How to Move to Amsterdam from the US: Full DAFT Guide
We moved from the US to Amsterdam via the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT). It took 7 months from decision to holding our residence permits.
Here's the complete process.
Can You Move to Amsterdam?
If you're a US citizen, you have options:
- DAFT - Start a business, invest €4,500, get residence permit
- Skilled Worker Visa - Dutch company sponsors you
- Student Visa - Enroll in Dutch university
We chose DAFT because it doesn't require a job offer, university acceptance, or special skills. You need €4,500 and a business idea. Learn more in our complete DAFT guide.
The Process: 8 Steps
1. Verify You Qualify
- US citizen with valid passport
- Can start/operate a business
- Have €4,500 (~$4,900)
- Clean criminal record
2. Develop Your Business Plan
What works: freelance consulting, online services, e-commerce, web design, creative services.
We run a digital marketing consultancy. Nothing fancy.
3. Save Money
We spent $18,400 total. Budget $15,000-20,000. See our detailed cost breakdown.
4. Get Documents Ready
- Valid US passport
- Birth certificate with apostille
- FBI background check with apostille (start this FIRST - takes 4-6 weeks)
- Business plan
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance
5. Register Business in Netherlands
After arriving, register with KVK (Chamber of Commerce). Free, takes 30 minutes.
6. Apply for Residence Permit
Submit to IND with all apostilled documents, KVK registration, and bank statement showing €4,500. Processing: 2-4 months.
7. Find Housing
The hardest part. Budget 3-4 weeks of temporary housing. We looked at 15 apartments and got rejected 7 times before finding our place. See our apartment finding guide and how to avoid rental scams.
8. Get Your BSN
Register at gemeente (municipality) after you have permanent address. Your BSN unlocks everything: bank account, doctor, taxes.
Real Timeline
| Phase | Time |
|---|---|
| Research & decision | 2-3 months |
| Document gathering | 1-2 months |
| Finding housing | 2-4 weeks |
| IND processing | 2-4 months |
| Total | 6-9 months |
Real Costs
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| DAFT investment | $4,900 |
| Application fees & documents | $630 |
| Flights | $1,200 |
| Rent + deposit | $4,200 |
| Shipping | $1,800 |
| Temporary housing | $1,400 |
| Setup costs | $2,000 |
| Emergency buffer | $2,270 |
| Total | $18,400 |
First Week Checklist
Day 1-2: Get SIM card, OV-chipkaart for transport, buy basics
Day 3-4: Book KVK appointment
Week 2: Register business, open business bank account, deposit €4,500
Week 3: Submit IND application
Common Mistakes
- Underestimating costs - We budgeted $15,000, spent $18,400
- Waiting on FBI check - Start it immediately (takes longest)
- Bringing too much stuff - Dutch apartments are small
- Assuming you can work immediately - Wait for residence permit approval
Is It Worth It?
What's better: Healthcare, work-life balance, public transport, walkable cities, 25+ days vacation
What's harder: Bureaucracy, housing market, making Dutch friends, gray weather
It's not perfect. But it's one of the best decisions we ever made.
Want more detail? Our complete guide covers everything step by step. Get the Guide →
Digital Guide — $99
Based on our 2023 experience. Immigration rules change—verify with IND.