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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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. The notary prepares the deed of incorporation, the company’s articles of association, and registers the company in the Trade Register. The company acquires legal status upon signing the deed of incorporation.

The main steps include: preparation of incorporation documents and determination of the corporate structure, signing of the notarial deed, registration with KVK and obtaining a KVK number, and automatic registration with the Tax and Customs Administration with assignment of a VAT number (BTW-ID). The state fee for registration in the Trade Register is EUR 85.15 (as of January 2026).

Following registration, the company is required to complete a number of additional steps: open a corporate bank account with a Dutch or European bank, appoint an accountant or auditor for financial reporting, and ensure compliance with anti-money laundering requirements (Wwft — Wet ter voorkoming van witwassen en financieren van terrorisme). Companies engaged in certain types of activity may also need to 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

The process of registering a BV in the Netherlands takes an average of two to four weeks: document preparation and structure approval — one to two weeks, notarial formalisation — one to two weeks, registration with KVK and obtaining tax numbers — several business days. Opening a bank account may take an additional one to three weeks depending on the chosen 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

The cost of company formation services in the Netherlands depends on the chosen legal form, the complexity of the corporate structure, and the scope of additional requirements. To receive an individual estimate, contact our specialists — we will prepare a detailed commercial proposal tailored to your business objectives and goals.

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.

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?

The full BV registration process typically takes two to four weeks, including document preparation, notarial formalisation, and obtaining a KVK number. Additional time may be required for opening a bank account.

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 can assist in selecting a registered office.

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.