Netherlands at a glance
| Entry | Schengen 90/180 · ETIAS not yet live |
|---|---|
| Retiree visa | None · Family or DAFT routes |
| U.S. presence | Brunssum / Schinnen · NATO and Army garrison |
| Time zone | UTC+1 · Currency: euro |
| Cost of living | Roughly USD 2,500–3,200 a month, plus mandatory health insurance. |
| Money · language · time | Euro (EUR) · Dutch · UTC+1 (summer UTC+2) |
Entering Netherlands
Schengen rules: 90 days in any 180 without a visa. The EU Entry/Exit System is running. ETIAS pre-travel authorization has not started yet and no firm date has been set.
Long-stay and retirement visas
- No retirement visa. The Netherlands has no residence route for people living only on a pension.
- DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty): U.S. citizens can get residence as self-employed entrepreneurs by investing in a Dutch business (IND sets the minimum, currently EUR 4,500). You must actually run the business.
- Partners of Dutch citizens or residents use the family route.
VA care and benefits in Netherlands
No VA medical facility. FMP reimbursement. VA doesn't list an FMP toll-free number for the Netherlands. SSA lists the U.S. Embassy in Dublin, Ireland, as the post that handles Dutch residents' claims; confirm on SSA's site. The Netherlands is on VA's international direct deposit list.
Vets in Netherlands are already in the group
Ask about visas, hospitals and FMP claims from people who've done it there.
Healthcare
Excellent. Residents must buy Dutch basic health insurance (basisverzekering), with a yearly deductible. Some people are excluded if they keep certain foreign coverage, so check with the insurer.
Where veterans live
- Maastricht / Limburg: Near Brunssum (NATO) and the Schinnen garrison.
- The Hague: International city, near the embassy.
- Utrecht: Central and walkable.
- Amsterdam: Popular but very expensive.
Cost of living and property
Roughly USD 2,500–3,200 a month, plus mandatory health insurance. Costs vary a lot by city and lifestyle, and health insurance is extra.
No restrictions on foreign ownership. Housing is scarce and competitive.
Watch out for
State Department advisory: Level 2, exercise increased caution, due to terrorism. A serious housing shortage and high taxes.
Veteran organizations
None confirmed. Ask the Schinnen or Brunssum retiree office about local groups. See all veteran organizations abroad.
Common questions
Can I retire in the Netherlands on a pension?
Not on its own. There's no retirement visa. Americans usually move through a Dutch partner or the DAFT self-employed route.
Can VA deposit my benefits in a Dutch bank?
Yes. The Netherlands is on VA's international direct deposit list.
Last reviewed November 2026. See something out of date? Tell us.
