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How to Complete Company Registration in Netherlands: A Step-by-Step Guide



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:

  1. Incorporation Documents

    • Notarized deed of incorporation

    • Articles of association

    • Proof of identity for all directors and shareholders

    • Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registration forms

  2. 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:

  1. Environmental permits for physical locations

  2. Food safety certificates for food-related businesses

  3. Special licenses for alcohol sales

  4. 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:


  1. Basic Information Entry

    • Company details and trade name

    • Business activities description

    • Management structure confirmation

  2. Address Verification

    • Business location verification

    • Correspondence address setup

    • Branch office details (if applicable)

  3. 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:

  1. Digital Verification

    • eHerkenning for EU residents (eBranch can act as your representative)

    • Video identification for non-EU residents

    • Qualified electronic signatures

  2. 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:


  1. VAT Identification Number (BTW-id)

    • Format: NL + 9 digits + B + 2 check digits

    • Used for all business transactions

    • Generated automatically after registration


  2. 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:

  1. Company Information Updates

    • Address changes

    • Business activity modifications

    • Trade name alterations

    • Branch office additions or closures

  2. 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:

  1. Automated transaction categorization

  2. Immediate VAT calculation

  3. One-click return submission

  4. 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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