The DAFT Visa That Lets Americans Move to the Netherlands (And Why Most Get It Wrong)

Dreaming of ditching the U.S. rat race for cobblestone streets, bikes over traffic, and actual work-life balance?

Golden hour in Amsterdam — for many Americans, the DAFT visa makes scenes like this part of everyday life.

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Welcome to the Netherlands—and more specifically, to the DAFT visa, a little-known gem that allows Americans to live and work here without corporate sponsorship, job offers, or a European passport.

As an American who’s been through the move myself—and now helps others navigate it with clarity and confidence—I want to let you in on the truth about this so-called “easy visa.”

Because while the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) offers a wide-open door, too many people end up tripping on the threshold.

Why Americans Are Quietly Flocking to the Netherlands

More Americans are looking to exit the U.S.—whether it's political fatigue, healthcare chaos, rising costs, or a desire for a life with more meaning and less burnout.

And the Netherlands checks nearly every box:

✓ Ranked one of the happiest countries in the world

✓ Built for bikes, families, and fresh air

✓ Universal, affordable healthcare

✓ A culture that values down time over grind time

✓ A global hub with English widely spoken

But the real kicker? You don’t need to marry a Dutch person, land a tech job, or win the EU passport lottery.

Thanks to a decades-old treaty, the Netherlands actively welcomes American entrepreneurs—even if your business is still just an idea.

What Is the DAFT Visa in the Netherlands?

The Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) was signed in 1956 to promote mutual investment and entrepreneurship between the U.S. and the Netherlands. Today, it allows U.S. citizens to move to the Netherlands as self-employed individuals.

To qualify, you need to:

✓ Be a U.S. citizen

✓ Register a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK)

✓ Deposit at least €4,500 into a Dutch business bank account

✓ Submit a residence permit application to the IND (Dutch immigration)

It sounds easy. But in reality, each of these steps depends on the others, and one wrong move can derail your timeline, your housing, and your sense of stability.

When I moved to the Netherlands under DAFT, I did everything "right." I followed checklists, read official websites, and watched every expat video out there. I still made mistakes that cost me time, energy, and money.

Here’s what most Americans don’t see coming:

✓ Dutch banks won’t open your business account without a BSN (citizen service number)

✓ The municipality won’t give you a BSN unless you have a long-term rental contract

✓ You can’t register your address without insurance and proof of local registration

✓ KvK appointments are often booked out for weeks in advance

✓ IND processing timelines change, especially around holidays or system backlogs

✓ Just one delay can trigger another—and another

These aren’t just red tape annoyances—they’re domino effects that cost you weeks or months, especially if you’re trying to register kids for school, manage a job, or deal with temporary housing.

The Real Cost of “Free Advice”

It’s tempting to go the DIY route. Reddit, Facebook groups, and outdated blog posts make the DAFT visa sound like a cakewalk.

But here’s what you’re not seeing:

✓ Most success stories are outdated, incomplete, or oversimplified

✓ Many people do make it through—just not on the timeline they expected

✓ Free advice often skips over the crucial “in-between” steps where things fall apart

✓ What works for a 25-year-old solo freelancer may not work for a family of four with pets and a home to sell

We’ve helped Americans who were stuck after arriving, panicking mid-process, and trying to “patch together” the right steps. It’s doable—but infinitely harder than getting it right the first time.

So What Does It Actually Take to Move on DAFT?

It’s not about just submitting documents. It’s about navigating Dutch systems in the right order, at the right time, with the right expectations.

Here’s what our DAFT relocation support includes:

✓ Clear, step-by-step timeline customized to your situation

✓ Help selecting the right KvK business activity to avoid red flags

✓ Guidance on registering your address correctly to avoid BSN delays

✓ Support opening a Dutch business bank account (not all will accept Americans)

✓ Insights on what the IND actually expects from your DAFT submission

✓ Optional add-ons for pets, children, schooling, tax setup, and more

We don’t just help you “get a visa.” We help you land, integrate, and thrive in your new life here.

Why You Should Prepare Before You Land

Many Americans assume they’ll handle the details once they arrive. That’s where most get it wrong.

Once you’re in-country, you’re dealing with:

✓ Jet lag

✓ Temporary housing

✓ Paperwork in Dutch

✓ Phone calls you can’t make with a U.S. SIM

✓ Timelines that don’t match what you read online

And if one thing goes sideways (like your housing falling through or your bank refusing your application), the whole process can unravel.

When you plan ahead, with someone who’s done it before, you move with clarity and calm—not chaos.

Our DAFT Relocation Packages

We offer premium, step-by-step DAFT visa support for:

✓ Individuals & Couples

✓ Families with children

✓ LGBTQ+ Americans

✓ Entrepreneurs, freelancers, and remote workers

✓ First-time expats and experienced movers alike

We handle the real logistics—not just the paperwork. From pre-arrival planning to post-move support, we walk beside you until you're fully settled.

Why I Created the Service I Wish We Had

When my family and I relocated to the Netherlands under the DAFT visa, we hired a relocation agency. On paper, it seemed like the right move—professional help, insider knowledge, peace of mind. In reality, it was anything but.

They were friendly, but completely unprepared for the DAFT process, especially for Americans. They missed key steps, misunderstood Dutch bureaucracy, and gave us advice that created more delays than solutions. We discovered crucial things nearly a year into our move—things they should’ve told us in week one.

We were left scrambling through Facebook groups, translating government sites, and second-guessing every step. At one point, we even wondered if we’d made a mistake moving here at all.

That’s why I created Relocate with Lux—to be the resource we needed. A team that actually understands the American experience, knows the Dutch system inside and out, and can bridge that gap with clarity, honesty, and step-by-step support. We built the offer we wish existed when we made the leap.

Ready to Make the Move?

Don’t leave your relocation to chance. The DAFT visa for Americans moving to the Netherlands is a powerful opportunity—but only if you know how to use it.

If you're serious about relocating to the Netherlands:

✓ Explore our DAFT Visa Packages

✓ Book a Free Intro Call

✓ Get expert support and insider strategy, start to finish