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Anybody from the U.S. been able to move to NL? Was it difficult? Any advise you could recommend? Is it impossible if you can't speak fluent Dutch? I'm self-employed so I don't have to worry about employment. If you get an immigration lawyer can they make it happen? Is it a matter of how much money you have, or it's just all by the book?

What kind of work do you do? If you can open a business here you can take advantage of the Dutch-American Treaty (DAFT).

http://www.expatlaw.nl/dutch_american_f ... treaty.htm

The capital required is only 4,500 euros but there are a number of legal requirements and you should certainly get a lawyer.

As an American, you are very lucky, as no other country has this way to come here. And after 5 years you can obtain a 5-year residency permit.

I recommend you think about it quite hard, as it is quite a big life step.

Thanks for your replies. However, just as the thread states. I'm looking for specific responses by people who really have been able to make the move from U.S. to NL. I've done quite a bit of research and do realize how difficult it can be and the requirements. I also understand it might not work out for me as I would like. I'm only looking for views by ones that have done it and what they might have to say on this topic.

Although, I don't really mind what anybody has to say on the topic regardless. Just really looking towards replies from those who have done what I'm asking about.

Marco wrote:What kind of work do you do? If you can open a business here you can take advantage of the Dutch-American Treaty (DAFT).

http://www.expatlaw.nl/dutch_american_f ... treaty.htm

The capital required is only 4,500 euros but there are a number of legal requirements and you should certainly get a lawyer.

As an American, you are very lucky, as no other country has this way to come here. And after 5 years you can obtain a 5-year residency permit.

I recommend you think about it quite hard, as it is quite a big life step.

That amount of money is not a problem to me but, as I understand my business needs to fit the requirements or preference according to NL's requriements? That's kind of my issue since although most of my business experience is in the e-commerce area. I'm still open to brick-mortar business since I have been around our family business since I was a child. I can basically work and run any business, as long as I determine it's profitable.

However, I don't know what business would be 'preferred' by NL. That's what I remember seeing on their application, is that it has to be a business they see as being beneficial to the country.

Also that link you provided to that lawyer is good, I've already spoken to him a couple times and provided good info at no charge. I will be going through him once I make my final decision. I'm waiting before I actually request the formal consultation to get closer to the date. I'm wanting to actually be in NL and check it out for 3 months before deciding on wanting to move there. All this is kinda off topic though, since as I said I'm actually looking for responses from people that have already done it (made the move).

I did it, but you will have to find a European wife on your own

Marco wrote:I did it, but you will have to find a European wife on your own

Marco wrote:I did it, but you will have to find a European wife on your own

Good point, marriage is the best way to get citizenship

Make sure when you get married, you get your wedding certificate verified and then and only then will your marriage be recognised over here... Alternatively, you could get married over here.. and then you only have to get your birth certificate verified (and you will need a certificate to say you are unencumbered) (and decree absolute if you are divorced)... it's not straight forward!

I have a few american friends who married dutchmen and live over here.. one of them - their marriage is not recognised as they didn't have their wedding certificate verified... and she is disabled, so can't get on his health insurance because technically they are not married...

Jasmeena wrote:Make sure when you get married, you get your wedding certificate verified and then and only then will your marriage be recognised over here... Alternatively, you could get married over here.. and then you only have to get your birth certificate verified (and you will need a certificate to say you are unencumbered) (and decree absolute if you are divorced)... it's not straight forward!

I have a few american friends who married dutchmen and live over here.. one of them - their marriage is not recognised as they didn't have their wedding certificate verified... and she is disabled, so can't get on his health insurance because technically they are not married...

Not sure what verified means but if they got married in the US they should be able to get the wedding certificate certified in the locality where they had the ceremony. There must be more to it than meets the eye with your friends.

colinzeal wrote:http://www.postwar.nl/amsterdam/howams_ ... ehere.html

Informative first person article.

The ending -
Will I wanna stay in Amsterdam forever?
I dunno. Will you?

Hell yes.
Peace