Incorporate · Europe

Company Formation in Netherlands

Established European holding hub with a strong participation exemption. Review the legal form, tax position, treaty network and indicative cost, then talk to one team that structures it end to end.

Licensed CSP
50+ yrs combined experience
15+ jurisdictions

Corporate tax: 25.8%
VAT / GST: 21%
Formation: 1-2 weeks
Foreign ownership: 100% permitted
Tax treaties: 100+
Setup cost: USD 2,500 - 6,000

At a glance

Common entity: Private Limited Company (BV)
Formation time: 1-2 weeks
Setup cost: USD 2,500 - 6,000
Annual cost: USD 3,000 - 7,000
Foreign ownership: 100% permitted
Tax treaties: 100+

Holding companyIP and licensingTradingSaaS and technologyE-commerce

Best for

European holding structures
IP and royalty routing with substance
Trading into the EU single market

Less ideal for

Founders wanting low headline tax
Structures without genuine substance

Legal and formation

Legal system	Civil law
Common entity types	Private Limited Company (BV), Cooperative (Cooperatie)
Formation timeline	1-2 weeks
Minimum capital	EUR 0.01 (no meaningful minimum for a BV)
Foreign ownership	100% permitted
Minimum shareholders	1
Minimum directors	1
Local presence	Registered office in the Netherlands required
Public registry	Directors and beneficial owners on public and UBO registers
Audit	Small companies may be exempt

Tax profile

Corporate income tax	25.8% (19% on the first EUR 200,000)
VAT / GST	21%
Withholding, dividends	15% (exemptions apply)
Withholding, interest	0% (25.8% conditional tax to low-tax jurisdictions)
Withholding, royalties	0% (25.8% conditional tax to low-tax jurisdictions)
Capital gains	Within corporate tax; exempt under the participation exemption
Territorial system	No
CFC rules	Yes
Participation exemption	Broad participation exemption on qualifying dividends and gains (5%+ holdings)

Every figure above is indicative. Rates, thresholds, minimum capital, ownership rules and timelines change and vary by activity, licence and structure. They are confirmed with the relevant authority and in a tailored quote before you rely on them. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

How to set up in Netherlands

1
Confirm the company name and prepare the BV deed of incorporation
2
Execute the deed before a Dutch civil-law notary
3
Register with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) and the UBO register
4
Obtain a tax and VAT number from the Belastingdienst
5
Provide a registered office and open a corporate bank account

Banking reality

Dutch banks apply rigorous KYC and generally expect genuine local substance, so account opening for foreign-managed BVs can be slow, with EMIs commonly used as a practical alternative.