Lithuania Startup Visa vs Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)
A factual side-by-side comparison of two residency programmes. All figures are drawn from the canonical program pages — follow either link in the table header for sources and the full profile.
Key Differences at a Glance
- ›Lithuania Startup Visa is faster: 2 months vs 3 months for Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty).
- ›Faster to citizenship: Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) at ~5 years, vs 10 for Lithuania Startup Visa.
- ›Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) requires a 4,900 USD investment; Lithuania Startup Visa does not.
Lithuania Startup Visa Lithuania · entrepreneur | Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) Netherlands · entrepreneur | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Lithuania | Netherlands |
| Category | Entrepreneur | Entrepreneur |
| Application Fee | $135 | $380 |
| Minimum Income | — | — |
| Minimum Investment | — | $4,900 |
| Processing Time | 2 months | 3 months |
| Family Included | Spouse and dependent children may apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification alongside the primary startup visa holder | Spouse and minor children may apply for dependent residence permits; the spouse may be granted work authorization separately |
| Path to PR | Yes — 5 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Path to Citizenship | Yes — 10 years | Yes — 5 years |
| Physical Presence | Must reside in Lithuania and actively develop the business; extended absences can affect permit renewal and the qualifying period for permanent residency | Continuous residence required; must actively operate the business. Extended absences can affect renewal eligibility and the qualifying period for permanent residency. |
| Dual Citizenship | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Tax Impact | Holders who establish tax residency in Lithuania are subject to Lithuanian income tax on worldwide income. Lithuania's progressive income tax rates top out at 32%. Standard EU double taxation treaties apply. | Holders become Dutch tax residents and are subject to Dutch income tax (Box 1, with rates up to 49.5%) and social security contributions. Self-employed individuals may benefit from the self-employment deduction (zelfstandigenaftrek). The 30% ruling may apply if conditions are met. |
| Tax Residency Trigger | 183 days/yr | 183 days/yr |
| Worldwide Taxation | Yes | Yes |
| Renewal Cost | $135 | $380 |
About Lithuania Startup Visa
Lithuania's Startup Visa is designed for innovative entrepreneurs and startup founders who wish to build scalable, technology-driven businesses from within the EU. The application is assessed by Startup Lithuania, which evaluates the novelty, scalability, and commercial potential of the proposed venture; approved applicants receive a one-year permit that is renewable as long as the business continues to develop. After five years of continuous legal residence, startup visa holders may apply for permanent residency, with Lithuanian (and therefore EU) citizenship accessible after a further period.
Full Lithuania Startup Visa profile →About Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) Visa is a residence permit available exclusively to United States citizens establishing or operating a business in the Netherlands, under a 1956 bilateral treaty — no other nationality qualifies. Requirements are modest: a minimum €4,500 capital deposit in a Dutch business bank account, Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration, a viable business plan, and a registered Dutch address, with no ongoing minimum-income test once established. Spouses and minor children can obtain dependent permits, with the spouse potentially eligible for separate work authorisation. After 5 years of continuous residence and genuine business operation, holders can seek permanent residency (A2 Dutch, integration exam) and citizenship — though Dutch naturalisation generally requires renouncing US citizenship, a major consideration for Americans. DAFT holders become full Dutch tax residents, with Box 1 rates up to roughly 49.5%, though the self-employment deduction can reduce taxable profit; the 30% ruling generally does not apply to DAFT's self-employed structure. The business must be genuinely operating, not merely registered on paper.
Full Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) profile →Gotchas to Watch For
Lithuania Startup Visa
- ⚠Lithuania generally does not allow dual citizenship — naturalisation usually requires renouncing original
- ⚠Endorsement committee highly selective — many applications rejected at stage 1
- ⚠10-year citizenship track (not 5 like Portugal) plus language + civic test
- ⚠Low cost but also low visibility — limited ecosystem relative to Berlin/Amsterdam/Lisbon
Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)
- ⚠DAFT is EXCLUSIVELY for US citizens — no other nationality eligible
- ⚠Dutch citizenship requires renouncing US — exit tax + US dual considerations
- ⚠Business must genuinely operate (not just exist on paper)
- ⚠30% Ruling reduced to 5 years (from 8) in 2024; further restrictions ongoing
- ⚠BSN registration at municipality blocks many services until complete
Neutral reference — we don't recommend one programme over another. Programmes change: always verify each detail against the official source linked on the individual program pages.