What changes for your money
In Colorado, you pay the flat state rate of about 4.4% on top of federal tax. In the Netherlands, your BV pays 19% corporate tax on profit up to €200,000. The director salary is €58,000, paid through the payroll of your own BV. On that salary, you may be able to use the expat ruling (see the conditions for the expat ruling). For most people, at most about €9,987 of it can then be tax-free in 2026, because the taxed part must stay at or above the salary norm of €48,013. Dividends are taxed in box 2 at 24.5% on the first €68,843 per person and 31% above that (2026), in the year you choose. Box 2 is the tax band for income from your own company. Health insurance costs a flat €150 per adult.
Your residence permit
The Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) needs a genuine business, €4,500 equity, a permit for two years that you can renew, and covers family: the complete guide. Boulder-style solo founders and studios suit the treaty well: businesses that qualify.
Where Coloradans settle
Many Coloradans choose Utrecht. It is known as the cycling capital of the Netherlands and has an active startup scene. Founders who plan to raise venture capital often choose Amsterdam (see the guide for US tech founders in Amsterdam). The dunes and the Veluwe have good trails, and there are direct trains to the Alps.
Compare the Netherlands with Ireland and Germany on tax, substance, running costs and time. See setting up a Dutch subsidiary for a foreign parent company.
The first 90 days
First, you file the application with the Dutch immigration service (IND). After the decision, you have six months to set up the company, register it with the Dutch trade register (KVK), open the bank account and pay in the €4,500. See the DAFT application steps. After the residence card is issued, you register your family, arrange schools and get the citizen service number. See DAFT for your family.