COREDO > Company Formation in Netherlands

Company Formation in Netherlands

Why Register a Company in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s leading jurisdictions for international business, offering access to the EU single market and one of the most developed infrastructures in Europe.

The country provides a stable economy, transparent legislation, a favourable tax environment, and an extensive network of double taxation treaties. The Netherlands attracts international companies with its strong financial sector, English-speaking business environment, and strategic location in the heart of Europe.

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Cost of the service
from 4 100 EUR

Types of Companies in the Netherlands

Foreign entrepreneurs can register a company in the Netherlands in one of the following legal forms.

BV (Besloten Vennootschap)

Private limited liability company. The most popular form for doing business in the Netherlands. A single founder is sufficient to establish a BV. The minimum share capital is formally EUR 0.01, although in practice capital is determined based on business needs. A BV is established exclusively through a civil law notary and is well suited for small, medium-sized businesses, and international holding structures.

NV (Naamloze Vennootschap)

Public limited company. This form is designed for large enterprises and companies planning to attract investment or list shares on a stock exchange. The minimum share capital is EUR 45,000, which must be fully paid up at the time of registration.

VOF (Vennootschap onder Firma)

General partnership. Established by two or more partners operating under a single trade name. Partners bear joint and several liability for the company’s obligations. Registration is carried out directly at the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) without a notary.

Eenmanszaak — sole proprietorship

The simplest form of doing business in the Netherlands. Registration is carried out directly at KVK without a notary. The entrepreneur bears full personal liability for business obligations. This form is suitable for freelancers and small businesses with a single owner.

Stichting — foundation

A non-profit legal form that can be used for social, cultural, or charitable purposes. A Stichting is established through a notary and has no members or shareholders. The foundation may engage in commercial activities if profits are directed towards its statutory objectives.

Branch of a foreign company

Foreign legal entities may open a branch in the Netherlands. The branch must be registered with the KVK Trade Register and the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). A branch is not an independent legal entity and operates on behalf of the parent company.

In addition to the forms listed above, foreign investors can establish holding structures in the Netherlands, taking advantage of the participation exemption and the country’s extensive network of tax treaties.

Company Registration Procedure

Registration of legal entities in the Netherlands is carried out through the Chamber of Commerce — KVK (Kamer van Koophandel). For BV and NV, the involvement of a civil law notary is mandatory. COREDO coordinates the entire process remotely — physical presence in the Netherlands is not required. The procedure consists of four stages.

Document preparation.

The client provides the required documents, after which COREDO specialists prepare the company’s articles of association and the complete set of documents for notarial execution and KVK registration.

01

Notarial deed of incorporation.

The deed of incorporation is executed before a Dutch civil-law notary. Physical presence is not required — the process is fully coordinated remotely.

02

Registration with KVK.

The company is entered in the Trade Register of the Kamer van Koophandel, receives its KVK registration number, and all required documentation is filed. Registration with the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst) with assignment of a VAT number (BTW-ID) takes place automatically. The state fee for registration in the Trade Register (EUR 85.15 as of January 2026) is already included in the COREDO package.

03

Post-registration support.

COREDO provides the registered address, the complete set of corporate documents, and secretarial services for the first year. Assistance with corporate bank account opening is available as an additional service.

04

Following registration, the company must maintain accounting records and file financial statements, ensure compliance with anti-money laundering requirements (Wwft — Wet ter voorkoming van witwassen en financieren van terrorisme), and, for certain types of activity, obtain additional licences or permits from relevant regulators.

Required Documents

To register a company in the Netherlands, the following documents are required:

identification documents for founders and directors (passport or identity card);

the deed of incorporation and articles of association prepared by a notary;

proof of a registered office in the Netherlands (lease agreement or certificate of ownership);

details of share capital and distribution of shares;

information on ultimate beneficial owners (UBO — Ultimate Beneficial Owner).

Foreign documents may require an apostille or legalisation, as well as a notarised translation into Dutch. Where there are multiple founders, a shareholder agreement defining the rights and obligations of the participants must also be provided.

Registration Timelines

Registering a BV with COREDO support takes 2–3 weeks from receipt of the complete set of documents. This period covers preparation of the incorporation documents, notarial formalisation, and registration with KVK with assignment of the registration number. Corporate bank account opening takes an additional 3–4 weeks from submission of the complete KYC package to the bank. For simpler forms such as Eenmanszaak or VOF, the registration procedure takes significantly less time — as a rule, registration is completed in a single visit to KVK provided a complete set of documents is available. Timelines may vary depending on the complexity of the corporate structure and the completeness of the documents provided.

Cost of Services

Company registration in the Netherlands (BV, Besloten Vennootschap)

EUR 4,100 + VAT

Remote registration of the BV, including all mandatory state fees and duties for the first year of operation.
Preparation and provision of a complete set of corporate documents.
Secretarial services for 12 months.
A registered legal address is provided separately — from EUR 2,700 per year (the cost depends on the city of registration).

Additional services

from EUR 120

Local director service — EUR 1,350 per month.
Company seal — EUR 120.
Courier delivery of documents — EUR 300.
Accounting services — from EUR 300 per month (up to 10 transactions per month, including annual financial statements; from EUR 3,600 per year).
Corporate bank account opening — EUR 3,500 (processing time 3–4 weeks).

The final cost may vary depending on the specifics of each case.

Tax System of the Netherlands

The Netherlands offers a competitive tax system with a progressive corporate tax scale. The corporate income tax rate (Vennootschapsbelasting) is 19% on profits up to EUR 200,000 and 25.8% on profits exceeding this amount. The standard VAT rate (BTW) is 21%, with a reduced rate of 9% applicable to food, pharmaceuticals, books, and a range of other goods and services.

The Netherlands has an extensive network of double taxation treaties with nearly 100 countries, which significantly reduces the tax burden for international structures. In addition, the Innovation Box regime allows an effective rate of 9% to be applied to income from qualifying innovative assets.

For holding companies, the participation exemption regime (deelnemingsvrijstelling) applies, under which dividends and capital gains from qualifying subsidiaries are exempt from corporate tax. This regime makes the Netherlands an attractive jurisdiction for establishing international holding structures. For foreign specialists recruited to work in the Netherlands, the 30% ruling (30%-regeling) may apply, allowing the employer to pay up to 30% of the salary as a tax-free allowance for extraterritorial costs.

Annual Reporting and Compliance

All companies registered in the Netherlands are required to file annual financial statements with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). For BV and NV, this includes the annual balance sheet, profit and loss account, and explanatory notes. Large and medium-sized companies are subject to mandatory audit by an independent auditor. Small enterprises meeting certain criteria for turnover, assets, and number of employees may file abbreviated financial statements.

Corporate tax returns are filed with the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst) annually. VAT (BTW) returns are generally filed quarterly. Failure to meet filing deadlines results in penalties. COREDO provides full annual compliance support for companies in the Netherlands.

Opening a Bank Account

The Netherlands has one of the most developed banking sectors in Europe: it is home to ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, and other major international institutions offering a full range of corporate banking services. There are no foreign exchange restrictions — companies can freely conduct cross-border transactions in any currency. The choice of banking partner depends on the nature of the business, expected transaction volumes, and the geography of operations.

COREDO assists with corporate bank account opening as an additional service. The cost of the service is EUR 3,500, and the account opening takes 3–4 weeks from submission of the complete KYC package to the bank. Dutch banks apply standard KYC/AML procedures, so the completeness and quality of the prepared document package directly affect the processing time.

Our Experts

The COREDO team has been operating since 2016 and possesses deep expertise in company formation across European jurisdictions.

Nikita Veremeev

Founder & NED of COREDO. Founded the company in 2016 and personally oversees the strategic development of the business across dozens of jurisdictions.

Pavel Kos

Head of Legal. Part of the COREDO team since June 2017, responsible for legal support of corporate projects and company registration.

Basang Ungunov

Lawyer. Part of the COREDO team since June 2022, specialising in legal support for company registration and structuring.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a foreigner register a company in the Netherlands?

Yes, the Netherlands imposes no restrictions on citizenship or residency for BV founders. Foreign nationals can establish a company on the same terms as country residents, subject to the standard registration procedure through a notary.

What is the minimum share capital for a BV in the Netherlands?

The minimum share capital for a BV is formally EUR 0.01. In practice, the amount of capital is determined based on business needs and counterparty requirements. For an NV (public limited company), the minimum capital is EUR 45,000.

How long does it take to register a BV in the Netherlands?

Registering a BV with COREDO support takes 2–3 weeks from receipt of the complete set of documents, including document preparation, notarial formalisation, and obtaining a KVK number. Corporate bank account opening takes an additional 3–4 weeks from submission of the complete KYC package to the bank.

How much does it cost to register a company in the Netherlands?

The COREDO BV registration package costs EUR 4,100 + VAT and includes remote registration with all mandatory state fees for the first year, preparation of a complete set of corporate documents, and secretarial services for 12 months. A registered legal address is provided separately — from EUR 2,700 per year; corporate bank account opening costs EUR 3,500.

What taxes does a company pay in the Netherlands?

Companies in the Netherlands pay corporate income tax at a rate of 19% on profits up to EUR 200,000 and 25.8% on profits exceeding this amount. The standard VAT rate is 21%. Preferential regimes are also available, including the Innovation Box with a rate of 9% for qualifying innovative income.

Is a registered office in the Netherlands required for company registration?

Yes, having a registered office in the Netherlands is a mandatory requirement for company registration. The address must be renewed annually. COREDO provides a registered legal address from EUR 2,700 per year (the cost depends on the city of registration).

What are the annual reporting requirements for a company in the Netherlands?

All BV and NV companies are required to file annual financial statements with KVK and tax returns with Belastingdienst. The scope of reporting depends on the size of the company — small enterprises file abbreviated statements, while large and medium-sized companies are subject to mandatory audit. VAT returns are filed quarterly.

Request a Consultation

COREDO specialists provide full support for the company formation process in the Netherlands — from selecting the legal form and preparing documents to obtaining a KVK number and completing tax registration. Our team will help determine the optimal corporate structure, coordinate with the notary and the bank, and ensure the company’s compliance with Dutch legislation. We have been operating since 2016 and help entrepreneurs from dozens of countries build effective business structures in Europe.