Netherlands Start-up Personnel
Netherlands
Residency
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See if you're a match →This pilot route helps innovative Dutch start-ups hire essential foreign employees.
- Applicant
- Essential employee of a Dutch start-up
- Company
- Innovative and scalable start-up, usually with no more than 15 employees
- Participation
- Employee participation is normally required
- Pilot
- Current pilot runs through 1 June 2028
Summary
The Netherlands essential start-up personnel permit is a pilot route for foreign employees whose expertise is important to an innovative Dutch start-up.
It is not the founder start-up visa. It is for employees. The Dutch start-up must meet innovation and scale expectations, and the employee generally needs a meaningful participation interest, such as shares, options, or depositary receipts.
Eligibility
You may be a fit if:
- You are not Dutch and are not using EU, EEA, or Swiss free-movement rights.
- An innovative Dutch start-up wants to hire you.
- Your expertise is essential to the start-up.
- The start-up is small enough and young enough to fit the pilot rules.
- The role meets income requirements.
- You receive a qualifying participation interest or alternative qualifying value.
- The start-up can support the application and RVO review.
What This Route Allows
This route can allow you to live in the Netherlands while working for the Dutch start-up in the approved role.
What This Route Is Not
This is not a founder visa. Founders should look at the Dutch start-up visa or self-employed routes.
It is also not a general tech-worker route. It depends on the start-up, the role, and the participation structure.
Next Steps
- Confirm the start-up is Dutch, innovative, scalable, and within the pilot limits.
- Confirm the role is essential to the company.
- Review the salary and participation structure.
- Gather employment, company, cap table, participation, and role documents.
- Apply with the Dutch start-up as sponsor.