No dedicated digital nomad visa · British applicants
Moving to Netherlands as a remote worker: guide for British applicants (2026)
Netherlands has no dedicated digital nomad visa, so British applicants who want to base themselves there use DAFT — Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (US citizens) or Self-employed residence permit (points-based) instead. That is the honest starting point — there is no remote-work permit to apply for, and anyone selling you one is selling fiction. The Netherlands has never launched a digital nomad visa. Americans get the uniquely generous DAFT treaty route; everyone else faces the points-based self-employed permit or an employer-sponsored route.
Key facts for British applicants
- Dedicated nomad visa
- Not offered
- Best alternatives
- DAFT — Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (US citizens) · Self-employed residence permit (points-based)
- Region
- Europe
How to apply from the UK
1Pick the right alternative route
Netherlands has no nomad-specific permit, so British applicants choose from the documented alternatives in the country guide — usually a long-stay visitor route or a freelance/self-employed permit where one exists.
2Apply from the UK
British applicants apply through Netherlands's standard consular channels for the alternative route that fits — there is no nomad-specific application track. Check the Netherlands country guide for the documented options and apply well before you fly.
3Don't rely on the tourist-visa grey area
Working remotely on a standard visitor entry is a grey area in Netherlands and can lead to refused entry. A proper long-stay status is worth the paperwork.
4Sort tax before you fly
Tax residency usually follows 183+ days of presence, and your home country may still want a return. Confirm your position with a qualified advisor.
Tax notes
Without a dedicated nomad visa there is no special nomad tax regime in Netherlands either — your tax position follows the standard residency rules (usually 183+ days of presence) plus whatever your home country claims. Take qualified tax advice before a long stay.
Tax rules are simplified here and change often. Confirm your position with a qualified tax advisor before making decisions.
Frequently asked questions
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Not legal advice. Visa rules change frequently and consulates interpret them differently. Always verify current requirements with the official consulate or immigration authority before applying. Official source: Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) — work residence permits.