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Netherlands at a glance
Netherlands is an EU member state with its own national company forms and registration rules. Compare company types, capital, tax, timing and signing requirements before you choose. The proposed 28th Regime (EU Inc) is a separate option that is not available yet.
Company types in Netherlands
- BV (Besloten Vennootschap) The private limited company and default choice for founders. Only EUR 0.01 minimum capital, limited liability, incorporated through a Dutch civil-law notary.
- NV (Naamloze Vennootschap) The public limited company for larger businesses or freely transferable / listed shares. Requires EUR 45,000 of issued capital.
Company formation in Netherlands: key facts (last reviewed July 2026)
- Corporate tax
- Corporate income tax is 19% on the first EUR 200,000 of profit and 25.8% above that, unchanged for 2025 and 2026. A 9% effective innovation-box rate applies to qualifying R&D income.
- VAT rate
- Standard VAT (BTW) is 21%, with a reduced 9% on essentials and 0% for exports and intra-EU supplies. A small-business scheme (KOR) can exempt turnover up to EUR 20,000.
- Dividends & payroll taxes
- Dividend withholding is 15%, and director-shareholders then settle box 2 tax on distributions (roughly 24.5% up to the bracket, 31% above). Income tax tops at 49.5%, and the customary-salary rule forces a market wage before dividends flow.
- Minimum share capital
- Minimum capital for a BV is EUR 0.01, since the former EUR 18,000 minimum was abolished on 1 October 2012. An NV requires EUR 45,000.
- Setup time
- Typically about 1 to 2 weeks for non-resident founders once KYC is complete. The notary drafts the deed in a few days, the KVK Business Register entry is often done within 1 to 3 business days, and the VAT number arrives by post within about two weeks.
- Remote setup
- Yes. A BV can be incorporated fully online via a digital notarial deed over a secure audio-video connection, so no physical visit is required. Agents also handle non-resident incorporation by power of attorney.
- Director / residency
- No residency or nationality requirement: a foreign individual or entity can be director of a BV, and at least one director is required. A local director is sometimes added for tax substance but is not mandatory.
- Banking options
- Dutch banks (ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank, SNS) offer full accounts but onboarding is slow (2 to 8 weeks) and often expects a Dutch presence. Fintechs (bunq, Wise, Revolut) onboard non-residents within days.
- Our formation service
- from around €100 to €200 (estimated). You get a fixed quote in your free plan before you commit.
Incorporation goes through a Dutch civil-law notary. The Netherlands is a leading EU holding jurisdiction thanks to its participation exemption, broad tax-treaty network and the 9% innovation box, while expat staff can use the 30% ruling. Director-major shareholders must pay a customary market salary.
How to register a company in Netherlands
Step by step, this is how a Netherlands formation actually runs:
- Draft the BV deed. A Dutch civil-law notary prepares the incorporation deed; capital can be EUR 0.01.
- Execute digitally or by proxy. The deed can be passed fully online via the notary's secure audio-video procedure, or through a power of attorney.
- KVK registration. The notary registers the BV with the Chamber of Commerce; the KVK number and RSIN arrive immediately.
- Tax registrations. Corporate tax follows automatically; VAT numbers are issued by the tax administration, sometimes after substance questions for foreign-owned BVs.
- Banking and UBO. Dutch bank onboarding takes 2 to 8 weeks for non-residents; UBO details are registered at the KVK.
We can help coordinate documents, address requirements and filings with licensed local counsel. The steps and timing depend on your company and circumstances.
What company formation in Netherlands costs
Notary fees for a standard BV run EUR 400 to 900, plus the KVK registration fee of about EUR 80. Registered address services in the Netherlands are pricier than average. Accounting for a small BV typically costs EUR 100 to 250 a month, more with payroll or the 30%-ruling administration.
Plan your Dutch company formation
Tell us where you live and what you are building. Our formation service fee is from around €100 to €200 (estimated). We help you compare structures and prepare a quote with the scope, costs and expected timing. Government charges, capital and ongoing services are separate unless included in that quote.
Get your free planWho can form a company in Netherlands
Check ownership eligibility separately from director, local-address and licensing requirements. Permission to own shares does not automatically give you permission to live or work in Netherlands. The director and residency information above identifies the main formation conditions to review.
The Netherlands fits startups raising internationally, holdings using the participation exemption, and founders who want a top-tier reputation jurisdiction with full remote setup. It costs more to run than the Baltics, and the customary-salary rule surprises solo founders, so go in with advice.
After registration: what Netherlands expects each year
Annual accounts are filed with the KVK within twelve months of year end (small BVs file micro or abbreviated versions), the corporate tax return follows with extensions common, and VAT returns are quarterly. Director-shareholders must respect the customary-salary rule, a uniquely Dutch point to plan with your accountant.
Plan beyond the registration fee
Use these guides alongside the national rules for your company. The cost and filing examples cover Estonia, Ireland and Portugal.
Netherlands and the 28th Regime (EU Inc)
EU Inc, the proposed 28th Regime, would add a harmonised company form in EU member states. Registration is not open and no launch date is confirmed. A national company in Netherlands is available under existing rules, but a later EU Inc conversion would depend on the adopted law and eligibility. Read how to prepare an EU Inc company, or compare current options in company formation in Europe.
Sources and review scope
Use the linked registries, authorities and specialist references to check the requirements for your company. A review of formation costs and filings does not replace a review of your tax position.
No separate topic-level check date is recorded for this profile. Confirm the current requirements with the linked authority before proceeding.
Reference links
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner open a company in Netherlands?
No residency or nationality requirement: a foreign individual or entity can be director of a BV, and at least one director is required. A local director is sometimes added for tax substance but is not mandatory.
How long does company formation in Netherlands take?
Typically about 1 to 2 weeks for non-resident founders once KYC is complete. The notary drafts the deed in a few days, the KVK Business Register entry is often done within 1 to 3 business days, and the VAT number arrives by post within about two weeks.
What corporate tax does a company in Netherlands pay?
The headline summary is 19% / 25.8%, with standard VAT of 21%. Company form, activity, size and where the business operates can change the treatment. Read the detailed tax information and confirm the rules for your case.
Can I form a company in Netherlands remotely?
Yes. A BV can be incorporated fully online via a digital notarial deed over a secure audio-video connection, so no physical visit is required. Agents also handle non-resident incorporation by power of attorney.
What does it cost to form a company in Netherlands?
Notary fees for a standard BV run EUR 400 to 900, plus the KVK registration fee of about EUR 80. Our formation service fee is from around €100 to €200 (estimated). Government charges, capital and ongoing services must be budgeted separately unless the written quote includes them.