The Netherlands stands at # 4 worldwide for ease of doing business! 🌟
A simplified registration process, prime location, and favorable tax system make the Netherlands an attractive destination for international entrepreneurs (see also our Report on most interesting countries in Western Europe). The registration process is simple, but missing significant documentation or steps could delay your business launch for weeks, maybe even months.
Our experience with thousands of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands gives us deep insights to direct you through the business registry process effectively. We will guide you from selecting the right legal structure to finishing your KVK registration.
The Dutch business community welcomes new ventures. Let us help you understand the company registration process with simple, applicable steps to launch your startup smoothly in the Netherlands.
Understanding Dutch Company Registration Requirements
The Dutch company registration process might seem complex at first glance. Here's a breakdown of the requirements you need to register your company in Netherlands.
Legal Entity Types Available
The Netherlands gives entrepreneurs several legal structures to choose from. Popular options include:
Private Limited Company (BV) - Perfect for most international businesses, offering limited liability and flexible capital structure
Public Limited Company (NV) - Ideal for larger corporations planning public trading
General Partnership (VOF) - Suitable for multiple partners sharing unlimited liability
Branch Office Registration (Branch office) - Ideal for startups, SME, and large companies with certain local requiremetnts.
Limited Partnership (CV) - Combines active and silent partners with different liability levels
Document Checklist for Registration (in case of a Dutch BV/legal entity)
The registration process requires these key documents:
Incorporation Documents
Notarized deed of incorporation
Articles of association
Proof of identity for all directors and shareholders
Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registration forms
Additional Requirements
Bank statement showing capital deposit (if share capital is larger then 100 EUR)
Legalization of proof of identity and signatures in case of remote formation
Translation of the company statutory documents of the corporate founder/shareholder of the Dutch company, if any.
Business plan is NOT NEEDED
Residence permits (for non-EU directors) are NOT NEEDED
In case of a Branch registration in the Netherlands, starting a business is much easier, because the Dutch notary is not involved, and no share capital is relevant.
Minimum Capital Requirements
Each legal structure has specific capital requirements:
Legal Structure | Minimum Capital Required |
BV (Private Limited) | €0.01 |
NV (Public Limited) | €45,000 |
VOF/CV/Maatschap-Branch Office | No minimum required |
Most entrepreneurs prefer the BV structure's flexibility. It needs minimal starting capital and provides reliable liability protection. International businesses find this option practical to establish their presence in the Netherlands.
Note that some structures don't require minimum capital. However, adequate operational funds are vital for business success. Your business model and future growth plans should guide your choice of legal structure and original capital investment.
Preparing for KVK Registration
Our team will help you explore the practical steps to register your company with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK). We have guided thousands of entrepreneurs through this process and will prepare you for a seamless registration experience.
Choosing Your Company Name
Your company's name serves as your business identity in the Netherlands. The KVK Name Check tool helps verify if your chosen name is available. These requirements matter:
Name | Description |
Uniqueness | Must not closely resemble existing business names |
Honesty | Cannot suggest larger size/different nature than reality |
Characters | Only @, &, +, and - are permitted |
Protection | Think about trademark registration for broader protection |
Drafting Articles of Association
Starting January 2024, you can complete this process digitally with a notarial deed. Your articles of association need these elements:
Company's statutory name and registered office
Business activities description
Management structure and responsibilities
Share capital details
Appointment procedures for directors
Important: Digital notarization works well now, but traditional notarization might suit complex cases better, especially when identity verification needs extra attention.
Getting Required Permits
Our team will help you identify and secure needed permits based on your industry before completing your KVK registration. Each sector has specific requirements.
Retail and hospitality businesses usually need:
Environmental permits for physical locations
Food safety certificates for food-related businesses
Special licenses for alcohol sales
Local municipality permits
Regulated industries like finance or healthcare need specific licenses from authorities. Keep in mind that some permits must be in place before KVK registration, while you can get others later.
Our immediate dashboard lets you track permit applications and receive updates instantly. This gives you a smooth compliance process while you retain control of your business setup.
Digital Registration Process with KVK
House of Companies has made the digital registration process with KVK efficient to help you start your business in Netherlands easily. Our platform connects directly with the Netherlands business registry and ensures a continuous connection throughout the process.
Creating KVK Online Account
We help you set up your digital access to KVK through DigiD, the Dutch digital identification system. This is how it works:
Login Method | Best For | Processing Time |
DigiD App | Quick Access | Immediate |
SMS Verification | Standard Access | 2-3 minutes |
Email Verification | Backup Option | 5-10 minutes |
Important: Your registration from outside the Netherlands requires RNI (Non-Residents Records Database) registration first to get your BSN number. We'll guide you through this process.
Completing Registration Forms
Our live dashboard makes form completion simple. Here are the key steps we'll guide you through:
Basic Information Entry
Company details and trade name
Business activities description
Management structure confirmation
Address Verification
Business location verification
Correspondence address setup
Branch office details (if applicable)
UBO Registration
Ultimate beneficial owner information
Ownership structure documentation
Control relationship verification
Document Upload Guidelines
Our system makes document uploads quick and ensures your company registration moves forward without delays. We accept:
Required Formats:
PDF files for official documents
JPEG/PNG for identification documents
Maximum file size: 8MB per document
Quality Standards:
Clear, legible scans
Color copies for identification documents
Complete page visibility
You can track your registration progress live on our platform and monitor each step of starting your business in Netherlands. The system verifies your uploads automatically to ensure they meet KVK requirements before submission.
Note that some legal structures may need additional in-person verification, even with digital registration. We'll let you know right away if this applies to you and help schedule any needed appointments with the Netherlands company register.
Legal Verification Steps
The legal verification process is a significant step in your trip to establish a company in Netherlands. We have helped thousands of entrepreneurs through this phase. You will have everything perfectly prepared with our help.
Notary Requirements
A Dutch civil law notary must be part of your company registration process in Netherlands. Our platform makes this process simple with digital and traditional notarization options. Our notaries check:
Company formation deed
Articles of association
Original shareholder registry
Director appointments
Registered office address
Pro Tip: Our live dashboard lets you track your notary's progress and get instant notifications when documents are ready to sign.
UBO Registration Process
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) registration plays a vital role in your company registration in Netherlands. We have built a sophisticated yet easy-to-use system that handles this requirement quickly.
UBO TypeOwnership ThresholdRegistration Deadline | ||
Direct Owner | 25%+ shares/voting rights | Within 7 days |
Indirect Owner | 25%+ beneficial interest | Within 7 days |
Senior Manager | Ultimate control | Within 7 days |
Our platform confirms your UBO information against Dutch regulatory requirements automatically. This ensures compliance and saves your valuable time. You will receive immediate notifications if we need additional documents.
Identity Verification Methods
We provide multiple secure methods to verify the identity of all stakeholders involved in your Netherlands startup:
Digital Verification
eHerkenning for EU residents (eBranch can act as your representative)
Video identification for non-EU residents
Qualified electronic signatures
Physical Verification
In-person verification at our partner notary offices
Embassy legalization for international documents
Apostille certification for official documents
Our innovative platform simplifies these verification steps without compromising security standards. The system checks document authenticity and matches it with official databases automatically. This reduces verification time from weeks to days.
Important: We have digitized most of the process, but some legal structures might need in-person verification. We will help you determine this early so you won't face any surprises.
By utilizing our extensive network of notaries and digital verification partners, your company registration in Netherlands moves forward smoothly and meets all legal requirements. Our live tracking system keeps you informed at every step. Our expert team stands ready to help whenever you need guidance.
Bank Account and Tax Registration
A strong financial foundation will determine your business success in the Netherlands. Our platform makes bank account setup and tax registration simple and available to entrepreneurs worldwide.
Business Bank Account Setup
Our dashboard helps you set up your bank account based on your business location. Here's what you should know:
Business LocationAccount RequirementProcessing Time | ||
SEPA Zone | Existing IBAN acceptable | Immediate |
Non-SEPA | Dutch bank account required | 5-10 business days |
Netherlands Based | Local account recommended | 2-3 business days |
We work with major Dutch banks to provide our Quick Scan service that verifies your application within 5 business days. This approach has helped thousands of entrepreneurs avoid common banking setup issues.
Pro Tip: You don't need a bank account for KVK registration. However, starting the process early is wise, especially for non-SEPA businesses, as it could affect your operations.
VAT Registration Process
Our platform has transformed the VAT registration process for Netherlands startups. Your VAT registration with the Netherlands Tax Administration begins right after your KVK registration. We take care of:
VAT number applications within 10 working days
Business activities verification
Tax administration portal access setup
Compliance dashboard integration
Our automated system has cut the typical VAT registration time by 60%. This means you can start your operations much faster.
Tax Number Application
Our tax registration system handles various company identification numbers in Netherlands:
VAT Identification Number (BTW-id)
Format: NL + 9 digits + B + 2 check digits
Used for all business transactions
Generated automatically after registration
Tax Number (BTW-nummer)
Used for tax authority communications
Linked to your RSIN or BSN
Connected to our compliance calendar
Our system tracks your tax numbers and deadlines through the dashboard. You won't miss any filing or payment deadlines and can maintain compliance without expensive accountants.
Important Update: From 2024, our direct API connections to the Netherlands Tax Administration let you check your tax registration status instantly. This has reduced waiting times from weeks to days.
You can handle all tax obligations yourself through our platform. Our team provides strategic guidance when you need it. We've helped over 10,000 entrepreneurs direct their way through the Dutch tax system. The dashboard helps you stay compliant while you focus on business growth.
The process might look complex, but our platform does the heavy work. You keep full control while we make sure everything fits Dutch regulations. This is why entrepreneurs starting their business in Netherlands choose us as their partner.
Post-Registration Compliance
Congratulations on registering your company in Netherlands! Our compliance management system will help you stay on track. The dashboard gives you immediate updates about your post-registration requirements.
Dutch corporate compliance becomes easier with our manageable system. The platform tracks your filing deadlines and sends notifications. Your startup will never miss important submissions.
Here's your annual compliance calendar that we'll help you manage:
Filing Type | Deadline | Applicable To |
Annual Accounts | 12 months after financial year-end | All BVs and NVs |
Corporate Income Tax | 5 months after year-end* | All companies |
Within 30 days of quarter-end | VAT-registered businesses | |
Shareholders Register | Continuous updates | BVs and NVs |
*We can help you request an extension if needed.
Pro Tip: The platform generates preliminary reports 45 days before deadlines. This gives you enough time to review and adjust.
Corporate income tax rates for 2025 are:
19% for profits up to €200,000
25.8% for profits exceeding €200,000
The low rate was still 15% in 2022, but was increased to 19% in 2023. The rate limit was also €395,000 in 2022, but was lowered to €200,000 in 2023. This will remain unchanged for 2024 and 2025.
The adjustment of the low rate is part of a larger plan. Since 2020, a number of things have already changed. In the diagram below, you can see these changes clearly:
| 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
Low rate | 15 | 15% | 19% | 19% | 19% |
High rate | 25% | 25.8% | 25.8% | 25.8% | 25.8% |
Disc boundary | €245,000 | €395,000 | €200,000 | €200,000 | €200,000 |
Record Keeping Obligations
Our digital archiving system makes record maintenance simple. Your Netherlands company needs these documents:
Financial Records (7 years)
General ledger and accounting records
Purchase and sales administration
Bank statements and payment records
Debtor and creditor administration
Inventory records
Property-Related Documents (10 years)
Real estate documentation
Long-term contracts
Property rights records
Important Update: Our blockchain-verified digital storage launches in 2024. This solution helps entrepreneurs reduce physical storage costs while staying compliant.
Ongoing KVK Updates
The monitoring system alerts you about Netherlands company registry updates. Report changes to KVK within one week.
Changes that need immediate reporting:
Company Information Updates
Address changes
Business activity modifications
Trade name alterations
Branch office additions or closures
Management Changes
Director appointments or resignations
UBO information updates
Authorized representative modifications
Submit most updates digitally through our platform. Direct integration with the Netherlands business registry verifies your submissions instantly.
Pro Tip: The system checks your VAT returns against KVK information and flags discrepancies before they become issues.
International entrepreneurs often find compliance challenging. The Compliance Calendar helps by:
Tracking all filing deadlines
Generating automated reminders
Providing one-click document submission
Maintaining digital audit trails
Offering immediate compliance status monitoring
VAT-registered businesses benefit from our streamlined quarterly process:
Automated transaction categorization
Immediate VAT calculation
One-click return submission
Instant payment processing
The platform gives you control over compliance obligations while ensuring accuracy. Our approach has helped over 5,000 entrepreneurs maintain perfect compliance records without expensive accountants or agents.
2024 Innovation: The AI-powered document recognition system categorizes and files business records based on Dutch retention requirements. This technology reduces compliance management time by 75%.
Dutch company management comes with obligations, but our platform makes these tasks simple and manageable. You can handle everything independently with expert support available when needed.
Conclusion
Starting a business in Netherlands creates excellent opportunities for entrepreneurs worldwide. We have simplified each step of the company registration process to help you move forward confidently. Your Dutch business launch needs careful planning - from selecting your legal structure to maintaining compliance. This detailed guide will show you the way.
Our digital platform makes complex registration procedures easier, and our expert team helps you fulfill all legal requirements. Dutch business formation appeals to many entrepreneurs because of its clear process, especially when they have the right guidance and tools.
Note that your business story begins after successful company registration. Your business will thrive in the Netherlands when you monitor compliance requirements, file documents on time, and maintain proper records.
We will support your business goals at every stage. A well-planned execution of these registration steps will launch your success story in the Netherlands.
FAQs
What are the steps to register a company in the Netherlands?To register a company in the Netherlands, begin by securing a Dutch address and selecting a trade name for your business. Decide on the legal structure of your Dutch company and check if you need to register Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs). Complete the registration form and schedule an appointment with the Kamer van Koophandel (KVK). Remember to bring your lease contract for the Dutch business premises.
What does the company registration process entail?The process of registering a company typically includes reserving a company name, documenting the incorporation of the company, submitting a certificate of incorporation, and applying for a Permanent Account Number (PAN) and Tax Deduction and Collection Account Number (TAN).
How much time is required to register a company in the Netherlands?The duration to register a company in the Netherlands can vary, but it generally involves preparing the necessary documents and completing the registration procedures with the KVK.
What is the procedure for registration in the Netherlands?If you are moving to the Netherlands for work, you must register at the municipality of your residence within five days of arrival. Upon registration, you will receive a BSN (citizen service number), which is a unique number used for processing your personal data and is issued only once.
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