EU/EEA/Swiss free movement — self-employed person

You are a citizen of the Union if you are a national of one of the member states of the European Union (EU). Nationals of the member states of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland have the same rights as citizens of the Union.

You do not need a residence permit to live in the Netherlands.

Staying in the Netherlands for longer than 3 months Certain requirements apply to your stay in the Netherlands.

You are economically active if you are an employee or entrepreneur.  To stay in the Netherlands for a longer period of time, you require to carry out genuine and effective work. This is the case in the following situations: Your income is at least 50% of the social assistance benefit amount applicable to you.

You work for at least 40% of the normal full working week. Is your income lower or do you work fewer hours than that? Then your work can still be considered as genuine and effective. The IND considers other aspects in your situation.

Your valid travel document (passport or ID card) issued by an EU/EEA country or Switzerland serves as proof of lawful residence in the Netherlands. You do not need to register with the IND.

Are you going to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 4 months? Then register yourself as soon as possible at your local town hall (in Dutch: gemeente ). Your details will then be included in the Personal Records Database (in Dutch: Basisregistratie Personen or BRP ).

Are you going to stay for a longer period of time? Take out a health insurance within 4 months of arriving in the Netherlands.

You are only required to register with the IND if you previously lived legally in the Netherlands as an EU citizen and the IND ended your residency.

You must apply for verification against EU law if you are a Union citizen family member but do not have the nationality of one of these countries.

You are the spouse or registered partner of the Union citizen.

You are the unmarried partner of the Union citizen. You have lived together for at least 6 continuous months before the application or decision.

You are the unmarried partner of the Union citizen. Or you have not yet lived together for 6 months. You have had a sustainable relationship together for at least 6 months before the the application or decision.

You are the child, (great)grandchild or adoptive child of the Union citizen. Or of the spouse or registered partner of the Union citizen. And of of the following requirements apply to you: You are younger than 21 years old, or You are 21 years old or older and you depend financially on the Union citizen, or on the spouse or registered partner of the Union citizen.

You are the parent or (great)grandparent of the Union citizen. Or of the spouse or registered partner of the Union citizen. You depend financially on the Union citizen, or on the spouse or registered partner of the Union citizen.

You are another family member of the Union citizen. Or of the spouse or registered partner of the Union citizen. For example an uncle, aunt or cousin. At least 1 of the following situations applies to you:

With the EU/EEA residence document, you are allowed to work. You do not need a work permit.

The residence document is valid for 5 years.

You have been living in the Netherlands continuously for 5 or more years at the time of application. During that time, you worked or you had enough money to live on.

Have you been staying in the Netherlands for 5 years? And have you fulfilled the residency conditions over that 5-year period? Then you have permanent residency. You will not lose your residency entitlement in the Netherlands, if you apply for social benefits.

You have been living in the Netherlands continuously for 3 years. You worked in the Netherlands in the final 12 months. You stopped working because you retired at pension age. Or you retired early.

You have lived in the Netherlands for over 2 years and were working until you became unable to work.

Your residence document is valid for 10 years and you can renew it every 10 years.