Can Site Reliability Engineers Use DAFT? DAFT Eligible
Yes, site reliability engineers can use DAFT. The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) allows US citizens to start a business in the Netherlands, and SRE consulting is an excellent fit. You can help companies with infrastructure reliability, incident management, and observability from anywhere.
SRE skills are in high demand globally, and the consulting rates reflect that. The Netherlands has a strong tech sector with companies that need reliable infrastructure but can't always justify a full-time SRE hire. That's where you come in as a consultant.
DAFT Eligibility for Site Reliability Engineers
Status: DAFT Eligible
SRE consulting works well under DAFT. You're providing technical advisory and implementation services as an independent business.
Key points:
- Fully remote — infrastructure is cloud-based
- No special licensing required in the Netherlands
- Dutch market demand: High
- Typical income range: €70,000-€140,000/year
Business Structure Options
Recommended: Eenmanszaak (Sole Proprietorship)
Simplest structure. You are personally liable. Most DAFT applicants start here.
Most SREs on DAFT start with an Eenmanszaak. It's quick to set up, and since you're providing consulting services rather than operating infrastructure, liability is manageable.
Other Options
BV (Private Limited Company) Limited liability but requires €0.01 capital and notary. More complex setup. If you're billing high day rates (€800+) or working with enterprise clients who require it, a BV adds credibility.
Registration process:
- Apply for DAFT residence permit
- Register with KVK (Chamber of Commerce)
- Receive your KVK number and start operating
Setting Up Your SRE Consulting Business
Step 1: Define Your Services Clearly define what services you'll offer. For site reliability engineers, this typically includes:
- Infrastructure reliability assessments and SLO consulting
- Observability and monitoring architecture
- Incident management process design
- Cloud infrastructure optimization (AWS, GCP, Azure)
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: On-call expectations from clients Solution: Structure your consulting around advisory and implementation, not 24/7 on-call. Help teams build their own on-call processes. If you do take on-call work, the European time zone actually fills a gap for US companies who need coverage during their off-hours.
Challenge: Appearing as an employee rather than a consultant Solution: Work with multiple clients, set your own hours, and use your own tools. DAFT requires you to run a genuine business, not be a disguised employee. Offering project-based engagements (like reliability audits or migration projects) makes the distinction clear.
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: €70,000-€140,000/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 Site Reliability Engineer
International clients:
- Maintain existing US client relationships
- Use platforms like Toptal or specialized DevOps/SRE consulting networks
- Contribute to open-source reliability tools to build visibility
- Write about SRE practices — technical content marketing works well in this field
Dutch clients:
- Amsterdam is a major European tech hub with companies like Booking.com, Adyen, and TomTom
- Dutch startups scaling their infrastructure need SRE guidance
- Financial institutions in Amsterdam have strict reliability requirements
- Join local DevOps and SRE meetups in Amsterdam and Eindhoven
Best practice: Start DAFT with existing clients or committed projects. This provides income stability while you build your Dutch network. SRE consulting commands premium rates, so even part-time work can meet your income needs while you settle in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I work for US tech companies as an SRE 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 engineers.
Q: Do I need Dutch clients to qualify for DAFT as an SRE? A: No, DAFT does not require Dutch clients. Many SRE consultants on DAFT work primarily with US or international clients.
Q: Is there a risk that SRE consulting looks like employment? A: It can, if you're embedded full-time with one company. Mitigate this by working with multiple clients, setting your own schedule, and structuring engagements as projects with clear deliverables and end dates.
Related Professions
If site reliability engineer isn't quite right for your situation, consider these related professions that also work with 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.