Set up a Dutch BV, branch office or subsidiary with clear legal, tax and accounting support. NetherBridge Partners helps foreign founders and international companies manage Dutch company formation, notary coordination, KVK registration, VAT, banking preparation, payroll and ongoing compliance.
For most international entrepreneurs, company formation in the Netherlands means choosing the right structure, preparing director and shareholder documents, arranging a Dutch business address, signing the notarial deed and registering the company with the Dutch Business Register at KVK.
To form a company in the Netherlands, you choose a legal structure, prepare the required director and shareholder documents, arrange a Dutch business address and register the business with KVK. For a Dutch BV, a civil-law notary prepares and signs the deed of incorporation and articles of association, after which the company is registered in the Dutch Business Register. The Dutch Tax Administration then reviews the company for VAT and other tax obligations.
A practical overview of the points international founders usually want to know before starting the Dutch company registration process.
| Topic | What you need to know |
|---|---|
| Most common legal form | The Dutch BV is often used by international entrepreneurs, investors and foreign companies expanding into the Netherlands. |
| Notary requirement | A Dutch BV is incorporated through a Dutch civil-law notary. The notary prepares the deed of incorporation and articles of association. |
| Minimum BV capital | A Dutch BV can be incorporated with very low starting capital, often at least €0.01. |
| Dutch business address | A company registered in the Dutch Business Register generally needs a Dutch address that fits the business activity and registration requirements. |
| KVK registration | Companies and legal entities in the Netherlands must be registered in the Dutch Business Register of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, known as KVK. |
| VAT assessment | After registration, the Dutch Tax Administration assesses whether the company is an entrepreneur for VAT purposes. |
| Corporate income tax 2026 | 19% on taxable profit up to €200,000 and 25.8% on taxable profit above €200,000. |
| Foreign ownership | Foreign founders and international companies can set up a Dutch company, subject to the right documents, compliance checks and structure review. |
| Remote incorporation | Remote preparation and signing by power of attorney may be possible, depending on the notary, identity checks and document requirements. |
| Bank account | A business bank account is usually needed to operate, receive payments and manage accounting, but bank onboarding is a separate process from incorporation. |
Factual references: Business.gov.nl BV guidance, Business Register guidance, Articles of association guidance, VAT guidance, Government.nl corporate tax guidance.
The exact route depends on whether you are setting up a Dutch BV, branch, subsidiary, foundation or another structure. For many international founders, the practical process looks like this.
Decide whether a Dutch BV, branch, subsidiary, holding company, operating company or another structure fits your ownership, liability, tax and commercial plans.
Clarify what the company will do in the Netherlands. Some sectors need licences, permits, registrations or professional qualifications before trading.
The trade name should not be misleading or too similar to existing names. Trademark protection may also be relevant if the brand will be used commercially.
A Dutch registration address is generally needed for KVK registration. The address should match the company's real activity and practical operating needs.
Collect passport copies, proof of address, background information and, where relevant, corporate extracts, shareholder registers, UBO information and legalised documents.
For a BV, the civil-law notary performs identity, ownership and compliance checks before preparing the deed of incorporation and articles of association.
The incorporation deed is signed before the notary. In many foreign-founder cases, signing can be arranged remotely through power of attorney if accepted by the notary.
After incorporation, the company is registered in the Dutch Business Register. The company receives a KVK number and becomes officially visible as a Dutch business.
KVK details are shared with the Dutch Tax Administration. VAT, corporate income tax and payroll tax obligations depend on structure, activity and operations.
After registration, most companies need ongoing accounting, invoicing, VAT returns, annual accounts, Dutch tax compliance, annual tax filings, bank onboarding and a compliance calendar.
A Dutch BV, or besloten vennootschap, is a private limited company. It is one of the most commonly used legal structures for foreign founders, startups, holding companies and international groups that want a separate Dutch legal entity.
The BV has shareholders and directors. The capital is divided into shares, and the BV is generally treated as a separate legal entity from its shareholders. This makes it a practical structure for contracts, investors, local operations, subsidiaries and holding arrangements.
If you are comparing a BV with other legal forms, our guide to Dutch business structures explains how common options differ. For founders considering a holding and operating company setup, Dutch holding company tax planning should also be reviewed before incorporation.
NetherBridge Partners supports both incorporation and the practical setup needed to start operating after the company is formed.
Advice on whether a Dutch BV, branch, subsidiary, holding company or operating company is the right structure for your goals.
Coordination with the Dutch civil-law notary, document preparation, shareholder details, UBO information, signing process and legal and company secretarial support where needed.
Support with the Dutch Business Register process, company registration information and follow-up corporate governance and registry services.
Guidance on VAT, corporate income tax, payroll tax, tax numbers, administration duties and VAT registration for foreign directors where relevant.
Help preparing for bank account checks, business activity questions, document requests, accounting setup, invoicing and payment processes.
Bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual accounts, corporate tax filings, payroll administration and compliance calendar support.
The best structure depends on ownership, tax position, liability, governance needs, funding plans and long-term business goals in the Netherlands.
| Structure | Best suited for | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch BV Formation | Foreign founders, startups, private companies, holding companies, operating companies and Dutch subsidiaries. | A flexible private limited company structure with shareholders and directors. This is often the preferred option for international entrepreneurs setting up in the Netherlands. |
| Holding BV + Operating BV | Founders who want to separate ownership, dividends, assets, intellectual property or future investments from day-to-day business risk. | A holding structure can be useful, but it adds setup, accounting and compliance work. It should be reviewed from both tax and commercial perspectives. |
| Dutch Branch Registration | Foreign companies that want to operate in the Netherlands through an existing overseas legal entity. | A branch is not a separate Dutch legal entity. It operates as an extension of the foreign company and is commonly used for market entry or local operations. |
| Dutch Subsidiary Formation | International companies that want a separate Dutch legal entity for local contracts, staff, banking, tax registration and long-term expansion. | A subsidiary is usually set up as a Dutch BV owned by a foreign parent company. It provides a clearer local presence than a branch. |
| Eenmanszaak / Sole Proprietorship | Individual entrepreneurs with simpler activities who do not need a separate legal entity or limited liability structure. | No notary is usually needed, but it does not provide the same limited-liability profile as a BV and may not suit foreign corporate expansion. |
| Dutch NV Formation Service | Larger companies, businesses with formal governance needs, investor-focused structures and companies that may need a public limited company form. | A Dutch NV is a public limited company. It is usually more formal than a BV and requires higher starting capital. |
| Dutch Private Foundation | Private structuring, governance planning, asset holding, succession planning and specific legal or administrative purposes. | A Dutch private foundation can be useful where a structure without shareholders is needed. The right use depends on the legal, tax and governance purpose. |
| Dutch NGO / Charity / Non-Profit | Charitable organisations, non-profit initiatives, mission-driven projects, foundations and international organisations expanding activities into the Netherlands. | A Dutch non-profit or charity structure needs careful setup around purpose, governance, registration, tax position and compliance requirements. |
A straightforward Dutch BV can often be prepared and incorporated within 1 to 2 weeks after the structure, KYC and documents are complete. More complex structures may take longer because of legalisation, translations, foreign corporate shareholders, notary availability or banking requirements.
Once you decide to proceed with company formation, we collect information and documentation for the involved directors, shareholders, UBOs and companies. Requirements can vary based on your structure, country of residence and notary review.
Please prepare the documents below. Foreign documents may need legalisation, apostille or translation depending on the country and notary requirements.
The cost depends on your legal structure, shareholder setup, documentation and post-incorporation needs. NetherBridge Partners provides a tailored quote after reviewing your structure and business activity.
A Dutch company formation budget can include notary work, KVK registration, document legalisation or apostille, translations, address arrangements, advisory support, VAT and tax setup, accounting onboarding and bank account preparation. A simple BV with individual shareholders is usually easier to quote than a BV with a foreign corporate shareholder, multiple UBO layers or a holding and operating company structure.
| Cost factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Legal form | A Dutch BV, branch office, subsidiary, foundation or holding structure can involve different setup work, documents and compliance steps. |
| Shareholder structure | Individual shareholders are usually simpler than foreign corporate shareholders, multi-layer structures or nominee-style arrangements. |
| Notary work | A Dutch BV requires notarial incorporation, articles of association, formal company documents, identity checks and signing coordination. |
| Legalisation and apostille | Foreign documents may need legalisation, apostille or translation depending on the country, document type and notary requirements. |
| Tax and VAT setup | The company may need VAT, corporate income tax and payroll tax assessment after registration, depending on business activity and operating model. |
| Registered address | A Dutch registration address is generally needed. Office, substance and correspondence arrangements can affect tax and banking questions. |
| Post-incorporation services | Accounting, payroll, annual accounts, VAT returns, corporate tax filings and management reporting are often needed after setup. |
Send us your shareholder structure, business activity and preferred setup. NetherBridge Partners will outline the practical steps, required documents and expected scope before work begins.
Foreign entrepreneurs can often incorporate a Dutch company without being Dutch residents. Ownership and residence are separate matters: you may be able to own shares in a Dutch BV from abroad, while living or working in the Netherlands may require a separate immigration route.
For non-EU founders, the main points to review are the shareholder and director documents, Dutch address, notary identity checks, business activity, tax registration, banking requirements and whether the founder will physically work from the Netherlands.
You can also read our guide on how to start a business in the Netherlands as a foreign entrepreneur for more detail on residence, registration and practical setup. For international groups entering Europe, company formation is often part of a wider strategic advisory and market entry process.
We do not only help create the company. We help prepare it to operate, report, hire, invoice and stay compliant.
Formation, tax, accounting, payroll and operational setup are coordinated through one advisory partner.
We support structures involving foreign individual shareholders, foreign parent companies, remote notary signing, apostilled documents, UBO checks, VAT assessment and post-incorporation bookkeeping.
Your company setup is reviewed with future VAT, tax, payroll, accounting and banking obligations in mind.
This guide is prepared by NetherBridge Partners’ corporate and tax support team for international founders considering Dutch BV formation, KVK registration, VAT, accounting and post-incorporation compliance.
Updated in May 2026 to reflect current Dutch company formation, KVK registration, VAT and corporate tax considerations. Official references are included for key legal and tax points.
Yes. Foreign entrepreneurs and international companies can form a company in the Netherlands. The exact process depends on your residence position, company structure, documents, business activities, Dutch address and whether the company will be managed locally or from abroad.
The Dutch BV is the most common structure for many international founders because it is a private limited company with shares, directors and shareholders. It is often used for startups, subsidiaries, operating companies and holding structures.
Yes. A Dutch BV is incorporated through a Dutch civil-law notary. The notary prepares the deed of incorporation and articles of association, performs identity and compliance checks and usually arranges registration with KVK after signing.
A straightforward Dutch BV can often be prepared and incorporated within 1 to 2 weeks after the structure, KYC and required documents are complete. Foreign corporate shareholders, legalisation, apostille, translation, complex ownership chains or notary availability can extend the timeline.
The cost depends on the legal form, notary work, shareholder structure, document legalisation, translations, address requirements and post-incorporation support. NetherBridge Partners provides a tailored quote after reviewing the shareholder structure, business activity and preferred setup.
Yes. A Dutch BV can be incorporated by one person. The same person can be both shareholder and director, or the BV can be structured with multiple shareholders, directors or legal entities depending on the business setup.
A Dutch BV can be incorporated with very low starting capital, often at least EUR 0.01. In practice, the right capital amount should also consider banking, commercial credibility, shareholder arrangements and expected operating expenses.
In many cases, the preparation can be handled remotely and signing may be arranged through power of attorney or another notary-approved process. Whether travel is needed depends on the notary, identity checks, documents, bank requirements and shareholder structure.
Yes. A company registered in the Dutch Business Register generally needs a Dutch address. This can be a suitable office, business address or other accepted address, depending on the business model and KVK requirements.
A virtual office or registered business address may be possible in some situations, but it must be suitable for the company's real activities and accepted for registration, tax and banking purposes. Substance, correspondence, lease terms and business activity should be reviewed before registration.
No, not always. You do not necessarily need a Dutch residence permit simply to own shares in a Dutch company or incorporate a Dutch BV from abroad. However, if you want to live in the Netherlands, work from the Netherlands or personally run the business while staying in the country, you may need a valid residence permit, startup permit or another immigration route.
A local Dutch director is not generally required merely to incorporate a Dutch BV. However, management location, tax substance, banking acceptance, contracts and operational needs can make local presence or local support important in practice.
Yes. Companies and legal entities in the Netherlands must be registered in the Dutch Business Register of the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, known as KVK. After registration, the company receives a KVK number and becomes officially visible in the Dutch business register.
After KVK registration, the company receives a KVK number and the relevant details are shared with the Dutch Tax Administration. Depending on the company's activities, the company may receive VAT details and may need to arrange bookkeeping, payroll, tax filings and annual accounts.
VAT depends on your business activities. After registration, the Dutch Tax Administration assesses whether the company is an entrepreneur for VAT purposes. If the company is VAT liable, it will receive the relevant VAT details for invoicing and tax compliance.
After KVK registration, a Dutch company usually receives a KVK number and, for many legal entities, an RSIN. The Dutch Tax Administration then reviews the company for VAT and other tax obligations based on its structure and activities.
A Dutch or European business bank account is usually needed for practical operations, receiving payments, paying suppliers and managing accounting. Bank onboarding is separate from incorporation and can require additional KYC, business activity information and proof of ownership.
Your company name should be clear, not misleading and not too similar to existing trade names or protected brands. Before incorporation, it is useful to check whether the preferred name is available and whether separate trademark protection may be needed.
Not always. Many consulting, trading, holding and service activities can start after registration, but some sectors require additional licences, permits, registrations or professional qualifications. This may apply to financial services, employment services, healthcare, transport, food, construction and other regulated activities.
Yes. Dutch companies usually need to register their ultimate beneficial owners, known as UBOs. A UBO is a person who ultimately owns or controls the company, for example through shares, voting rights or other control.
A Dutch BV may deal with corporate income tax, VAT, wage tax if it has employees, and dividend withholding tax if profits are distributed to shareholders. For 2026, the Dutch corporate income tax rate is 19% on taxable profits up to EUR 200,000 and 25.8% above that threshold.
A Dutch BV is a separate legal entity, while a branch is an extension of an existing foreign company. A BV is often preferred for a long-term Dutch presence, local contracts, separate liability, investors or holding structures. A branch may be suitable when a foreign company wants to operate in the Netherlands without creating a separate Dutch entity.
A subsidiary is usually a separate Dutch legal entity, often a BV owned by a foreign parent company. A branch is not separate from the foreign company. The choice affects liability, contracts, tax registration, banking, reporting and how the business is presented to Dutch clients and partners.
Yes. NetherBridge Partners can support bookkeeping, VAT returns, annual accounts, payroll administration, management reporting and corporate income tax compliance after the company has been incorporated.
NetherBridge Partners helps you move from company formation to full operational readiness, with practical support for incorporation, tax, VAT, banking preparation, payroll and ongoing compliance.
NetherBridge Partners specialises in supporting entrepreneurs with the incorporation of a Dutch Limited Liability Company (BV), as well as providing accounting, legal, tax, and advisory services in the Netherlands.
