Dutch BV · 100% foreign-owned · remote

Netherlands company formation, done remotely.

Register a 100% foreign-owned Dutch BV without flying to Amsterdam. We handle the notary, KVK, UBO, tax numbers and bank onboarding in English — most companies are registered in 1–2 weeks.

Start your Dutch BV See pricing →
  • From €1,490
  • No travel needed
  • Local Amsterdam team

Quick answer

Can a foreigner open a company in the Netherlands?

Netherlands company formation is fully open to non-residents.

Yes — a foreigner can own 100% of a Dutch BV (Besloten Vennootschap) and set it up remotely. You need a Dutch civil-law notary (mandatory for a BV), a registered Dutch address, and just €0.01 minimum share capital. The KVK registration fee is €85.15, and most BVs are entered in the trade register within 1–2 weeks.

Fees as of September 2026

Quick facts

What a non-resident needs to know

The essentials before registering a Dutch BV in 2026.

  • 100%

    Foreign ownership

    Any nationality. No local partner or director required.

  • BV

    Besloten Vennootschap

    The go-to limited company for foreign founders.

  • €0.01

    Minimum capital

    Not a fee — it’s your company’s money. €1 is standard.

  • 1–2 wks

    To KVK registration

    Fully operational in 2–8 weeks (banking is the long pole).

  • Notary required

    A civil-law notary must incorporate your BV

    Unlike some EU countries there’s no DIY online route — the deed of incorporation must be executed by a Dutch notary. We handle it remotely via power of attorney.

  • 19%/25.8%

    Corporate income tax

    19% on profit up to €200,000, 25.8% above. VAT is 21% standard (9% reduced, 0% exports). KVK registration fee €85.15.

Correct as of September 2026

Choose your structure

Which Dutch entity is right for you?

Four routes into the Netherlands. For most foreign founders the BV wins on liability, credibility and 100% ownership.

Comparison of Dutch entity types
Feature BVRecommended BranchFiliaal SubsidiaryDochter-BV CVPartnership
Separate legal entity Yes — limited liability No — parent is liable Yes — independent Partial (partners liable)
100% foreign ownership Yes Yes (extension of parent) Yes Yes
Minimum share capital €0.01 None €0.01 (as a BV) None
Notary required Yes No Yes No
Can trade & invoice Yes — fully Yes Yes — fully Yes
Best for Startups, foreign founders, most businesses Testing the market, light local presence Corporates ring-fencing a parent Funds, specific partnership setups

All figures and requirements shown are correct as of September 2026.

Transparent pricing

Netherlands company formation packages

One fixed service fee — no "starting from" surprises. Government fees (KVK €85.15, notary, UBO) are separate and pass-through. See the full Netherlands company formation pricing breakdown.

Most popular

Complete BV

For single founders & standard businesses. Registered remotely, usually in 1–2 weeks.

€1,490

+ government fees (KVK, notary, UBO)

  • BV incorporation via Dutch notary
  • KVK (Chamber of Commerce) registration
  • Articles of Association drafting
  • UBO registration
  • RSIN / VAT tax registration
  • Registered Dutch address (1 year)
  • Bank account onboarding support
  • Accounting onboarding
Start with Complete →

Holding / Group

For investors, corporate shareholders, holding structures & multi-shareholder setups.

€2,490

starting price + government & notary fees

  • Everything in Complete, plus:
  • Holding + operating BV structure
  • Corporate shareholder handling (apostille & sworn translation)
  • Bespoke articles (share classes, vesting)
  • Tax-structure consultation (participation exemption, Innovation Box)
  • Priority processing
Get a Holding quote →

Compare with the market: Bolder Launch €2,350 · FirmNL €1,200–€3,500 · Healy Consultants €13,690. We publish our price — most don't.

Full cost breakdown

Netherlands company formation cost

Netherlands company formation costs depend on your route. Here's every fee itemised — statutory charges, our service fee, and ongoing costs. See the full pricing breakdown. Fees as of September 2026.

Mandatory, the same whoever you use. Not our fee.

  • KVK (Chamber of Commerce) registration€85.15
  • Civil-law notary — deed of incorporation (BV, legally required)€500 – €1,500
  • UBO registration (prep & filing)incl. – €500
  • Minimum share capital (not a fee — your money)from €0.01
  • Typical statutory floor≈ €900 – €1,500

OnDemand International's fee, on top of government fees above.

  • Complete BVAll non-resident formation steps€1,490
  • Holding / GroupInvestors, corporate shareholders, bespokefrom €2,490

Typical cost of keeping a Dutch BV running.

  • Accounting & bookkeeping (mandatory)€600 – €1,800 / yr
  • Registered / virtual office address€25 – €250 / mo
  • Annual compliance (VAT, annual accounts, CIT return)€1,500 – €3,000 / yr
  • Corporate income tax19% / 25.8% of profit

Timeline

How long does it take?

Registered in 1–2 weeks. Fully operational in 2–8 weeks.

The Netherlands company formation timeline is fast to register — banking is the long pole. As of September 2026.

  1. Days 1–3

    Docs & notary prep

    You send passports and details; we draft the deed of incorporation, articles and power of attorney for remote signing.

  2. Days 3–7

    Notary & KVK

    The civil-law notary executes incorporation; the BV is entered in the KVK trade register. RSIN tax ID is issued automatically.

  3. Week 1–2

    UBO & VAT

    UBO registration filed and VAT number requested where applicable, so you can invoice and trade inside the EU.

  4. Weeks 2–8

    Bank account

    Bank / EMI onboarding with enhanced due diligence on foreign owners — the slowest step. We prepare the file to speed approval.

  5. Ongoing

    Accounting live

    Bookkeeping and periodic VAT filings set up from day one, as required under Dutch rules.

  6. Result

    Fully operational

    Registered, tax-active and bank-ready — most foreign-owned BVs within 2–8 weeks total.

What can slow it down?

  • Bank due diligence on non-EU owners (the main delay)
  • Missing apostilles or sworn Dutch translations
  • Complex shareholder / holding structures
  • Regulated business activities needing a licence

Need it faster?

With documents ready and a clean shareholder structure, a straightforward single-founder BV can be registered in as little as 3–5 working days. Book a free call and we'll map your exact timeline.

Requirements

What you need to register a Dutch BV

Netherlands company formation has a clear checklist — one shareholder, one director of any nationality, a Dutch address, and €0.01 capital. Foreign documents need an apostille and sworn Dutch translation.

Company requirements

What your BV must have.

  • At least 1 shareholderIndividual or company, any nationality.
  • At least 1 directorAny nationality; no Dutch resident director required.
  • €0.01 minimum share capitalYour company's money, not a fee. €1 is standard practice.
  • Registered Dutch addressPhysical or a compliant virtual office. Appears on the KVK record.
  • Deed of incorporation via notaryA Dutch civil-law notary is mandatory for a BV.

Documents you'll provide

What we ask each founder for.

  • Passport for each shareholder & directorCorporate shareholders add an apostilled extract from their home register.
  • Proof of addressRecent utility bill or bank statement per person.
  • Apostilled power of attorneyLets us sign at the notary for you — no travel needed.
  • UBO detailsUltimate beneficial owners for the mandatory UBO register.
  • Source of funds & business descriptionFor bank KYC — clear answers speed up account opening.

Foreign documents need legalising

Non-Dutch documents typically need an apostille and a sworn Dutch translation before the notary and bank accept them. We arrange this for you.

FAQ

Netherlands company formation questions

How much does Netherlands company formation cost?

A standard Dutch BV costs roughly €1,200–€3,500 all-in to set up and €1,500–€3,000 a year to maintain. Government fees are separate: KVK registration €85.15, notary €500–€1,500, plus UBO. Our Complete BV service fee is €1,490. The €0.01 minimum share capital is not a fee — it is your company's own money.

Can a foreigner open a company in the Netherlands remotely?

Yes. A non-resident can own 100% of a Dutch BV and set it up entirely remotely. There is no residency requirement and no need for a Dutch resident director. We sign at the notary on your behalf using an apostilled power of attorney, so you do not need to travel.

Is a notary really mandatory for a Dutch BV?

Yes. For a BV, a Dutch civil-law notary must draft and execute the deed of incorporation and articles of association — there is no cheap online DIY route. This is the biggest structural difference from some other EU countries. We coordinate the notary remotely as part of every package.

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

A BV is usually entered in the KVK trade register within 1–2 weeks (a clean single-founder setup can be as fast as 3–5 working days). Allow a further 2–8 weeks for the corporate bank account, which involves enhanced due diligence on foreign owners — so most companies are fully operational within 2–8 weeks total.

What taxes will my Dutch company pay?

Corporate income tax is 19% on profit up to €200,000 and 25.8% above. VAT is 21% standard, with 9% reduced and 0% on exports and intra-EU supplies. Special regimes such as the Innovation Box and participation exemption may apply depending on your activity.