Netherlands Citizenship by Investment
Investing in the Netherlands
- minimum investment amount: the investment in a Dutch company or fund needs to be of at least 1,250,000 euros and there is no possibility of investing in real estate for private purposes.
- valuable investment: the business or fund investment needs to be relevant to the Dutch economy; for this purpose, it will be evaluated by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency based on a points system.
- the capital: the invested capital needs to be deposited into a bank account of a Dutch bank or a foreign bank branch located in the Netherlands; moreover, it needs to have been produced via legitimate means.
- applicant’s situation: the applicant needs to comply with the requirements for not having previously been in the country illegally and/or not having offered incorrect information in a previous residence permit application.
If you are interested in obtaining Netherlands citizenship, our team is at your disposal.
- the creation of new jobs, at least 10 jobs in the 5 years following the investment.
- the innovative ideas of the company such as patents or investments in technological and non-technological ideas and innovations.
- the non-financial added value of the company.
Conditions for residency by investment in the Netherlands
Foreign startups residence permit
Another route to obtain Netherlands citizenship is through investment for a foreign startup, under which the applicant can also receive a residence permit which, when renewed accordingly, can allow the applicant to apply for citizenship in time.
Finding a facilitator is a key step for the startup option and this means that the applicant will be asked to choose a facilitator from the list of approved ones. The conditions for such as recognized legal entity are the following:
- must have experience in guiding startups (innovative ones);
- must have financial stability, no negative equity and must under no circumstances be bankrupt;
- he cannot be a family member up to the third degree for the applying individual, even if they have obtained Netherlands citizenship;
- the facilitator cannot have a majority interest in the startup company.
A number of companies are already recognized facilitators and interested entrepreneurs can reach out to our lawyers for a complete list of these businesses. The key role of the facilitator is to provide the startup founder with support according to his specific needs. For example, he can assist with marketing services or operational management just as well as with other types of services. Companies that fulfill this role help startups scale up by pooling needed resources and/or bringing together communities that share complementary goals. They can assist several startups and they support determined entrepreneurs who are willing to bring their innovative business to the Netherlands.
After finding a proper facilitator, the individual who applies for the startup residence permit and who may ultimately be interested in obtaining Netherlands citizenship will need to qualify for the permit according to the level of innovation presented by the proposed startup. Apart from the criteria to work with a facilitator, the others are:
- the proposed service or product is innovative;
- the entrepreneur has a step-by-step plan to develop the business;
- the entrepreneur and his facilitator are registered with the Trade Register;
- the entrepreneur must prove that he has sufficient financial means to reside in the Netherlands for one year (separate from the financial requirements for the startup, the funds provided for this purpose must meet the individual needs for living in the country for one year).
Our team of experts in the Netherlands can give you detailed information on the qualification criteria for startups. The goal of the program that awards residence permits for foreign startups is to provide that startup with the support it needs to develop into a mature company.
Residing in the country after the first year under the startup residence permit scheme is subject to being able to apply for the self-employed scheme. Essentially, this means that the applicant will need to meet the criteria for two different schemes, one year apart. By doing this, he will ensure that he has spent enough time in the country (the required five years) in order to be able to apply for Netherlands citizenship.
The criteria for the self-employed scheme are largely the same as those for the start-up residence permit, in the sense that the most important ones are related to working with a facilitator, having an innovative product, having a step-by-step plan for the business, being registered with the Trade Register and having sufficient means to continue to reside in the Netherlands (for this purpose there is no time limit, the applicant will need to show that he has the means to reside and live in the country as needed). The entrepreneur is not permitted to rely on welfare benefits or other public funds benefits that may apply in the Netherlands. A bank statement may be provided as proof to show that the applicant has sufficient funds.
Further clarifications on the role of the start-up entrepreneur may be useful for those who wish to apply for this type of permit. A condition is for the entrepreneur to play an active role in the company – he cannot simply be an uninvolved shareholder. Moreover, the step-by-step plan that is required both for the start-up residence permit and the self-employed permit for entrepreneurs needs to contain information on the structure of the company, the roles, and tasks of the members, the personnel, and the purpose of the company. Information on the chosen legal form will also be provided.
If the applicant qualifies for the investor or the startup-residence permit, and after that for the self-employed residence permit, this can be a suitable route to apply for Netherlands citizenship at the end of the minimum period lived in the country.
Dual Citizenship in the Netherlands
The dual citizenship in the Netherlands is not permitted and it is good to know that persons who own foreign citizenship and live abroad for more than ten years can lose the Dutch right of abode. The Netherlands does not accept the dual nationality, which is why overseas residents are obliged to give up their original citizenship if they chose to live in the country and to adopt a Dutch nationality. Exceptions are permitted under certain circumstances. Our specialists in immigration in the Netherlands are able to offer you details and important information about dual citizenship and the conditions implied. If you want to immigrate to the Netherlands you can rely on our representatives.
Who is eligible for dual citizenship in the Netherlands?
According to the Dutch immigration rules and regulations, any individual who applies for citizenship in the Netherlands needs to give up the original one. But there are certain cases where the dual citizenship in the Netherlands is permitted and here we mention the most important ones:
• individuals who are married to a citizen in the Netherlands;
• refugees may keep the original citizenship;
• people with financial problems in the home country;
• individuals who might lose inheritance rights.
Citizens who do not enter in the categories mentioned above need to abandon the original citizenship, in order to receive Dutch citizenship. There are individuals who do not want to acquire citizenship in the Netherlands by giving up the original one. In this case, they will need to apply for permanent residence which grants the indefinite stay in the Netherlands, but with the condition to renew the permit once in five years.
Our immigration lawyer in the Netherlands can help you with the entire procedure related to the citizenship you wish to obtain. Any individual interested in immigration in the Netherlands may solicit help and guidance from our representatives.
The rights that come with the Dutch citizenship
Citizens have the right to vote, to enter the Netherlands without any restrictions, to join the army and to receive the Dutch passport. Besides that, the children will automatically receive the same citizenship, the family being capable to freely travel in the EU (European Union) countries. Individuals with citizenship can receive free medical aid and their children can attend normal schools where education is granted and there are no costs.
The Naturalisation Ceremony in the Netherlands
A naturalization ceremony is a festive event held for the people who have obtained citizenship in the Netherlands. It is celebrated every year on December 15th and newcomers receive a special declaration stating that they have become Dutch citizens. Attending the naturalization ceremony in the Netherlands is the final step in acquiring Dutch nationality. Our immigration lawyer in the Netherlands is able to offer you details about the naturalization ceremony.
This festive event is organized by the municipality where you reside and attending the ceremony is compulsory for every individual who wants to become a Dutch citizen. If your child was 16 years or older at the time you submitted the naturalization application, then he/she also has to attend the ceremony. During the naturalization ceremony in the Netherlands you take a declaration of solidarity and accept that the laws of the Dutch Kingdom also apply to you. You cannot obtain Dutch citizenship unless you make the declaration of solidarity. An invitation to the next ceremony will be handed to you if you cannot attend the first one. If you fail to participate at a naturalization ceremony within 1 year following the decision, you have to submit another naturalization application.
Don`t hesitate to contact our experts in immigration in the Netherlands who can tell you how to prepare for the naturalization ceremony.