- Knowledge
Advantages of Dutch company registration
1. StrategyGeographic locationplace
Located in the core of the European continent, adjacent to Germany and Belgium, with Rotterdam Port (the largest port in Europe) and Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the logistics network is well-developed.
2. Tax incentives
Corporate income tax: tiered tax rates of 19% (profit ≤ 200000 euros) and 25.8% (profit>200000 euros).
Value added tax (VAT): The standard tax rate is 21%, and some goods (such as food and books) are subject to a low tax rate of 9%.
Tax treaty: Signed double taxation avoidance agreements with 100 countries, allowing dividends, interest, and royalties to enjoy low withholding tax.
Innovation incentives: R&D tax credits (such as the WBSO program) can reach up to 56%.
3. Business friendly environment
No foreign exchange control, foreign investment can hold 100% of the shares, and enterprise profits can be freely remitted.
As a member state of the European Union, products and services can reach 500 million consumers.
4. International reputation
The globally recognized transparent governance and rule of law environment is suitable for building an international brand.
1、 Types of Dutch companies
01. Private Limited Liability Company (BV)
characteristic:
-The most common form is that shareholder liability is limited to the amount of capital contribution
-No minimum registered capital requirement (recommended 1 euro)
-One shareholder/director is sufficient
Applicable scenarios: Small and medium-sized enterprises, cross-border e-commerce, holding companies
02. Public Limited Liability Company (NV)
characteristic
-Can be listed for financing, shareholders can freely transfer their shares
-Minimum registered capital of 45000 euros
-Two or more directors are required
Applicable scenarios: Large enterprises and entities planning to go public
03. Branch
characteristic:
-Extension institutions of foreign companies without independent legal personality
-Tax and parent company merger declaration
Applicable scenarios: Regional headquarters of multinational corporations
04. Cooperative
characteristic:
-Membership based organization, profits are distributed based on contributions
-No shareholder concept, suitable for agriculture and joint procurement
Applicable scenarios: Agricultural cooperatives, supply chain alliances
2、 Core Requirements for Dutch Company Registration
01. Requirements of Shareholders and Directors
At least one shareholder (without nationality restrictions) is allowed, and corporate shareholders are allowed.
At least one director (who may be a non resident, but it is recommended to appoint a local tax resident for compliance).
02. Registered address
Actual office address in the Netherlands must be provided (virtual office can be rented).
03. Registered capital
BV does not have a minimum registered capital requirement, but must declare the share capital (usually set at 1 euro) in the articles of association.
04. Business Scope
The business content needs to be clarified, and some industries (finance, pharmaceuticals) require additional licenses.
3、 Dutch company registration materials
（1） Shareholder/Director Information
Copy of passport or ID card (notarized for non EU citizens).
Proof of address (water and electricity bills or bank statements from the past 3 months).
（2） Articles of Association
Drafted by a Dutch notary public, including company name, share capital, business scope, etc.
（3） Approval of Company Name
Provide 3 alternative names for plagiarism detection through the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK).
（4） Proof of Registered Address
Lease agreement or virtual office service agreement.
4、 Dutch company registration process
Step 1: Name search (1 working day)
Log in to the official website of the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) to verify the availability of the name.
Step 2: Notarize the company's articles of association (1 week)
Entrust Notaris in the Netherlands to draft and notarize the articles of association, and have shareholders sign the documents.
Step 3: Business Registration (3-5 working days)
The notary office submits a registration application to KVK and obtains the company registration number (RSIN) and business registration number (KVKnummer).
Step 4: Tax registration (completed synchronously)
Automatically obtain a value-added tax number (BTWnummer), and taxable enterprises need to declare value-added tax on a monthly/quarterly basis.
Step 5: Open a bank account (1-2 weeks)
Directors can visit Dutch banks such as ING and ABN AMRO for face-to-face interviews, or open accounts remotely via video conferencing (supported by some banks).
5、 Precautions for Dutch company registration
1. Tax compliance
Keep financial records for at least 7 years and cooperate with the tax bureau (Belastingdienst) for random inspections.
2. Annual declaration obligation
Submit financial reports annually (simplified for small and medium-sized enterprises), with a maximum penalty of € 2500 for overdue payments.
3. Employment compliance
Hiring local employees requires payment of pension and social security contributions (SVB).
4. Directors' Responsibilities
If the company goes bankrupt and the directors are at fault (such as insufficient capital), they shall bear personal responsibility.
6、 Frequently Asked Questions about Dutch Company Registration
Do we need Dutch directors?
No need, directors can be of any nationality and do not need to reside in the Netherlands.
How long does it take to register a company?
The entire process takes about 4-6 weeks, and urgent delivery can be shortened to 2 weeks (at an additional cost).
Can the registered capital be used for business operations?
Sure, BV has no minimum capital requirement, but it is recommended to keep records of capital injections for review.
How can Dutch companies enjoy tax benefits?
Through the Participation Exemption policy, subsidiary dividends and capital gains are exempt from taxation.
Is it necessary to pay taxes if the business is not actually operated?
Enterprise income tax must be declared (zero declaration), but no business can be exempted from value-added tax.
