Since Brexit, various UK companies and foreign founders have sought an EU address to benefit from increased access to the EU single market. The Netherlands is a typical choice and the typical entity is a Private Limited Company (BV or besloten vennootschap). It’s possible to establish a BV with a share capital of as little as €0.01 but a BV cannot be registered online. The process must be completed by a civil-law notary.
A notary requires some information in order to draft a deed. The preparation beforehand will definitely help to speed up the process. Try keeping the below-mentioned documents on hand because having them prepared can speed up your Netherlands company formation process.
Submit copies of the passports of all shareholders and directors. These documents will be used by the notary to verify the identities of the individuals, hence ensure they are up-to-date and valid.
Think of a name for your business and explain what activities your business will engage in. Before the notary is able to begin preparing any official document, run the name check on the KVK (Chamber of Commerce).
The BV has to have a registered business address in the Netherlands. The notary will verify the provided address, so it should be an actual address.
Determine who owns what shares and who manages the company. The notary then creates the deed from this data, so it is important to resolve ownership issues ahead of anything else.
It is possible to register a BV with a legal minimum capitalisation of only €0.01. If you have further business needs, you may issue more!
In 2026, the registration fee for the Chamber of Commerce is EUR 85.15. The notary can perform registration on your behalf.
Official guidance suggests that the costs of incorporation are around €500 to €1,500 due to notary fees. Final fees will vary according to the notary and any other services, so make sure to ask for quotes before agreeing.
Corporation tax is not levied on the formation of the company, but rather on the profits of the company. The corporation tax rate is 19% for profits between €0 and €200,000 and is taxed at a higher rate for profits beyond €200,000.
The BV is required to submit its financial statements to the KVK each year, thus, make sure that you budget for an accountant from the outset. Delays in submission may result in penalties.
There is no do-it-yourself option, as the incorporation deed needs to be signed by a civil-law notary. Do not wait to contact the notary.
If all the necessary documents are available, then the notary can sign the deed within a few days. Delays are typically caused by missing documents, not by communication breakdowns or other forms of bureaucracy.
All the BVs shall have to report their ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) to the UBO register maintained by KVK. Prepare to disclose personal information about those who truly have ownership and control of the company.
VAT is collected at the standard rate of 21% by the Belastingdienst (Dutch tax authority). If you are considering employing staff, an employer registration will also be required.
Generally, banks will require proof in the form of a copy of the notarial deed and your KVK number. They perform their own checks, so begin the application as early as you can.
The incorporation of a Dutch firm and getting authorisation to reside or work in the Netherlands are two separate processes. Should you want to reside in the Netherlands, kindly contact the Dutch Immigration authorities (IND) or the immigration specialist for your country of nationality and situation. Directors working remotely from the country where they are resident need to establish whether they are subject to tax there.
If the name is rejected by KVK, the entire process must be repeated. Verify the name and choose two alternatives just in case.
This is another area where remote founders tend to lose some time. Make sure your documents are not expired and check with your notary which of them need legalisation.
If the address fails the notary’s checks, there will be some delays. Take the time to review any paperwork or agreement that is being presented to sign.
Come to agreements regarding shareholding structure, positions and rights from the very beginning. It will be easier to hold this awkward discussion now than to amend the deed afterwards.
The process of incorporating a company in the Netherlands is simple if you’re well prepared. Pack the documents, be realistic about your spending, know where you stand with taxes and immigration and don’t fall for these run-of-the-mill mistakes.
