Setting up a BV in the Netherlands
The Besloten Vennootschap (BV) is the most popular business structure in the Netherlands, equivalent to a private limited company. Since the Flex-BV legislation of October 2012, the Dutch BV has become one of the most accessible and entrepreneur-friendly company types in Europe, with no minimum capital requirement and streamlined incorporation procedures.
Why choose a Dutch BV
A Dutch BV offers limited liability protection, separating your personal assets from business liabilities. The Netherlands consistently ranks among the top countries for ease of doing business, and the BV structure provides credibility with banks, suppliers and customers across the EU. Additionally, the Netherlands has an extensive network of tax treaties with over 90 countries, making it an excellent base for international operations.
Requirements for formation
- Share capital: Since 2012, no minimum capital requirement. A BV can be formed with as little as €0.01 per share
- Shareholders: At least one shareholder (natural person or legal entity), no nationality restrictions
- Director: At least one managing director (bestuurder), who can also be the sole shareholder
- Registered office: A Dutch business address registered with KVK
- Notary: A Dutch civil-law notary (notaris) is required to execute the deed of incorporation
Formation process step by step
Step 1 – Name check and preparation: Verify your desired company name is available and prepare the articles of association (statuten). The articles define the company's purpose, share structure, management rules and profit distribution.
Step 2 – Notarial deed: The notary executes the deed of incorporation (akte van oprichting), which includes the articles of association. The notary also verifies the identity of all founders and performs required anti-money laundering checks.
Step 3 – KVK registration: The company is registered with the Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber of Commerce). You receive a KVK number and the company is listed in the Handelsregister (Trade Register). This can often be done on the same day as the notarial deed.
Step 4 – Tax registration: The Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority) automatically receives notification from KVK and issues a BTW (VAT) number. Additional registrations for payroll tax may be needed if you hire employees.
Step 5 – Bank account: Open a Dutch business bank account. This can be done with traditional banks like ABN AMRO, ING or Rabobank, or with fintech alternatives. Due diligence processes may take 2-4 weeks.
Costs and timeline
Total formation costs typically range from €1,500 to €3,000, including notary fees (€700-€1,500), KVK registration (€75.09), and professional advisory fees. The entire process can be completed in 1-3 weeks, with the fastest incorporations done within a few business days. Zunapro guides international entrepreneurs through every step of Dutch BV formation, handling the bureaucracy so you can focus on building your business.
