Netherlands Golden Visa (Abolished)

What the program offered

From October 2013, the Netherlands’ admission scheme for foreign investors gave a residence permit to investors who put at least €1,250,000 into the Dutch economy:

• directly into a Dutch company, in which case the investment had to add value by meeting at least two of three criteria: creating at least 10 jobs within five years, contributing to innovation, or bringing non-financial value such as expertise and networks; or
• into an approved participation or seed fund, with no separate added-value test.

The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) assessed the investment, with money laundering checks through the Financial Intelligence Unit, and the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) issued the permit. The first permit was valid for three years and could be extended for five years. Family members could join the investor and work freely, and the investor had to stay in the Netherlands for at least four months in every 12. After five years investors could apply for permanent residence or naturalisation.

Why it was abolished

The scheme was meant to improve the business climate and funding for Dutch start-ups, but it never became popular. According to the IND, fewer than 10 permits a year were granted under it in recent years. The government abolished it on 17 April 2024.

What happens to existing permit holders?

Applications filed before 17 April 2024 are still processed. Holders can extend an existing permit, provided they meet the requirements that applied before the scheme was abolished.

Sources

• IND – Admission scheme for foreign investors abolished
• RVO – Admission scheme for foreign investors
• Fragomen – The Netherlands: Foreign investor scheme abolished
• Best Citizenships – Netherlands golden visa