Netherlands visa guide: all visa and residence types

Holidays in the Netherlands of up to 90 days need a Schengen visa if your nationality is visa-required: you fill in the Dutch online form, book an appointment at the Dutch mission responsible for your place of residence or its service provider, and show EUR 55 per day.

To stay with relatives or friends in the Netherlands, apply for a Schengen visa with the family-and-friends checklist.

Patients travelling to the Netherlands for treatment of up to 90 days apply for a Schengen visa, if their nationality needs one, with the medical checklist, showing the Dutch hospital's confirmation and how the costs are covered.

Participants in political, academic, cultural, sporting or religious events and in short study programmes of up to 90 days apply for a Schengen visa, if their nationality needs one, with the checklist for study or events, including the organiser's invitation.

Business and official visits to the Netherlands of up to 90 days require a Schengen visa if your nationality is visa-required, with the business checklist: an invitation from the Dutch organisation and proof of your employment or company in your country of residence.

The start-up permit gives innovative founders one year to build their company in the Netherlands with the help of an experienced facilitator approved by RVO.

Entrepreneurs who want to run a business in the Netherlands need a self-employed permit.

Students admitted to a Dutch university or university of applied sciences do not apply themselves: the institution, a recognised sponsor, applies to the IND for the MVV and residence permit.

Researchers with a hosting agreement from a research institution recognised by the IND receive a residence permit under the EU directive.

Young people aged 18 to 25 can spend one year as an au pair with a Dutch host family.

The highly skilled migrant scheme lets recognised sponsors hire foreign professionals quickly.

The European Blue Card is open to highly qualified employees with a higher-education qualification and a job with a gross monthly salary of at least EUR 5,942 in 2026, or EUR 4,754 under the reduced criterion.

Recent graduates of Dutch institutions, or of top-200 universities abroad, can spend one year in the Netherlands looking for work, within three years of graduating.

Managers, specialists and trainees employed by a company outside the EU for at least three months can be transferred to its Dutch entity with an ICT permit: up to three years for managers and specialists, one year for trainees.

The Dutch working holiday permit is open only to nationals of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, Uruguay and South Korea, aged 18 to 30.

Partners of Dutch citizens or of foreigners living in the Netherlands can join them if both are at least 21, the sponsor meets the income requirement (EUR 2,337 a month in the second half of 2026) and the partner passes the civic integration exam abroad.

After five consecutive years with a valid Dutch residence permit you can apply for permanent residence if you now hold a permit for a non-temporary purpose, meet the income requirement and have passed the civic integration exam at A2 level.