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Move to the Netherlands with the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty

We moved from Dallas, Texas to the Netherlands using the DAFT. Now we help other Americans navigate the same process.

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Why We Built This

When we started researching DAFT, we found outdated forums, scattered information, and lawyers charging thousands. We created what we wished existed.

Features

We Just Did This Ourselves

In 2024, we went from 'Is this even possible?' to unpacking boxes in Amsterdam. We remember every confusing step—and we wrote it all down.

Current Information

The DAFT process changes. Our guide reflects what worked in 2024, not advice from 2018.

Real Cost Breakdown

We share exactly what we spent—flights, apostilles, bank accounts, first month costs. No vague estimates.

Honest About the Hard Parts

Culture shock is real. Winter is dark. We tell you what to actually expect.

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Built for Americans, By Americans

Generic expat advice doesn't cover 401ks, student loans, or US tax obligations. We do—because we had the same questions.

US Financial Realities

What happens to your retirement accounts, student loans, and taxes when you leave? We break it down.

The Actual Paperwork

Which documents need apostilles? Where do you get them? We include the exact checklist we used.

Timeline That Makes Sense

When to quit your job, when to book flights, when to tell your landlord. A realistic schedule.

Visual representation of Built for Americans, By Americans - Netherlands lifestyle and culture

Get To Know Us

A software engineer and therapist who traded Dallas for Amsterdam. We're not immigration experts—we're Americans who figured this out and documented everything.

Clayton and Lizzie in Amsterdam

Clayton & Lizzie

We're Clayton and Lizzie. In early 2024, we were living in Dallas, doom-scrolling Reddit threads about DAFT, and wondering if moving to Europe was actually possible for people like us. By fall, we were setting up our apartment in Amsterdam.

Clayton kept his remote engineering job. Lizzie moved her therapy practice online. Neither of us had trust funds or European ancestry—just determination and a lot of spreadsheets.

The hardest part wasn't the paperwork. It was finding reliable, current information. Every forum post seemed to contradict the last one. Immigration lawyers quoted us $5,000+ and couldn't even guarantee timelines. So we figured it out ourselves, documented everything, and decided to share it.

We're not lawyers, immigration consultants, or financial advisors. We're just two Americans who successfully navigated DAFT and want to save you the months of research we went through.

Two Ways We Can Help

Whether you want to go it alone with our guide or talk through your specific situation, we've got you covered.

Digital Guide

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FEATURES

What's included:

  • Step-by-step guide (50+ pages)
  • Ready-to-use document templates
  • Apostille checklist with sources
  • US tax obligations explained
  • Bank account setup walkthrough
  • Timeline and milestone tracker

Video Consultation

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FEATURES

What's included:

  • 1-hour video call about your situation
  • Review of your specific timeline
  • Answers to your burning questions
  • Call recording to revisit later
  • Email follow-up for loose ends
  • Full Digital Guide included ($199 value)

Free Resources

Everything we've learned about DAFT, Dutch bureaucracy, and building a life in the Netherlands.

Getting Started

10 Culture Shocks Americans Face in the Netherlands

The biggest culture shocks Americans experience in the Netherlands. From Dutch directness to tiny kitchens, here is what actually surprises you after moving.

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Getting Started

12 Apps Every American Expat in NL Should Download

The 12 best apps for American expats in the Netherlands. From transit and banking to groceries and language learning, these downloads make daily life easier.

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Getting Started

American Expat Groups in Amsterdam You Should Join

The best Facebook groups, meetups, and clubs for American expats in Amsterdam. Where we actually found community and made lasting friends after moving.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Ready to Stop Researching and Start Planning?

Go at Your Own Pace

Our complete guide gives you everything we learned—step-by-step instructions, templates, timelines, and answers to the questions that kept us up at night.

  • 50+ page PDF guide
  • Document templates
  • Apostille checklist
  • Lifetime updates
Download the Guide

Talk Through Your Situation

Have specific questions? Unusual circumstances? Or just want to hear from someone who did this? Let's get on a call.

  • 1-hour video call
  • Your questions answered
  • Recording included
  • Guide included free
Book a Consultation