Netherlands Investor Visa in 2026: Closed Route and Legacy Renewals

The Netherlands does not accept new applications under its former residence permit for a wealthy foreign national / foreign investor.

The IND officially states that the scheme was abolished and that new investor-residence applications have not been possible since 17 April 2024.

This page is therefore a legacy guide, not a recommendation for a currently open residence-by-investment program.

Why the scheme was abolished

In its May 2024 business newsletter, the IND explained that the investor admission scheme had existed since 2013 but was used very little. The government concluded that its contribution to the Dutch business climate and startup financing was small and that making it more attractive would increase abuse risk.

As a result, the admission regulation was discontinued from 17 April 2024.

Can new investors still apply?

No. The IND wording is direct: applying for residence as a wealthy foreign national is no longer possible for a new applicant.

Buying real estate, purchasing securities or transferring a large amount of capital does not create a new Dutch “Golden Visa” after the abolition.

What about existing permit holders?

The IND states that existing foreign-investor permit holders can still apply for extension. They must meet the requirements that applied before the scheme was abolished.

The existence of a legacy extension process should not be confused with reopening the route to new investors.

Legacy extension fee

The current 2026 IND fee table lists the foreign-investor extension fee as €1,406.

The extension application form remains available for existing holders. Applicants should use the current IND form/instructions and verify that they continue to satisfy the historic substantive conditions.

Processing and evidence

Legacy applicants should expect the IND to review whether the permit remains extendable under the pre-abolition requirements. The current regular-extension framework generally uses a 90-day legal decision period, subject to the rules that apply to the specific residence purpose and the completeness of the application.

Because this is a legacy route, existing holders should avoid relying on old commercial summaries and should check the current extension form and IND instructions directly.

Can an investor switch to another Dutch route?

Possibly, if the person independently qualifies for a current residence purpose.

Relevant active alternatives can include:

  • Self-Employment Visa for a business that satisfies the ordinary essential-interest requirements;
  • DAFT Visa for qualifying US/Japanese entrepreneurs;
  • Startup Visa for a beginning innovative founder working with a facilitator; or
  • Highly Skilled Migrant where the person has qualifying employment with an IND-recognised sponsor.

Each alternative has its own legal test. Capital alone does not substitute for those requirements.

Is there a Dutch Golden Visa through property?

No current Dutch residence route grants a new residence permit simply because a non-EU national buys residential or commercial property.

Property ownership and immigration status are separate legal questions.

Family, permanent residence and citizenship

Existing legacy investor holders should assess family rights based on the actual permit and the family member's residence status.

For long-term planning, general Dutch permanent residence commonly requires five consecutive years of qualifying lawful residence, main residence in the Netherlands and other conditions such as income and civic integration.

Ordinary naturalisation also generally uses a five-year lawful-residence baseline and requires an eligible residence status, civic integration, public-order compliance and usually nationality renunciation unless an exception applies.

Legacy investor residence does not guarantee either outcome.

Tax

The former investor residence scheme was an immigration framework, not a tax-residence exemption. Existing holders may still have Dutch tax-residence, wealth, corporate, investment or reporting obligations depending on their facts.

Common mistakes

  • advertising the Dutch investor residence permit as open in 2026;
  • calling ordinary Dutch property ownership a Golden Visa;
  • assuming an old investment threshold creates a new right to apply;
  • confusing legacy renewal with new admission; or
  • assuming investment automatically creates permanent residence or citizenship.

FAQs

Is the Netherlands investor visa open in 2026?

No. New applications ended on 17 April 2024.

Can existing holders renew?

IND says existing foreign-investor residence permit holders can still apply for extension if they meet the requirements that applied before abolition.

What is the current extension fee?

The 2026 IND fee table lists €1,406.

Can I buy property and get Dutch residence?

Not under the abolished foreign-investor route. Property ownership by itself is not a Dutch residence permit.

What should a new entrepreneur use instead?

Depending on nationality and business, compare the general self-employed route, DAFT/Japanese treaty route or startup permit.

Related Netherlands routes

Last verified: 15 September 2026. This page is editorial information, not legal or tax advice.

Official and supporting sources

Related routes in Netherlands