Before you think if you can, you should question if you should. And, the short answer is that moving to the Netherlands is worth it. The Netherlands can offer you a high quality of life that is less expensive than that in the USA. The cost of living in the Netherlands is said to be about 20% lower than that of the US.

Many Americans move to the Netherlands in 2026 seeking a better work-life balance, a safer environment, and the unique benefits of the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT). DAFT is a bilateral agreement that makes it significantly easier for American entrepreneurs and freelancers to live and work in the Netherlands with a relatively low investment of only €4,500. Beyond the legal ease, Americans are drawn to the high quality of life, which includes universal healthcare, world-class public transportation, and a culture that prioritizes family time over "hustle culture." The Netherlands is also famously English-friendly, with over 90% of the population speaking English fluently, reducing the barrier to integration. Safety is another major factor; parents are often attracted by the ability for children to bike to school independently in a country with minimal violent crime and no threat of mass shootings compared to the U.S.