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Essential start-up personnel residence permit

NetherlandsTalent and merit

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Get your free results Read the five questions ↓

Which exceptional-talent, academic, scientific, artistic, technological, cultural or other profiles does the pathway target?

Employees who are experts in a special field that an innovative start-up with scalable activities needs in its start-up stage; the start-up has at most 15 employees and may apply for at most 5 foreign employees. It is a pilot running from 1 June 2021 to 1 June 2028.

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What achievements, recognition, awards, publications, reputation or other evidence establishes the required level?

The level is established through the employment terms: the employee meets the income requirement (required amount 2026: gross income €3,122.00 per month without holiday allowance) and receives employee participation of at least a 1% share or a shareholding with a financial value of at least €65.000 within up to 3 years after the contract started.

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Limits of the record
  • No awards, publications or similar recognition are mentioned; the employee's expertise is assessed via RVO advice.

Is an employer, nominator, recognised body, peer group or government endorsement required?

Employment by the start-up is required. The IND asks the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) for advice on the innovative start-up nature of the company, the major role the employee will have and whether the employee will get employee participation.

See recorded sources
  • https://ind.nl/en/residence-permits/work/residence-permit-for-essential-start-up-personnel
    The IND will ask the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (in Dutch: Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland or RVO) for advice. RVO gives advice on: The start-up and innovative nature of the company. This advice is valid for 3 years from the start date of the first employee receiving a residence permit for essential start-up personnel. Which major role the employee will have at the company. And whether the employee will get an employee participation scheme.

Can the holder change employer, work independently, establish a business or conduct other professional activity? What is the family position?

No work permit (TWV) is needed for the work at the start-up; if the employee wants to work at another company, that employer needs a TWV. The official source does not state whether the holder may work independently or establish a business, or the family position.

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Limits of the record
  • Family position is not stated on this page.

What duration, renewal and accelerated or normal longer-term residence pathway is officially stated?

Validity depends on the employment contract, maximum 3 years; it can be extended (maximum 3 years per extension, depending on the contract). If the pilot ends or the employee leaves the start-up, a different residence permit may be possible. After 5 years in the Netherlands the employee can apply for a permanent residence permit.

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These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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