The Netherlands: company formation
Besloten Vennootschap · Europe
Updated on 3 November 2026 · Published under the responsibility of Jason Pivron, director · Who we are
BV in the Netherlands — company, registered office, banking file and annual upkeep, run by us, with a local correspondent where we have one.
Who this jurisdiction suits
- One of the widest tax treaty networks in the world.
- Excellent standing with commercial counterparties.
- Effective participation exemption regime for a holding company.
What it does not solve
- Some of the strictest substance criteria in Europe: a registered office alone attracts attention.
- High maintenance cost compared with other European places.
Conditions to meet
Usual capital, no legal source cited: to be checked
Usual time, from our files; to be checked.
Good, but Dutch banks scrutinise substance seriously before opening.
The Netherlands applies some of the strictest substance criteria in Europe: local effective management, accounts kept on site, real payroll. A registered office alone does not suffice there and attracts attention.
Our assessment for the Netherlands; to be checked.
Office in Amsterdam or Rotterdam, on quotation.
Our offer in the Netherlands, internal catalogue.
Registration in the Netherlands: Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Business Register. Source: kvk.nl
Services and prices
Starting prices excluding tax, government fees included.
See the other 9 services in this jurisdiction
Firm price after the call: several shareholders, indirect ownership or a regulated activity change it.
The Netherlands: what is specific to it
- Since 1 October 2012 (Flex-BV Act), the BV has no statutory minimum capital; it is entered in the KVK commercial register. Source: kvk.nl
Reviewed on 30 September 2026.
Netherlands compared with Portugal and Switzerland
| Netherlands | Portugal | Switzerland | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usual company form | BV | Lda | Sàrl · SA |
| Corporate taxation | 19 % on the lower band, headline rate above | ≈ 14.7 % · Madeira regime subject to conditions | 11.9 to 21 % all taxes combined, by canton |
| Share capital | €1 | €2 | CHF 20,000 |
| Incorporation time | 2 weeks | 10–14 days | 4–8 weeks |
| Banking access | Accessible | Accessible | Accessible |
| Substance requirement | Real presence required | Necessary, but not sufficient on its own | Real presence required |
| Our services | from 3,990 € | from 6,490 € | from 6,090 € |
To be checked against each profile. The page for Portugal → · The page for Switzerland →
Compare this jurisdiction
Registered office and premises in the Netherlands
From 1,188 €. Registered office service →
How it runs
- Scoping and identity verification
- Drafting the articles
- Signature and capital deposit
- Registration
- Account opening and start-up
For the Netherlands, the register is kept by Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Business Register and the usual time is 2 weeks.
Steps as recorded on 21 September 2026.
Group: European company · Our fees → · What we do for you →
Company formation in the Netherlands: frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a company in the Netherlands?
Company formation in the Netherlands starts at 3,990 €, excluding tax. Firm quote before signature.
How long does it take to register a company in the Netherlands?
About 2 weeks once the file is complete (usual time from our files; to be checked).
Where is a company registered in the Netherlands?
With the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Business Register (source: kvk.nl).
What is the corporate tax rate in the Netherlands?
19 % on the lower band, headline rate above (data as of 21 September 2026; source: kvk.nl). Not tax advice.
What share capital is usual in the Netherlands?
€1: usual capital, not a legal minimum; to be checked.
Why set up a company in the Netherlands?
One of the widest tax treaty networks in the world. Excellent standing with commercial counterparties. Effective participation exemption regime for a holding company.
What are the drawbacks of a company in the Netherlands?
Some of the strictest substance criteria in Europe: a registered office alone attracts attention. High maintenance cost compared with other European places.
Netherlands or Portugal or Switzerland: where do our services start?
from 3,990 € in the Netherlands; from 6,490 € in Portugal; from 6,090 € in Switzerland, excluding tax.
Netherlands or Portugal or Switzerland: how does corporate tax compare?
Netherlands, 19 % on the lower band, headline rate above; Portugal, ≈ 14.7 % · Madeira regime subject to conditions; Switzerland, 11.9 to 21 % all taxes combined, by canton; to be checked.
Netherlands or Portugal or Switzerland: which is faster to register?
Netherlands in 2 weeks; Portugal in 10–14 days; Switzerland in 4–8 weeks, usual times.
Where these figures come from
Recorded on 21 September 2026; to be checked; banking and substance: our assessment. How we source these figures →