Can Sales Consultants Use the DAFT Visa? Yes — Here's How
Yes, sales consultants can use DAFT. The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) lets US citizens start a business in the Netherlands, and sales consulting fits perfectly. You can advise companies on sales strategy, pipeline management, and revenue growth from anywhere in the country.
Sales consulting is a strong fit for DAFT because your work is knowledge-based and location-independent. Whether you're helping startups build their first sales team or advising enterprise companies on go-to-market strategy, you can serve clients across the US and Europe.
DAFT Eligibility for Sales Consultants
Status: DAFT Eligible
Sales consulting is well-suited for DAFT. You're offering advisory and strategic services, which are straightforward to deliver as a freelance business.
Key points:
- Remote work friendly - can serve clients worldwide
- No special licensing required in the Netherlands
- Dutch market demand: Moderate to High
- Typical income range: €50,000-€110,000/year
Business Structure Options
Recommended: Eenmanszaak (Sole Proprietorship)
Simplest structure. You are personally liable. Most DAFT applicants start here.
Most sales consultants on DAFT start with an Eenmanszaak. It keeps things simple while you establish yourself and build a client base in Europe.
Other Options
BV (Private Limited Company) Limited liability but requires €0.01 capital and notary. More complex setup. Could make sense if you're billing large contracts and want to limit personal risk.
Registration process:
- Apply for DAFT residence permit
- Register with KVK (Chamber of Commerce)
- Receive your KVK number and start operating
Setting Up Your Sales Consulting Business
Step 1: Define Your Services Clearly define what services you'll offer. For sales consultants, this typically includes:
- Sales strategy and process optimization
- Pipeline management and CRM consulting
- Sales team coaching and onboarding
- Go-to-market planning for new products or markets
Step 2: KVK Registration Register your business with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. You'll need:
- Valid residence permit (or proof of DAFT application)
- Proof of address in the Netherlands
- Description of your business activities
- €75 registration fee
Step 3: Tax Registration After KVK registration, you'll automatically be registered with the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority) for:
- Income tax
- VAT (BTW) - you may be exempt if under €20,000/year
Common Challenges & Solutions
Challenge: Proving your value remotely to new clients Solution: Build case studies from past results. Quantify revenue impact — sales leaders care about numbers, so show them. Offer a short paid diagnostic engagement to prove your approach works.
Challenge: Time zone differences with US clients Solution: Most sales consulting work is async-friendly. Schedule live calls in overlapping hours (morning in the US, afternoon/evening in the Netherlands). Many consultants find the time difference actually helps — you can prep and analyze while US teams sleep.
Challenge: VAT for international clients Solution: B2B services to non-EU clients are zero-rated for Dutch VAT. Keep good records.
Income & Tax Considerations
Expected income: €50,000-€110,000/year
Tax obligations:
- Dutch income tax (progressive rates, 36-49%)
- US tax filing required (as a US citizen)
- Foreign Earned Income Exclusion may apply
- Tax treaty between US and Netherlands prevents double taxation
VAT (BTW):
- Services to US/non-EU clients: 0% (reverse charge)
- Services to Dutch clients: 21% VAT
- Small business exemption if under €20,000/year
See our US Taxes While Living in Netherlands guide.
Finding Clients as a Sales Consultant
International clients:
- Maintain existing US client relationships
- Use LinkedIn heavily — it's the primary channel for B2B sales consulting
- Offer fractional VP of Sales services to startups
- Join communities like Pavilion or Revenue Collective
Dutch clients:
- The Netherlands has a strong startup ecosystem, especially in Amsterdam and Eindhoven
- Many Dutch companies are expanding into the US market and need American sales perspectives
- Network at events like TNW Conference and local SaaS meetups
Best practice: Start DAFT with existing clients or committed projects. This provides income stability while you build your European network. Your American perspective on sales methodology is genuinely valued by Dutch companies looking to enter the US market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I work for US companies as a sales consultant on DAFT? A: Yes, you can work as an independent contractor for US companies. You bill them as a Dutch business, which is a common setup for DAFT sales consultants.
Q: Do I need Dutch clients to qualify for DAFT as a sales consultant? A: No, DAFT does not require Dutch clients. Many sales consultants on DAFT work primarily with US or international clients.
Q: Is sales consulting different from being a sales rep on DAFT? A: Yes, and this matters. DAFT requires you to run your own business, not work as an employee. Consulting and advisory work fits perfectly. Being a quota-carrying sales rep for a single company looks more like employment, which could create issues.
Related Professions
If sales consultant isn't quite right for your situation, consider these related professions that also work with DAFT:
- Can Business Consultant Use DAFT?
- Can Marketing Consultant Use DAFT?
- Can Management Consultant Use DAFT?
Next Steps
- Evaluate your situation - Do you have clients? Income? A viable business plan?
- Read the complete DAFT guide - Understand all requirements
- Prepare your documents - Start the apostille process early
- Plan your timeline - Most people need 3-6 months to prepare
Digital Guide — $99
We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.