Netherlands
Netherlands Company Registration | Set Up a BV in the Netherlands
Planning Netherlands company registration, or want to set up a company in the Netherlands to enter Europe? The most common entity is the private limited company (BV). A Dutch civil-law notary draws up the deed of incorporation, then the company is registered with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) and its ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) are filed, and it receives a KVK number. Shareholders and directors can be foreign individuals or foreign companies and do not have to live in the Netherlands.
With Europe’s largest port in Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport, an open trading tradition, a stable legal system and the participation exemption, the Netherlands has long been a popular location for multinationals’ European headquarters, holding companies and logistics centers. NSS Group (戰國策集團) offers a one-stop Netherlands company registration service, from structure planning, the notary, KVK registration and tax setup to bank account opening, and helps companies from abroad set up in the Netherlands and enter the EU market.
At the gateway to continental Europe, with Europe’s largest port, the Port of Rotterdam, and a major air hub, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, connected by a dense logistics network
Companies can discuss future investments and transactions with the Dutch tax authorities in advance and obtain a legally binding tax ruling, which gives complex international tax planning a high degree of certainty
More than 90% of Dutch people speak English fluently, and the workforce is highly skilled, which makes running an international business much easier
for Europe?
The Netherlands’ appeal is broad. Its core strengths are:
To set up a company in the Netherlands, the most common entity is the private limited company (Besloten Vennootschap, or BV). Since the Flexible BV Act took effect in 2012, the former minimum capital of 18,000 euros no longer applies and the formation process is more flexible. The key steps to register a Dutch company are the notarial deed of incorporation, KVK registration and UBO filing, tax and VAT setup, and opening a bank account.
NSS Group connects you with Dutch notaries, tax advisors and corporate service providers and helps you confirm the company structure and documents, so every step of setting up in the Netherlands is clear and compliant.
Search the name in the KVK business register to avoid confusion with existing trade names, and confirm the shareholders, directors, shareholdings and capital structure.
A Dutch BV must be formed by a deed of incorporation drawn up by a notary (including the articles of association), and the identity of shareholders and directors must be verified (KYC).
The notary registers the company in the KVK business register and files its ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) at the same time, and the company receives a KVK number. The registration fee in 2026 is €85.15.
After KVK registration, complete the tax registration and VAT number setup as notified by the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst). If you hire staff, you also register for payroll tax.
Apply for a Dutch or European bank account with the company documents and complete KYC, and arrange bookkeeping, annual financial reporting and a registered address.
service
- Company name search and reservation
- Preparation and filing of registration documents
- Drafting of governing documents
- Collection of the registration certificate
- Advice on choosing Dutch and European banks
- Account opening document preparation
- Appointment booking and accompaniment
- Post-opening support
- Registered address
- Company secretary appointment
- Annual filing services
- Document custody and management
- Bookkeeping
- Tax filing and planning
- Financial statement preparation
- Audit arrangement
- Trademark search and assessment
- Trademark application filing
- Trademark maintenance and renewal
- Infringement protection advice
- Company change filings
- Share transfer support
- Company deregistration
- Legal advisory support
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Good customer service is key to a successful business. We include a free AI customer service system that answers customer questions in real time and raises customer satisfaction.
A professional, attractive website is your company’s storefront online. We offer full web design services so your site looks good and works well.
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- Company name search and structure planning
- Notarial deed of incorporation and articles of association
- KVK registration and UBO filing
- Tax and VAT registration support
- Registered address service for the first year
Official KVK registration fee: €85.15 (2026). Notary fees and the advisory fee are quoted based on the company structure, number of shareholders and scope of service. See the fee breakdown below. There are no hidden fees.
Netherlands company formation cost: Netherlands company registration fee breakdown
The total cost of registering a Dutch company is made up of official fees, notary fees and ongoing maintenance services. The 2026 official fees and how each cost is calculated are listed below so you can check quotes line by line.
| Item | Fee | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| KVK registration fee | €85.15 (one-time) | Per the KVK fee schedule from January 1, 2026. When a BV is formed, the notary usually registers it and the fee appears on the notary's invoice. |
| Notarial deed of incorporation | Quoted by the notary | A Dutch BV must be formed by a deed of incorporation drawn up by a notary (including the articles of association). The fee depends on the notary and the company structure. |
| UBO (ultimate beneficial owner) filing | Done with the KVK registration | A BV must file its ultimate beneficial owners (UBO). Without this filing, KVK cannot complete the registration. |
| Share capital | No high statutory minimum | Since the Flexible BV Act took effect in 2012, the former minimum capital of 18,000 euros no longer applies, so capital can be set to fit your business needs. |
| Registered address, bookkeeping and annual filing | Quoted by service | Depends on whether you need a local address, how often you keep books, how many VAT returns you file and the annual financial statements. |
| NSS Group advisory fee | Written quote after a free assessment | Based on the shareholder structure, number of directors, whether you need bank account opening and tax planning. Every item is listed in the quote, with no hidden fees. |
Official fees follow KVK notices and may change each year. The latest KVK and notary fees prevail.
Netherlands company tax: corporate income tax, VAT and dividends
After you set up a company in the Netherlands, the main taxes are corporate income tax and value added tax (VAT). If the Dutch company holds shares in other companies, the participation exemption and dividend withholding tax are also key planning points.
| Tax | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate income tax | 19% / 25.8% | 19% on taxable profit up to €200,000 and 25.8% on the excess. |
| Value added tax (VAT) | 21% / 9% | The general rate is 21%. Certain goods and services such as food, medicines and books are taxed at 9%. Exports and other cross-border transactions may be taxed at 0%. |
| Dividend withholding tax | 15% | Withheld by the Dutch company when it pays dividends. It can be reduced under a tax treaty or the participation exemption conditions. |
| Participation exemption | Holding of 5% or more | When the conditions are met, dividends and capital gains a Dutch company receives from subsidiaries are exempt from corporate income tax. This is the main advantage of a Dutch holding company. |
Tax rates follow notices from the Dutch Tax Administration and KVK. For your own case, have a tax advisor review your actual structure.
Dutch BV or branch: which should you choose?
Foreign companies setting up in the Netherlands usually choose one of two ways: form a Dutch BV (private limited company), or have the parent company register a branch in the Netherlands.
| Item | Dutch BV (private limited company) | Dutch branch of a foreign company |
|---|---|---|
| Legal status | Separate legal entity; shareholders have limited liability | Not a separate legal entity; the parent company is liable |
| How it is set up | Notarial deed of incorporation, KVK registration and UBO filing | The parent company registers the Dutch branch with KVK |
| Tax | Dutch tax resident; can use the participation exemption and tax treaties | Income from Dutch operations is taxed in the Netherlands |
| Best suited for | Long-term EU business, a European holding company, or when a local legal entity is needed to sign contracts | Testing the market first, managed directly by the parent company |
These are general principles. Choose based on your business model, contract counterparties and tax planning.
What foreign founders and directors should know about setting up a company in the Netherlands
- Shareholders and directors can be foreign individuals or foreign companies: Registering a Dutch company does not require directors to live in the Netherlands, and foreign companies or individuals can be shareholders and directors.
- Running the business from the Netherlands needs a residence permit: If a director plans to move to the Netherlands to run the business in person, they must apply to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) for a self-employed residence permit, or for a start-up residence permit with the help of a facilitator recognized in the Netherlands.
- Bank account opening is strict: Banks ask about the business activities, source of funds and counterparties, and some banks require directors to verify their identity in person or by video call.
- Keep UBO information correct and up to date: When the shareholding or ultimate beneficial owners change, the register must be updated as well.
- Watch the substance requirements: If the Dutch company is used as a holding company or to apply a tax treaty, where management decisions are made and how operations are actually arranged affect its tax treatment.
Further reading
Sources: KVK: how fees are set and the 2026 fee schedule; KVK: corporate income tax; Dutch Tax Administration: VAT rates; Dutch Tax Administration: dividend withholding tax; KVK: registering a Dutch BV; IND: start-up residence permit. This page is general information, not legal or tax advice.
How long does it take to set up a company in the Netherlands?
What documents do I need to set up a company in the Netherlands?
To set up a Netherlands company, you usually prepare the following first:
- 1. Identity documents for shareholders, directors and ultimate beneficial owners
- 2. Proof of address from the last three months and contact details
- 3. Netherlands company name, entity type and registered address arrangement
- 4. A description of the business model, main trading regions and source of funds
- 5. Shareholding percentages, director appointments, KYC and required authorization documents
Do I need to be in the Netherlands in person to set up a company?
Most of the Netherlands company setup can be done remotely through document preparation, authorized signing and a local agent, so you do not need to be there in person for the whole process. However, bank account opening, identity verification, special licenses or certain government procedures may require directors, shareholders or authorized persons to attend in person, join a video call or provide extra documents. We confirm the requirements in advance and help you arrange them.
What tax and filing obligations does a Netherlands company have?
- 1. Corporate income tax, value added tax (VAT) and dividend withholding tax
- 2. Annual filings, company registration upkeep, registered agent or secretarial services
- 3. Accounting records, audit, and economic substance or beneficial ownership maintenance
What businesses and structures suit a Netherlands company?
Who can help me register a company in the Netherlands?
NSS Group (go.ai.com.tw) can help. We provide one-stop support from pre-incorporation assessment to post-incorporation maintenance, reducing uncertainty in cross-border setup and compliance.
Our main services include:
- 1. Netherlands entity type and structure assessment
- 2. Company name search, document preparation and registration filing
- 3. Bank account opening, KYC and cross-border payment documents
- 4. Bookkeeping, tax filing and annual compliance
- 5. Changes to shareholders, directors, address, shares and company details
- 6. Trademark registration, contract review and intellectual property planning
- 7. Website build, digital marketing and AI customer service setup
- 8. Ongoing business advisory and cross-border business support
We arrange your Netherlands company setup, maintenance and ongoing support based on your industry, customer locations, banking needs and tax planning, so you can focus on growing your market.