Guide to Doing Business
in Bonaire

Dutch citizens

R

Regulations regarding Dutch citizens to whom the WTU-BES equally applies are rather flexible. They may reside within the BES islands as a tourist for six months during a period of one year (the so-called free term). During this period it is allowed to look for a job and make enquiries with regard to envisaged residence on the BES islands. In principle, during such a tourist stay it is prohibited to perform paid work for a period exceeding three months. In case it is intended to perform work within the BES islands for a period exceeding three months (commencing on the day of arrival on the BES islands), or in case the envisaged stay is longer than six months, an application for admission by right must be submitted. It should be noted that the applicable time limits must be observed by the Dutch citizen himself.

An application for admission by right is granted to Dutch citizens under the following conditions:

  • Certificate of good conduct;
  • Housing;
  • Sufficient means of support.

Please note that a Kingdom Act pertaining to the movement of persons within the Kingdom of the Netherlands (Rijkswet Personenverkeer) is expected to be adopted shortly. Admission by right for Dutch citizens as laid down in the WTU-BES will become ineffective as it will then be covered by the Kingdom Act. However, due to certain (political) controversial elements in this latter Act, it is unclear when it will be adopted.

End of permission by right

Admission by right ends in case the purpose for which admission by right was granted has ended.