Who should consider opening a company in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is one of the key European jurisdictions for international trade, technology businesses, logistics, investment projects and working with clients in the European Union.
Registering a Dutch company may be appropriate when a business requires a clear European structure, the ability to attract investors, work with international counterparties, protect intellectual property or develop an operational presence in Western Europe.
IT, SaaS and R&D
For software developers, technology startups, digital companies and projects that create their own innovative products or intellectual property.
Trade and logistics
For imports, exports, e-commerce, distribution, work with European suppliers, warehouses, marketplaces and logistics operators.
Holdings and investment structures
For asset holding structures, investment raising, international groups of companies and projects requiring clear corporate governance.
Which business form should you choose?
The business form determines the liability of founders, governance procedures, tax obligations, reporting requirements and the ability to attract partners. For international business, the most commonly used form is a BV — besloten vennootschap.
| Form |
Suitable for |
Key features |
| BV |
International business, IT, trade, startups, investment and holding structures |
Separate legal entity, capital divided into shares, incorporation through a notary, capital from €0.01 |
| Eenmanszaak |
Freelancers and small-scale individual activities |
Not a separate legal entity; the entrepreneur is personally liable for obligations |
| Branch |
Foreign companies entering the Dutch market |
Does not create a separate legal entity; liability remains with the parent company |
| NV |
Large businesses and structures requiring more freely transferable shares |
Minimum capital of €45,000, more complex corporate governance and reporting |
When a BV is the optimal choice
A BV is usually chosen for international B2B services, IT, e-commerce, trade, investment raising and structures with multiple founders. It allows company assets to be separated from the personal assets of the owners, although directors may incur personal liability in cases of violations or improper management.
What is included in company formation support?
A full business launch in the Netherlands involves more than registration with the KVK. It is necessary to prepare the corporate structure, documents for the notary, registered office, beneficial ownership information, a bank KYC/AML package and a system for ongoing administration.
Comprehensive support may include:
- business model analysis and selection of the company form;
- development of the ownership structure, governance and share distribution;
- preparation of documents for founders, directors and beneficial owners;
- coordination with a Dutch notary and execution of the deed of incorporation;
- arrangement of a registered office in the Netherlands;
- registration with the KVK and entry of information in the UBO register;
- tax setup and obtaining the necessary numbers from Belastingdienst;
- preparation of a KYC/AML package for a bank or EMI;
- VAT registration depending on the company’s activities;
- accounting, tax and HR support after launch;
- contracts, GDPR, IP and corporate support for the company’s activities.
How is a BV registered in the Netherlands?
A BV is incorporated on the basis of a notarial deed of incorporation. The specific procedure depends on the composition of the founders, governance structure, type of activity, sources of funding and the notary’s requirements for foreign documents.
01
Business model and structure analysis
We determine the founders, director, beneficial owners, share distribution, business activities, countries of operation, expected payments and the need for an account, VAT or licences.
02
Preparation of documents for the notary
We prepare documents for the founders and directors, the corporate structure, information on the source of funds, a description of activities and other materials required for identification and notarial compliance.
03
Notarial incorporation of the BV
The Dutch notary prepares the deed of incorporation and articles of association, records the capital structure, governance arrangements and shareholders’ rights, and prepares the shareholders’ register.
04
KVK and UBO registration
The notary registers the company, directors and ultimate beneficial owners. The data are forwarded to Belastingdienst, which determines the tax obligations and, where taxable VAT activities exist, assigns the relevant numbers.
05
Account, accounting and operational launch
After registration, we prepare the company for banking compliance, help consider a bank or EMI, arrange accounting, tax processes, contracts and other operational matters.
Which documents are required?
The exact list is determined by the notary, taking into account citizenship, place of residence, ownership structure and the risk level of the business model. Foreign documents may require translation, an apostille or another form of certification.
- passports or IDs of founders, directors and UBOs;
- proof of residential address of participants in the structure;
- company name and alternative options;
- ownership structure and share distribution;
- description of the business model, goods or services;
- countries of operation, types of clients and counterparties;
- information on the source of funds and company financing;
- projected turnover and payments for bank KYC/AML;
- information on licences, VAT, personnel and accounting, where required after launch.
Share capital, address and UBO
Share capital
A BV can be incorporated with capital starting from €0.01. However, the capital structure should correspond to the actual funding model, plans for attracting investors and banking compliance requirements.
Registered office
The company requires an address in the Netherlands for KVK registration and official correspondence. The format of the address should correspond to the nature of the company’s activities.
UBO register
When incorporating a BV, information must be disclosed about individuals who own or effectively control the company. The information must be updated when ownership or control changes.
Corporate account and KYC/AML
Registration of a BV does not guarantee the automatic opening of an account. A bank or payment institution separately reviews the founders, UBOs, directors, source of funds, business model, geography of activities, counterparties and projected transactions.
For an international structure, it is particularly important to explain why the company is being incorporated specifically in the Netherlands, where the clients will be located, how income will be generated and who will actually manage the business.
How we assist with the account
- analyse the business model and future payments;
- help identify a suitable bank or EMI;
- prepare a description of the company’s activities and structure;
- prepare documents concerning the UBO, sources of funds and origin of capital;
- support questionnaires and responses to compliance requests;
- help organise communication with the financial institution.
Taxes in the Netherlands
The tax burden depends on profit, type of activity, ownership structure, transactions with related parties, method of income distribution and the company’s place of effective management. The basic benchmarks as of 2026 are set out below.
| Tax or regime |
Rate |
Comment |
| Corporate income tax |
19% |
For the portion of taxable profit up to €200,000. |
| Corporate income tax |
25.8% |
For the portion of taxable profit exceeding €200,000. |
| Standard VAT |
21% |
Applies to most goods and services. |
| Reduced VAT |
9% |
Applies to specified categories of goods and services. |
| Zero VAT rate |
0% |
May apply to certain international and cross-border transactions. |
| Innovation Box |
9% |
Preferential rate for qualifying innovation profits where the applicable requirements are met. |
| Dividend withholding tax |
15% |
The actual burden may vary depending on the structure, the recipient’s residence and international treaties. |
Innovation Box does not apply automatically
The existence of software, a patent or other IP does not in itself guarantee the 9% rate. The company must independently conduct qualifying R&D activities, maintain separate records of income and expenses, comply with the requirements of the regime and, as a rule, have appropriate evidence of innovative activity.
Post-registration support
After the BV is entered in the register, the company must maintain accounting records, file tax returns, keep corporate information up to date and submit annual financial statements to the KVK. The scope of obligations depends on the company’s size and activities.
Accounting and reporting
Transaction accounting, VAT returns, corporate income tax, payroll and preparation of annual financial statements.
Corporate services
Changes of director, address, business activities and ownership structure, issuance or transfer of shares and UBO updates.
Contracts, IP and GDPR
Contracts with clients, suppliers, employees and investors, formalisation of intellectual property and personal data protection.
KYC/AML and sanctions compliance
Preparation of documents for banks, counterparty screening, confirmation of sources of funds and support with compliance requests.
When additional licences are required
Registration of a BV does not itself grant the right to conduct regulated financial, payment, investment, insurance or crypto-related activities. Before launch, it is necessary to separately determine whether the business requires a licence, authorisation, notification or other interaction with the AFM, DNB or another regulator.
Crypto-asset services are subject to the MiCAR requirements applicable to Crypto-Asset Service Providers. Such a project requires separate regulatory analysis rather than merely registering a Dutch company.