Kingdom of the Netherlands
Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur fees
DAFT costs US citizens about €1,650 in IND and KvK fees, plus €4,500 that must be maintained as Dutch business equity throughout the permit.
Headline total
€1,648.10
US citizen, arrival + IND + KvK (ignoring the €4,500 maintained equity)
Currency
EUR (Euro)
Last checked
20 April 2026
Itemised fees
| Fee component | Amount | Mandatory? |
|---|---|---|
MVV entry visa (if required) US citizens are MVV-exempt and can travel to the Netherlands to apply directly. | €192 | Optional |
Residence permit — DAFT self-employed IND fee for a DAFT residence permit based on the 1956 US-NL Treaty of Friendship. | €1,568 | Yes |
Residence permit — renewal (after 2 years) | €435 | Optional |
KvK business registration | €80.10 | Yes |
BSN registration (gemeente, typically free) | €0 | Yes |
Minimum business capital (must be maintained, not a fee) Not an IND fee — this is the treaty-required minimum equity in the Dutch business account at all times. | €4,500 | Yes |
Worked example
US citizen, arrival + IND + KvK (ignoring the €4,500 maintained equity) — €1,648.10
- €1,568 IND residence permit
- €80.10 KvK registration
- €0 BSN at the gemeente
Why fees change
IND fees rose on 1 January 2026 — the self-employed residence-permit fee moved from €1,519 to €1,568. The €4,500 treaty minimum has been stable since 1956 and is unlikely to change.
Primary source
IND — DAFT (Self-employed US citizens)
https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/self-employed-person
Frequently asked questions
How much does the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) entrepreneur cost in government fees?
DAFT costs US citizens about €1,650 in IND and KvK fees, plus €4,500 that must be maintained as Dutch business equity throughout the permit. The worked example assumes us citizen, arrival + ind + kvk (ignoring the €4,500 maintained equity), totalling €1,648.10. Fees for dependants, priority service, or higher-tier salary bands change the total — see the itemised table above.
Are these fees refundable if my application is refused?
Most application fees are non-refundable once the government begins processing. Some jurisdictions refund specific components (e.g. Canada's Right of Permanent Residence Fee refunds if refused; UK IHS refunds if the visa is refused). Check the linked primary source for the route you are applying to.
How often do these fees change?
IND fees rose on 1 January 2026 — the self-employed residence-permit fee moved from €1,519 to €1,568. The €4,500 treaty minimum has been stable since 1956 and is unlikely to change.
Do dependants pay the same fees as the primary applicant?
Dependant fee rules vary by route. Consult the linked source before including dependants in your application.