport holders and requires starting a self-employed business or profession in the Netherlands. No language test, no job offer… **Source:** IND — DAFT Requirements — ### Submit DAFT residence permit application to the IND Under the IND's current streamlined process you can apply before your business is fully set up. Processing typically runs 4–6 months. No business plan is required. **Source:** IND — Apply for a residence permit — ### Register your business with the KVK (Chamber of Commerce) and deposit €4,500 First-time applicants must register with KVK and deposit the required capital into a Dutch business bank account within 6 months of permit approval, with an opening balance statement from a… **Source:** KVK — Register a business — ### Arrange business liability insurance (AVB) Proof of liability insurance is a required IND document for the DAFT application. **Source:** IND — DAFT document checklist — ### Attend your IND appointment for the residence endorsement sticker Issued roughly 1–2 weeks after your first IND meeting. This sticker lets you work self-employed immediately — you cannot take regular employment on DAFT. **Source:** IND — Appointments — ## Financial ### Register at your gemeente (municipality) for your BSN Required within 5 days of arriving at your registered address if staying over 4 months. Bring passport, your IND residence permit sticker, and proof of address. You cannot bank, work, or insure… **Source:** Rijksoverheid — BRP & BSN registration — ### Open a Dutch business bank account Needs your BSN and KVK registration. ING, Rabobank, ABN AMRO, and bunq all serve expats and freelancers. **Source:** Rijksoverheid — Opening a bank account — ### Check whether the 30% ruling applies to your situation The 30% ruling generally applies to employees recruited from abroad by a Dutch employer, not to DAFT self-employed holders directly — but it can matter if you structure as a BV and pay yourself a… **Source:** Belastingdienst — 30%-regeling — ### Research tax obligations in your home country when becoming a Dutch resident Most countries require notification when you establish tax residency abroad. Consult a tax advisor familiar with both jurisdictions. **Source:** OECD — Tax Treaty Information — ## Post-Arrival ### Activate your DigiD The Dutch digital identity system, required for taxes, health insurance portals, and most government services online. Apply as soon as you have a BSN — the activation code arrives by post. **Source:** DigiD — ### Check driving licence exchange rules with the RDW Exchange eligibility depends on your nationality and how long you've held your licence — confirm current rules before assuming your foreign licence transfers directly. **Source:** RDW — Exchanging a foreign licence — ### File your first Dutch tax return (aangifte inkomstenbelasting) As a DAFT self-employed resident you'll file annually with the Belastingdienst; keep KVK bookkeeping current from day one. **Source:** Belastingdienst — Income tax — ### Apply to renew your DAFT residence permit (3 months before expiry) Your initial DAFT permit is valid for 2 years. File your renewal application up to 3 months before it expires — the IND recommends submitting as early as that window opens. The first renewal extends… **Source:** IND — Extend residence permit (self-employed) — --- ## About this guide Relokato maintains official-source relocation task lists for people moving abroad without corporate HR support. Every task in this guide links to the government or institutional source it came from. This is not legal, immigration, tax, or professional advice. Verify all requirements with official authorities or a licensed professional before acting. **Tools:** [Visa checker](https://relokato.com/tools/visa-checker) · [Cost calculator](https://relokato.com/tools/cost-calculator) © 2026 Goldmark Digital LLC d/b/a Relokato