Short business trips to the Netherlands

A Schengenvisa is required for business trips to the Netherlands of three months or less.

The Dutch authorities overseas are authorised to issue business visas. In order to receive a Schengenvisa the application needs to be as comprehensively as possible supported by documentation. The purpose of the trip needs to be clear and supported by documents from the Netherlands.

A Schengenvisa can be issued for a maximum of 3 months within a 6 month period. Multiple entry visas are also possible avoiding a new visa having to be requested each time travel within Schengen countries takes place.

A Schengenvisa alone does not allow an employee to work short term at a company subsidiary or for a Dutch company/client. Some activities, such as business meetings or software implementation are exempted from work permits. It is recommended you check ahead of time if any of your activities are covered by this exemption. Kroes Advocaten can assess if you qualify for an exemption or not.

For foreign companies there is one other relevant programme: the Orange Carpet visa. The Orange Carpet is meant for companies which have a business relation with a Dutch company and whose employees travel regularly as part of this agreement. Employees of such companies can take advantage of a simplified and faster visa request procedure. In some cases a multiple-entry visa, valid for three years, can be issued.

With a visa issued from a Dutch Embassy travel is possible not only in the Netherlands but in all Schengen countries. The Schengen area comprises all countries of the European Union plus Norway, Iceland and Switzerland but excluding Great-Britain, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus.