Google Answers Logo
View Question
 
Q: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty ( Answered 4 out of 5 stars,   2 Comments )
Question  
Subject: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Category: Relationships and Society > Law
Asked by: amsterdam-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 19 Apr 2002 08:49 PDT
Expires: 19 May 2002 08:49 PDT
Question ID: 2061
Under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, I understand that there are special 
conditions applying to USA citizens pursuing a profession.  What professions 
are included and how does an American go about applying for a permit under this 
treaty provision?
Answer  
Subject: Re: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
Answered By: waggawa-ga on 19 Apr 2002 10:29 PDT
Rated:4 out of 5 stars
 
US citizens hoping to set up a business in the Netherlands can apply for a work 
permit and residence permit under the terms of the Dutch-American Friendship 
Treaty. Such individuals must spend at least 4500 to 11,250 Euros (depending on 
the type of company) of their own capital to set up their own business in 
Holland. They can thus bypass much of the standard redtape and requirements of 
other non-EU citizens. For example, US entrepreneurs in the Netherlands will 
NOT have to prove that their business serves essential Dutch cultural or 
economic interest. 

More details on these requiremetns are available in a PDF document covering 
different circumstances for studying and working in the Netherlands (document 
dated December 2001).
www.everaert.nl/body/ILB%202001-3%20pagina%201-4.pdf 
see the Section entitled “The American Dream' in the Netherlands” by Sevil 
Karadag.

In it, Sevil states:
"The Friendship Treaty states three prerequisites for granting entry and 
residency to the mutual subjects: to carry out commerce, to conduct a business 
in which substantial capital has been invested or will be invested and for 
other purposes, such as accompanying or following family members.

"Conditions for entry of an American entrepreneur
"The American entrepreneur who intends to enter on the grounds of the 
Friendship Treaty must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible 
for a residence permit:
* He must be an entrepreneur active in one of the legal Dutch company entities, 
for example, a sole proprietorship or a partnership. He is not allowed to carry 
out a "free profession", such as practicing law or medicine. He must engage in 
commercial activities.
* A substantial amount of capital should be invested in the business. The 
investment can be money as well as tangible goods. Substantial capital is meant 
to be enough to be able to run an independent business. In the case of a sole-
proprietorship, a minimum of 10,000.- (4.500  EURO) must be invested in the 
company, a partnership or a limited corporation would require at least 25% of 
the capital and a minimum of 10,000.- (4.500 EURO). In the case of a public 
corporation, there must be at least 25% of the placed capital and a minimum of 
25,000.- (11.250 EURO). Furthermore, the funds must be the person's own and may 
not be borrowed. 
* Americans must provide evidence of their investment with recent figures that 
have been checked by an independent, qualified professional. This can be an 
accountant or a tax advisor who is a member of the Federation of the College of 
Tax Advisors. Furthermore, to use the Treaty, it is important that the American 
maintains the invested capital. This means that the assets can never fall lower 
than required minimum for the type of company.
* The business must be registered in the Trade register of the Chamber of
Commerce
* A business plan is also necessary (with a prognosis of future profits).
* The Americans invoking the Treaty must be in possession of a valid passport 
(for at least one more year from the date of application) and have arranged 
health insurance.
* The Friendship Treaty further provides that the states are authorized to 
apply measures that are necessary to maintain public order and to protect the 
public health, morals and safety. 

"If the application is well prepared and the above-mentioned conditions have
been met, the American entrepreneur will be eligible for a Residence Permit

"The intension of the Friendship Treaty is to simplify trade between the two 
Parties. The conditions for American entrepreneurs who want to settle in the 
Netherlands are certainly more straightforward than they are for other foreign 
nationals. Americans utilizing the Treaty do not have to prove that their 
business activities will serve essential Dutch economic interests. The 
importance of this is not insignificant, as it frequently represents an 
important obstacle in the entry procedure of other self-employed entrepreneurs. 
The manner in which it is implemented in Dutch policy does not allow Americans 
the full amount of rights that the Treaty actually offers. According to the 
Treaty, Americans will be permitted to enter if they take the appropriate steps 
to start a business. [...]

"The Dutch Ministry of Justice will answer queries concerning the red tape 
involved in applying for residence in the Netherlands on 070-370 31 24 or 370 
31 44.  The voluntary organization, Access, in The Hague, can also put you in 
touch with sources of help."


Additional information on setting up your own business in the Netherlands under 
the statutes of the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty is available on:

Working as a self-employed person in the Netherlands
www.immigratiedienst.nl/pdf/werkenalszelfstang-eng.pdf

This PDF outlines the general and specific conditions and requirements for 
setting up a business in the Netherlands ("Under which conditions can you work 
in the Netherlands as a self-employed person?")

According to the The US Embassy in the Hague 
(http://www.usemb.nl/usduinvr.htm), "During the last decade, the number of U.S. 
companies established in the Netherlands has grown to more than 1,600. […]U.S 
investors see the Netherlands as one of the most attractive countries for 
setting up European Headquarters, Call Centers, Shared Service Centers (SSCs) 
and European Distribution Centers (EDCs)." Many of these businesses are 
European headquarters and distribution centers for multinational companies.

Another Web site that may be of help to you has links and useful information on 
working in, studying in and relocating to specific European countries:

Expat access
http://www.expataccess.com/netherlands/Residency.shtml

Best of luck!

Request for Answer Clarification by amsterdam-ga on 19 Apr 2002 14:36 PDT
From the following pdf document page 13

http://www.immigratiedienst.nl/pdf/werkenalszelfstang-eng.pdf

Under “Exceptions”, the last sentence is:  “These special conditions do not 
apply to those pursuing a profession”.  I was particularly interested in 
knowing what professions are included in this exception.  (e.g. – I consider 
myself a business consultant – is that a profession that would qualify under 
the treaty?)

Clarification of Answer by waggawa-ga on 19 Apr 2002 15:49 PDT
You would need to set up an independent consultancy company under the 
guidelines noted (see PDFs). 

Ernst & Young 
G.H. Betzweg 1 
3068 AZ Rotterdam 
Phone: (31) 10 407 4444 
Fax: (31) 10 455 6440

IBM Nederland NV
P.O. Box 9999 
1006 CE Amsterdam 
Phone: (31) 20 513 3111 
Fax: (31) 20 513 3634

Clarification of Answer by waggawa-ga on 19 Apr 2002 15:54 PDT
You would need to set up an independent consultancy company under the 
guidelines noted (see PDFs). Check with the Dutch Ministry of Justice 
(http://www.minjust.nl:8080/) for details:

Dutch Ministry of Justice 
Post Office Box 20301
2500 EH The Hague
The Netherlands 
fax 31-70-370 79 37
(Information Department telephone: +31 70 370 68 50)

Ministerie van Justitie 
Mw. mr. A.E.J.M. van Erp
Directoraat-Generaal Preventie, Jeugd & Sancties 
Directie Jeugd & Criminaliteitspreventie 
Telefoon: +31 70-3706725 
 

Otherwise, you might try to find a position with one of the various consulting 
companies have already set up shop in the Netherlands, for example:

Ernst & Young 
G.H. Betzweg 1 
3068 AZ Rotterdam 
Phone: (31) 10 407 4444 
Fax: (31) 10 455 6440

IBM Nederland NV
P.O. Box 9999 
1006 CE Amsterdam 
Phone: (31) 20 513 3111 
Fax: (31) 20 513 3634

Deloitte & Touche 
P.O. Box 90721
2509 LS The Hague 
Phone: (31) 70 326 4701
Fax: (31) 70 324 4482
amsterdam-ga rated this answer:4 out of 5 stars
Great value and very timely.  However, I still think that Americans with some 
professions can get residence permits under the treaty - and this was the 
definitive question.

Comments  
Subject: Re: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
From: interest-ga on 19 Apr 2002 09:05 PDT
 
You probably find this in 

http://www.expataccess.com/netherlands/Residency.shtml

I cite:

"After five years of continued legal residency they can apply for the five-year 
Vergunning tot Vestiging (permanent residence permit). Non-EU citizens wishing 
to become self-employed in the Netherlands, will have to prove that their 
enterprise serves essential Dutch cultural or economic interest. They will have 
to go through rigorous vetting in order to make their case, which can easily 
take one to three years. The one exception is for citizens of the U.S. If the 
nature of their enterprise is trade, they can implement the Dutch-American 
Friendship Treaty. With a small investment in their own company, they may 
obtain a residence permit."

Does this help?
Subject: Re: Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
From: amsterdam-ga on 19 Apr 2002 09:35 PDT
 
US citizens, I understand, under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, have 
special exceptions - it is these exceptions I hope to explore.

Important Disclaimer: Answers and comments provided on Google Answers are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Google does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. Please read carefully the Google Answers Terms of Service.

If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by emailing us at answers-support@google.com with the question ID listed above. Thank you.
Search Google Answers for
Google Answers  


Google Home - Answers FAQ - Terms of Service - Privacy Policy