DAFT Business Plan Examples, Templates, and Samples
When we were writing our business plan for the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), we desperately wanted to see what an approved plan actually looked like. Searching online turned up generic business plan templates designed for bank loans, which was way more than what the IND expects.
So here's what we wish we'd had: real examples of the structure and content that worked for actual DAFT applicants.
The Basic Template
Every DAFT business plan should follow roughly this structure. You can adjust the order, but these sections cover what the IND wants to see.
1. Cover Page
- Business name
- Your full name
- Date
- "Business Plan for DAFT Residence Permit Application"
2. Executive Summary (half page) A brief overview of your business, what you do, and your qualifications.
3. Business Description (1 page) What you do, how you do it, and where you'll operate from.
4. Market Analysis (half to 1 page) Who your customers are and why they need your services.
5. Services and Pricing (half page) What you offer and what you charge.
6. Financial Projections (1 page) First-year revenue estimate and monthly expense breakdown.
7. Marketing Strategy (half page) How you'll find and retain clients.
Total: 4-6 pages. That's genuinely all you need.
Example 1: Freelance Web Developer
Here's a condensed version of what a successful business plan looks like for a common DAFT profession.
Executive Summary: "Jane Smith is a freelance web developer with 8 years of experience building websites for small businesses. She will operate as an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) from her home in Rotterdam, providing website design, development, and maintenance services to Dutch and international clients."
Business Description: "The business offers three core services: custom website development (WordPress and React), website redesign for existing businesses, and monthly website maintenance packages. All work is performed remotely from a home office. Jane has three existing US-based clients who will continue working with her after relocation, providing an immediate revenue base."
Services and Pricing:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Custom website (5-10 pages) | €3,000-6,000 |
| Website redesign | €2,000-4,000 |
| Monthly maintenance | €150-300/month |
| Hourly development | €85/hour |
Year 1 Financial Projection:
| Category | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue (conservative) | €3,500 | €42,000 |
| Health insurance | -€130 | -€1,560 |
| Bookkeeper | -€150 | -€1,800 |
| Software/tools | -€75 | -€900 |
| Business insurance | -€60 | -€720 |
| Marketing | -€100 | -€1,200 |
| Net income | €2,985 | €35,820 |
Notice how straightforward this is. No fancy charts or complex modeling. Just honest numbers.
Example 2: Marketing Consultant
Executive Summary: "John Doe is a marketing consultant specializing in digital marketing strategy for B2B technology companies. With 12 years of experience at US marketing agencies and in-house marketing roles, he will provide strategic consulting, campaign management, and marketing auditing services to companies in the Netherlands and EU."
Market Analysis: "The Netherlands is home to over 3,000 technology companies, many of which operate in English and sell internationally. These companies regularly engage external marketing consultants for strategic projects, campaign launches, and auditing existing marketing efforts. The average day rate for senior marketing consultants in the Netherlands ranges from €800-1,200."
Services and Pricing:
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Marketing strategy project | €5,000-10,000 |
| Monthly retainer (part-time) | €2,500-4,000/month |
| Marketing audit | €3,000-5,000 |
| Day rate (on-site) | €900/day |
Marketing Strategy: "Client acquisition will focus on LinkedIn networking and content publishing, attendance at Dutch marketing events (DMEXCO, Emerce), direct outreach to technology companies, and referrals from existing professional network. Two US-based clients have confirmed they will continue engaging services post-relocation."
Example 3: Online Business (E-commerce)
Executive Summary: "Sarah Johnson operates an online store selling handmade jewelry to customers in the US and Europe. With 4 years of experience running the business from the US (generating $45,000 annual revenue), she will relocate operations to the Netherlands to access the European market more efficiently."
Business Description: "The business designs, produces, and sells handmade sterling silver jewelry through a Shopify-based online store and Etsy marketplace. All production is done in-house. Relocation to the Netherlands provides access to European suppliers, lower shipping costs for EU customers, and proximity to European craft markets."
Financial Projections:
| Category | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue (existing + growth) | €4,200 | €50,400 |
| Materials/supplies | -€800 | -€9,600 |
| Shipping/packaging | -€300 | -€3,600 |
| Platform fees | -€200 | -€2,400 |
| Health insurance | -€130 | -€1,560 |
| Bookkeeper | -€150 | -€1,800 |
| Business insurance | -€60 | -€720 |
| Net income | €2,560 | €30,720 |
Pro Tip: If you already run a business in the US, include your actual revenue history. Real numbers from an existing business are the strongest evidence you can provide.
What These Examples Have in Common
Look at what all three examples share:
Specificity. They name exact services and exact prices. Not "various consulting services at competitive rates."
Conservative projections. None of these project explosive growth. The IND would rather see realistic €40,000 than optimistic €200,000.
Existing income sources. All three mention some form of existing client base or revenue. If you have this, use it.
Low overhead. DAFT businesses typically operate lean. Home office, minimal employees, low fixed costs. This is a feature, not a bug.
Clear pricing structure. Whether hourly, project-based, or product-based, each business has defined what they charge. For guidance on setting prices, see our pricing guide for the Dutch market.
Adapting the Template to Your Business
To use these examples:
- Replace the details with your own business information
- Research your market rates — look at Dutch freelance platforms and competitor websites for real pricing data
- Calculate your actual expenses — health insurance (
€120-150/month), bookkeeper (€100-200/month), and the items specific to your business - Be honest about revenue — if you're starting from zero, say so and explain your plan to reach profitability
Don't copy these examples word for word. The IND reviews many DAFT applications, and generic templates are obvious. Your business plan should sound like you wrote it about your actual business.
For a detailed walkthrough of each section, see our guide on how to write a DAFT business plan. Once your plan is ready, the next step is KVK registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use one of these examples as-is? A: Don't. The IND reviews many DAFT applications, and copied business plans are noticeable. Use these as structural guides and fill in your own details, pricing, and experience.
Q: What format should I submit the business plan in? A: PDF is standard. Clean formatting, professional but not flashy. No need for custom graphics or expensive design. A well-organized Word document exported to PDF works perfectly.
Q: My business doesn't fit any of these examples. Is that a problem? A: Not at all. DAFT covers a wide range of businesses. Follow the same structure—overview, market, pricing, financials, marketing—and adapt it to your specific business. See our business ideas guide for more inspiration.
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We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.