Moving to Netherlands from US to open a Hospitality Business

16POSTS

8 years ago

Hi All,

My husband and I are hospitality professionals living in San Francisco, California. We are looking to hopefully move to the Netherlands to start our own business. Since we come from the world of bar/restaurants/hotels, we are thinking of opening up an American style bar specializing in imported American products and food. I was wondering if anyone here has relocated from the US to the Netherlands to start a hospitality business. I would love to hear of your experience. Were you able to get a residency and work permit through the DAFT treaty? Is it difficult to get a liquor license to open a bar? Are there stringent import laws on the importation of alcohol? What are some of the challenges we should prepare for? What is the minimum investment we should be preparing for? I would love to chat with anyone who has used the Dutch American Friendship Treaty to relocate to the Netherlands.

I appreciate all your help in advance!

Thanks,
Sarah

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Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

8114POSTS

8 years ago

Hi and welcome to the Forum.

I've never done what you are contemplating, but the Dutch Government have a webpage devoted to this subject; this will take you there.

Hope this helps.

Cynic
Expat Team

Zemsadventures Member

16POSTS

8 years ago

Thanks, Cynic! I have been doing a lot of research online and have specific questions regarding the DAFT treaty- do you suggest contacting the Dutch Chamber of Commerce? I will check out the link you sent- thanks so much for your super prompt response!

Cynic UK/Netherlands Expert

8114POSTS

8 years ago

Hi,

I would certainly recommend contacting the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (known as the Kamer van Koophandel, or KvK); this will take you to their website.

To be honest, I hadn't heard of the DAFT treaty before, but I've now done some reading I can confirm that it does exist and it is specifically referred to on the Dutch Government Immigration website.聽 My only real comment is that it's an old treaty that pre-dates the EU and is about immigration into Holland for American citizens wishing to invest in Holland; here's a to the IND website that describes it.

I've also found online several commercial organisations that offer to help you through the system; to be honest, they're not offering anything you can't do for yourself for free, but if you have the $ to spend, then Google will guide you towards them.

Hope this helps.

If you have any further specific questions, please come back to us.

Cynic
Expat Team

Linadventure Member

1POSTS

8 years ago

Hi Sarah,

First of all - cool user name haha

As Cynic says, the dutch Chamber of Commerce for sure can help you out. I remember a (American) friend telling me that friends of hers had applied for a DAFT and that it was fairly easy. You won't need to seperately apply for a work or residence permit. However, to register with the KvK (chamber of commerce) I think you need to have a Dutch BSN number, but i'm actually not too sure about that.

I found an IamExpat article that might help you: However I see that this also dates back to 2014.. And I found that can get you in contact with immigration lawyers to help you out with this.

Zemsadventures Member

16POSTS

8 years ago

Thanks again Cynic- I will check out both links! I had written to the KvK earlier and it seems that I should be able to apply through the program but there are some guidelines that were a little vague so I was hoping to check with people who may have actually gone through the process.

I think I may look for some US expats in the Netherlands that own businesses to see if I may be able to get some guidance from them. Plus my husband and I plan to make a researching trip over in August and maybe I can personally go speak with the KvK! For now I will keep researching online!

Thanks again!

Zemsadventures Member

16POSTS

8 years ago

Haha love your name too!

Our instagram is actually under zemsadventures since we went 'adventuring' on a year long trip around the world!

Thanks so much for your feedback- I have spoken to some people who have gone through the DAFT process but they had online businesses and not actual brick and mortar shops so I wanted to make sure that we were able to still apply through the treaty as applying for a work visa as an investor, I would need a VERY large investment.

I am glad to hear that you knew someone who went through the process- hopefully we can learn more about it when we come in August to research the area and the market.

Also, thanks for the links- they are not showing as yet (under review) but hopefully I can check them out, even if they are a little old.

Thanks again Linadventures!