Today we speak to Michael, a Xolo customer who originally hails from the United States and now lives in The Hague, nestled in the beautiful Netherlands.
Michael is a freelancer and currently building apps for Apple platforms. Outside of work he lives with a passion for travel and hockey––often travelling internationally to watch games.
Let’s dive in and see what makes Michael an amazing freelancer, storyteller and delighted Xolo user.
Hello Michael. Could you start by telling us your journey from working 9-5 to solopreneurship?
“In middle school, I began teaching myself to code. For many years after, my favorite hobby was building and shipping various creations. So much so, in fact, that I decided to make a career of it.
After landing my first job, and developing a rather illustrious perception of the tech industry (believing it to be one of the last bastions of the American economy of yore), I discovered quite quickly that it wasn’t quite the case.
In my first job, I was building apps for live events, especially music festivals. I was happy for a while, but the Spring of 2020 came around and live events instantly became a terrible idea overnight. The company collapsed, and I was laid off. I joined another company soon afterwards, and about a year later, I was jobless yet again. This cycle kept repeating itself over the coming years, where I’d get a nice new job I’m excited about, but then the market would sour and I’d get laid off.
In just 7 years, I worked for 5 different companies.”
How did those constant, unexpected transitions affect you in the United States?
“In the United States, losing your job is a much bigger and more stressful event than simply losing your income.
Every time I switched companies, I lost my healthcare. I’d probably have to change doctors and pharmacies because the one I had before isn’t in-network for the new job’s insurance, and the medicines I take would radically change in price. I now have half a dozen barely-funded retirement accounts scattered across various plans I used to be in.
It affected everything from where I was able to live, to where and how I took care of my health, to the cell phone plan I was allowed to have.”
What was your next step, following the most recent lay-off?
“I got tired of the whole cycle.
After being laid off from my last ‘real job’ in March of 2024, I looked to the contract market to make ends meet in the short-term. Fortunately, I found enough success that I wasn’t only supplementing my savings until I could find my next full-time gig, but it made me wonder if I even needed a full-time gig at all.
I spent the summer living in relative freedom, drifting around the US in my car. I scaled the purple mountain majesty, surfed the amber waves of grain, and traveled from sea to shining sea, all while working on my clients’ code in various cafés along the way.
After basking in the lifestyle of being independent for a few months, I decided to commit to it.”
Independence really seemed to speak to you. How did this further shape your career?
“Once I had decided on independence and this ability to do anything I wanted, I had another question to consider: ‘What exactly is it that I want to do?’
I looked at the place I was––full of division, struggle, strife and overfamiliarity. I’d begun to ponder everything else there was to see in the world. A number of my friends are European, and I’ve always thoroughly enjoyed each trip I’ve taken.
I started to passively look into the idea of moving permanently.
Following quite a bit of research, The Netherlands proved to be the most viable candidate. They have a treaty with the United States (aptly named the “Dutch-American Friendship Treaty”) that allows us Americans to just kinda show up, say we wanna stay, and make an investment in starting a business. Afterwards, they issue us a residence permit that allows Americans to live in The Netherlands and work for ourselves.
I saw both a thriving community of iOS engineers I could connect with and an abundance of listings to employ them.”
Tell us about the process of discovering DAFT and relocating to another country.
“After gaining some freedom, I knew I wanted to move somewhere new. I’ve always been a bit of a nomad, getting restless every 3-5 years. At the 3-year mark in Boulder, Colorado, and with several friends moving, I decided to look into moving to Europe, something I’d wanted to do for years but never seemed like the right time. I found that the Netherlands offered a straightforward way for Americans to move through the DAFT program, where we just need to show up, deposit €4,500 in a business account, and get a residence permit.
I’m an engineer, I’m not a Dutch lawyer or accountant (or even a business person); I’m just someone who went through this process recently. Please don’t take this as legal or financial advice.
Step 1: Documents
I gathered the required documents (passport and an apostille birth certificate), and asked a family friend to help me find a place. After signing a lease and selling my stuff, I flew to Amsterdam. The DAFT process starts only after you’re in the Netherlands, so I filled out the form, and thanks to a recent change, received my long-term permit soon after submitting it––in just a few weeks, actually.
Step 2: BSN
Next, you need to register with the local city hall (gemeente) for a BSN. The BSN is basically a social security number that’s used for nearly everything else you do.
The appointment is quick but usually booked two months out. This entire process is mostly waiting for mail to arrive, followed by expedient appointments. I had a slight delay getting my BSN because my new US passport didn’t contain enough info surrounding my place of birth, but it arrived three weeks later.
Step 3: Health insurance
Once you have a BSN, make sure you also get health insurance. It’s legally mandated in the Netherlands, and you have to get it within 4 months of the day your flight landed. In fact, for the first payment, you’ll be required to pay for all the time you’ve already been in the Netherlands in addition to the coming month, as if you had been insured the whole time.
The Dutch have strong government controls on the price of insurance. The plan I ended up with ended up being about ⅙ the price of the plan I had in the United States. The total price of the big first payment on my Dutch insurance premium was less than the price of a single month of my US insurance, and you’re appropriately reimbursed for any medical expenses you’ve incurred since the day you landed.
Step 4: Business registry
From there, you need to register your business with the Kamer van Koophandel (chamber of commerce). This requires another in-person appointment, booked several weeks in advance.
Here, they verify your information again, and double-check things like the business name you chose isn’t taken. It’s another fast appointment, and you’re registered immediately. Don’t forget to get a paper copy of your registration for later use! It’s necessary to prove you meet the terms of your visa later, and you have to pay for it (was only €18 at the time).
Final Step: Bank account
The final step is opening a business bank account and making the €4,500 deposit. Be sure to get an accountant (like Xolo) to give you an opening balance sheet (openingsbalans) to prove it. The account must stay above that amount to avoid deportation (even if it’s lower for only a few hours). Once everything’s set, you can work and stay for two years. If successful, you can extend your visa for another five years and apply for permanent residency.
Congrats on your new European home!”
Michael, would you give us your top-list of pointers for people considering DAFT?
“The Netherlands is the land of milk ‘n honey, as long as you’re able to support yourself. There is a vast difference between America and the Netherlands that is both rewarding and challenging (in positive ways). Starting a business is no easy task, and with that forewarning I’ll say carry-on:
- It’s true. Starting a business is tough: It’s not just about moving abroad and relaxing. You’ll need to put in serious effort to make it work. If you’re looking to leave the US without much hassle, this might not be for you. You need to manage all the stress of self-employment.
- Be prepared financially: Have 1-2 years’ worth of living expenses saved before moving. The Netherlands offers a lot, but if your business drops below €4,500, your visa gets revoked. It takes time to reach stability. Also, you’ll need health insurance, which is cheaper than in the US, but missing it will lead to fines and potentially deportation. It’s strongly advisable to have numerous other kinds of insurances, as well, such as liability and professional insurance.
- Health insurance tips: Dutch health insurance is tightly controlled, covers a wide range of services and benefits, and is considerably cheaper than in the US. Focus on having English customer service if you don’t speak Dutch, as coverage is quite the same across plans.
- Documentation: Be sure not only to keep physical copies of the proof you’ve met the requirements of your visa in a safe place, but also hang onto your American documentation, too. You’ll be surprised how often your US driver’s license comes in handy when dealing with the US government.
- Housing challenges: There’s a housing shortage, and landlords may be hesitant to rent to self-employed individuals. Solve this issue before you move—many use a makelaar (apartment broker).
- Location doesn’t matter much: You don’t have to live in Amsterdam. The Netherlands is small, and you can easily travel anywhere by public transport.
- New employment laws: If you want to start as a sole proprietor (eenmanszaak), you need 3 clients to prove you're genuinely freelancing. Also, switching from a DAFT visa to a full-time job is tricky, as companies need to prove they couldn't hire a European.
- Networking is key: Attend meetups, business mixers, and work from co-working spaces or cafés to build a network. Connections made here often turn into clients.
- Cultural note: Be aware of subtle differences in numerous aspects of life such as measurement systems (e.g., cups, tire pressure), as the Netherlands uses the metric system and an American cup, British cup, and Dutch cup are all different (you can trust me on this).”
Let’s dive back into the raw passion you have for the Netherlands. What speaks to you nationally?
“The country speaks to me on a personal level that I’m sure is likely to be shared among other Americans.
I do love that it’s a small country and so wildly easy to get around in its entirety. What’s not within walking distance is likely a bike-ride away. Within a brief, car-free trip from my apartment, I’ve got a large park with many trails and activities, a beach for lounging and a vibrant boardwalk along it, not to mention a world-class downtown district with shopping, restaurants and almost anything I could wish for in day-to-day life (including museums and many other interesting activities).
The Netherlands has the best train network on Earth, meaning it’s virtually effortless to travel long distances at any point in time. Hop-on, hop-off in any big city or tiny town you like.
The excellent location of the country at-large has also led to multiculturalism and inclusivity becoming deeply rooted in the fabric of society. Each day I meet people from all across the world, of all different backgrounds. Likewise, there’s quite a large community of American immigrants that I can meet and relate to. It’s particularly easy for us, as virtually everyone speaks English.
But above all else is that the local culture is far more oriented around community and solidarity than anywhere I’ve been in the United States. Everyone is very easygoing, and making friends isn’t difficult. As long as you’re not bothering anyone else, everyone is eager to help you. Abundance permeates most aspects of life, and nothing much ever really goes wrong.
Compared to the home I’m used to, this is the land of milk and honey.”
Michael, it’s been great speaking with you. We just have one more question: “What makes you a happy Xolo customer?”
“I’d discovered Xolo through a Facebook group I’m in for Americans in the Netherlands on the DAFT visa.
Typically, when you’re working as a freelancer in the Netherlands, it’s a very good idea to hire a local accountant and advisor to work with you. I’m, however, the kind of person who likes to do things myself. Xolo seemed to fit that archetype perfectly, giving me the freedom to build my business while handling my admin work and taxes.
What really makes Xolo great, though? The customer service. They feel like a partner in running my solo business. There’s many things that generally have complicated tax implications (like invoicing and accounting and such), but Xolo guides me and offers significant support whenever I need it. Even if there’s a task that Xolo’s dashboard doesn’t immediately support, I can just send an email and either be shown how to do it or have it done for me.
I’m an engineer, not an accountant. But with Xolo? I can be both.”
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