Residence Permit for Essential Start-up Personnel

Netherlands•Europe

Closed

Residence Permit for Essential Start-up Personnel

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

Closed to new applications — June 1, 2026

Pilot scheme ended 1 June 2026 after 4-year run (June 2021–June 2026). Employees already holding the permit may continue working at their startup for up to 1 year after abolition. No new applications accepted after 1 June 2026.

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day – 3 months

Application Fee

423 EUR

Stay Duration

Maximum of 3 years

Renewable

Dependents allowed

PR pathway

Job offer required

Remote work not required

Official Information

Living in Netherlands

Cost of Living

7% more than United States

Avg Salary€44,400

Quality of Life

214/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

For highly skilled non-EU nationals essential to an innovative, scalable startup.

The Netherlands Essential Start-up Personnel permit is a pilot scheme (June 2021–June 2026) for non-EU nationals essential to an innovative, scalable startup. Up to 5 foreign employees per startup qualify, provided they hold a specialist role and receive at least 1% equity or a shareholding worth at least EUR 65,000.

The permit is valid for up to 3 years and is renewable. Minimum gross salary is EUR 3,122/month (excl. 8% holiday pay). Spouses may work without restriction and family accompaniment is allowed. Holders may convert to permanent residence or the Highly Skilled Migrant permit.

This visa is ideal for senior tech specialists or executives joining an early-stage Dutch startup that cannot yet meet standard highly skilled migrant salary thresholds.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

Type II — Permanent Regular Residence Permit (Type II)

Netherlands

Type II — Permanent Regular Residence Permit (Type II)

ValidityIndefinite

Processing1 day – 6 months

View Visa Details

Netherlands

EU Long-Term Residence Permit

Validity5 years

Processing1 day – 6 months

View Visa Details

Netherlands

Highly Skilled Migrant Permit

Validity5 years

Processing2 weeks – 3 months

View Visa Details

Netherlands

Self-Employment Visa

Validity2 years

Processing1–3 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Startup must be innovative and scalable

Maximum of 15 employees in startup

Maximum of 5 foreign employees per startup can obtain this permit

Employee must be an expert in a special field that the startup needs

Employee must have an employment contract with the startup

Employee must receive at least 1% share or shareholding with a financial value of at least €65,000 in the company

Meet income requirements

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

37,464 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Employment contract

Proof of startup innovation/scalability

Proof of share ownership

Proof of income

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Path to permanent residency
Allows family accompaniment

Worth Knowing

Strict startup eligibility criteria
Income requirements must be maintained
Startup not meeting innovation criteria
Failure to meet income threshold

Application Process

Employer or employee submits application to IND (by post or at a Dutch representation abroad)

Pay fees

IND asks RVO for advice

Biometrics collection

Collect residence permit

Application Forms

7571	—
7571 Application for the purpose of residence of 'employment as essential start-up personnel'	—
7571	Fill online
7570	—
7570 Application for the purpose of residence 'employment as essential start-up personnel' (employer submission)	—
7570	Fill online

Verified Claims (29)

Last verified May 31, 2026

Application Steps

Employer or employee submits application to IND (by post or at a Dutch representation abroad); Pay f…

ind.nl

Dependent Visa

Dependent visa available for spouse and children

ind.nl

Discontinued

true

kroesadvocaten.nl

Discontinued Note

Pilot scheme ended 1 June 2026 after 4-year run (June 2021–June 2026). Employees already holding the…

kroesadvocaten.nl

Fee Breakdown

Application fee: 423 EUR

jobbatical.com

Fees

EUR 423

jobbatical.com

Forms

—

ind.nl

Forms · 7570 · description

Application for the purpose of residence 'employment as essential start-up personnel' (employer subm…

ind.nl

Official Information

Living in Netherlands

Cost of Living

7% more than United States

Avg Salary€44,400

Quality of Life

214/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

For highly skilled non-EU nationals essential to an innovative, scalable startup.

This visa is ideal for senior tech specialists or executives joining an early-stage Dutch startup that cannot yet meet standard highly skilled migrant salary thresholds.

Requirements

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Startup must be innovative and scalable

Maximum of 15 employees in startup

Maximum of 5 foreign employees per startup can obtain this permit

Employee must be an expert in a special field that the startup needs

Employee must have an employment contract with the startup

Employee must receive at least 1% share or shareholding with a financial value of at least €65,000 in the company

Meet income requirements

KEY CRITERIA

Min. Income

37,464 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Employment contract

Proof of startup innovation/scalability

Proof of share ownership

Proof of income