The Netherlands is welcoming foreigners intending to work and live on its territory and start private businesses. The country offers an ideal environment for setting up a branch or establishing the headquarters of a big company, but smaller businesses also develop well. The Netherlands is among the European member states where motivated investors and entrepreneurs can set up new businesses with comparatively small initial capital. Below is a list of five sectors suitable for opening a small company:
1. The Dutch food industry
Many people in the Netherlands are too preoccupied to cook at home. Therefore opening a restaurant or an agency for catering is an excellent option for a small business. Food storage, production and sale in the Netherlands require special licenses and permits.
2. Handmade Goods
The production of handmade goods requires a small initial capital and mostly depends on the ingenuity and talent of the entrepreneur. Original handmade clothing, bags, leather goods and jewellery can be offered to locals and tourists alike.
3. Online Sales
It is easy to open a Dutch website and turn it into a platform to facilitate online purchases or offer direct access to different providers of goods and services.
4. Mobile applications / IT business
Developers of mobile applications are discovering new useful and exciting solutions. The huge variety of apps covering areas from social productivity to finance attracts a broad range of customers. Read more on the high-tech industry of the Netherlands.
5. Childcare in the Netherlands
A lot of Dutch parents work full time and need babysitting services. Opening a centre for childcare is a good option for development of investors with previous experience (for example babysitters). This business requires special permits, mostly connected to the safety of children.
International entrepreneurs are treated in the same way as the locals and have the option to open any type of company. Regardless of the chosen field of operations, investors must complete the procedure for company registration and respect the national rules for taxation.
Some runner up ideas:
- Technical jobs such as plumbers, locksmiths, engineers, mechanics and much more are in high demand in The Netherlands. Due to a shortage of qualified personnel in these fields.
If you would like to receive more information on Dutch company registration, please, get in touch with our law firm.
Read here for more ideas on business opportunities in the Netherlands.
According to a research by Savills Investment Management, Amsterdam remains among the 5 most dynamic European cities for a number of years. The factors used in the ranking are focused mainly on the suitability for new investments. Cambridge, London and Paris are among the other top cities.
If you plan to do business in the Netherlands, our Dutch incorporation agents can give you an expert advice.
The top qualities of Amsterdam
The research performed by Savills covers 130 European cities and compares them with respect to six particular characteristics: inclusiveness, innovation, inspiration, interconnection, investment and infrastructure. The city of Amsterdam ranked 5th among these jurisdictions with outstanding scores for innovation and investment.
The report underlines Amsterdam’s top qualities and mentions that it is the main Dutch commercial and financial centre with a growing community involved in technology and start-up.
The report states that the top dynamic cities have innovative companies, universities of high quality, ambitious projects for investment in infrastructure and good abilities to maintain a highly professional workforce.
Other Dutch cities ranked in the report are The Hague at the 50th spot, Eindhoven at 48th and Utrecht at 46th place. The Hague is also 8th on the continent with respect to innovation.
If you would like to learn more about the Netherlands, please read our article The Netherlands, An Introduction. In the article, you will find information on the Dutch workforce, tax regulations and background of the country.
Investments in the Dutch Amsterdam
The Dutch government welcomes and stimulates international investments. No special legal policies exist for international investments and the companies can hold 100 percent of their branches in the country. There are many options to obtain tax incentives in the Netherlands, e.g. subsidies or loans for projects in Research and Development and particularly in the field of protection of the environment. Employment premiums can be obtained for opening new job positions. The country has also adopted special policies for international employees. Our Dutch team of lawyers can give you more information about these benefits.
The most common business forms preferred by international investors in the capital and other cities in the Netherlands are private and public companies with limited liability and branches.
If you need more details on how to make an investment, please, do not hesitate to contact our Dutch law firm.
The Netherlands qualifies among the most progressive countries worldwide in regards to financial technology. The sector has a branch that uses blockchain wallets for buying and selling cryptocurrencies. Furthermore, the country has established WestHolland: a centre for development and research employing innovations to provide new technology for all areas of the economy. In the summer of 2017, the National Bank of the Netherlands officially announced the establishment of a new department for blockchain technology development.
If you are planning to open a business with cryptocurrency in the Netherlands our company incorporation agents can help you throughout the registration process.
The Netherlands as a top destination for cryptocurrency businesses
International investors, who consider opening a company that operates in the sector of finance, and particularly in the field of blockchain technologies can benefit from the fact that the country is among the few states worldwide that accept the usage of virtual currencies. Furthermore, the Dutch Central Bank has created a digital currency called DNBCoin. And the Dutch town Arnhem is famous as the ''Bitcoin City'' because all of its companies operating in the field of electronic commerce accept cryptocurrency payments.
The Dutch central authorities also recognize the potential contribution of cryptocurrency technologies to the future of the finance industry. Our consultants in company formation can provide you with detailed information on the procedure for starting a business with cryptocurrencies in the country.
Incorporation of a cryptocurrency company in the Netherlands
The opening of a cryptocurrency business in the country is not regulated by special requirements. Nevertheless, you need to register a company in the Commercial Registry in order to start operation. Our Dutch consultants in company incorporation can help you register your cryptocurrency business.
Investors planning to open Dutch companies involved with Financial Technologies with the aim of trading in virtual currencies need to be informed that the Netherlands has an established framework of such transactions.
If you need assistance in registering a virtual currency company in the Netherlands, please, do not hesitate to contact us.
Starting a crypto exchange in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has experienced a lot of Bitcoin and crypto initiatives in the early days of the new Digital currencies. The Netherlands is home to several Bitcoin and crypto vendors, who buy and sell cryptocurrency, as well as a Bitcoin exchange.
The platform has offered some insight into the regulatory framework of the Dutch Central Bank (The Financial Markets regulator). The position of the Dutch Central Bank, according to the platform is that a crypto exchange does not need a license, as long as general KYC practices are met. Customers need to be adequately identified, and Anti Money Laundering policy and compliance need to be met, which is more or less comparable to the customer identification standards of Dutch law firms.
The lenient stance on cryptocurrency exchanges has not been noticed by the main crypto platforms to date. Not only the Dutch regulators are open to Crypto platforms, a variety of Dutch banks have- and are currently facilitating the Dutch Crypto vendors- and exchanges.
The Netherlands could be an easy access to the European market, with a warm stance on crypto companies and a stable investment climate and clear regulations.
Intercompany solutions can provide you with the practical know-how to start your Dutch Cryptocurrency business or exchange. Contact us for a free consultation on your case.
Crypto taxation related articles:
- Can Tax Authorities Identify Cryptocurrency Owners?
- How Developed Countries Collect Taxes on Bitcoin
- New Crypto exchange regulations (2019-2020)
Famous for its welcoming and dynamic atmosphere, the Netherlands attracts young people who wish to study or try their luck at starting up a business. Investors planning to open start-up companies in the country need a residence permit in order to do so. The document is issued if certain conditions are fulfilled. The application is submitted to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) for approval. International residents interested in immigrating to the Netherlands may ask for assistance before starting the procedure.
Application requirements for a Start-up Visa
The general conditions related to the application for a start-up visa include possession of a valid document for travel, no criminal background and performed tuberculosis test (the test is not obligatory under particular circumstances).
The applicant must also have a Dutch “facilitator” (business mentor) in order to obtain a start-up visa/residence permit. The details about the cooperation between the applicant and the facilitator must be discussed in advance and the parties have to agree on the terms in written (by signing an agreement). Additionally, the applicant needs to offer an innovative service or product, have a detailed start-up business plan, be financially capable of living in the country and finally, complete the registration procedure at the Dutch Commercial Registry (the mentor must also have a registration).
The business mentor or facilitator must also meet particular conditions to qualify as such. Our consultants are familiar with the Dutch law on immigration. They can explain to you the conditions prior to the submission of the application and prepare the necessary documents. Any papers in a language different from Dutch, German, French or English need to be translated.
Procedures after application for a Dutch Start-up Visa
Entrepreneurs planning to open local businesses often have to be present for longer periods and therefore need a long-term visa. You can simultaneously apply for this document and the permit for a residence. If you meet the specified conditions, you will obtain the visa for start-ups within a period of ninety days from the submission of your application. You have to collect your residence permit no later than fourteen days after your arrival in the Netherlands.
Our local experts on immigration can give you more information on the process of application for a start-up visa. If you are planning to immigrate, be aware that you must take out a health insurance and register at the municipality. If you need detailed information on the possibilities to obtain Dutch residence as an owner of a start-up business, contact our specialists in immigration.
Read here if you are looking for information on the Dutch self-employed visa.
Legal residence / short stay visa's
Legal residence is always the basic requirement for working in the Netherlands, which may mean obtaining a residence permit, and often also an entry visa/permit.
The law on residence differs for EU/EEA citizens and those of other countries.
Citizens of EU states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway (known as the European Economic Area states, EEA) and Swiss citizens do not need a residence permit to enter, stay, live and work in The Netherlands. Passport or ID card are sufficient proof of rightful stay.
Citizens of other countries intending to stay longer than 90 days usually need an entry permit, (MVV), and a residence permit, issued by the Dutch Immigration Authority, IND, (Immigratie en Naturalisatie Dienst), the authoritative source on residence permits.
Non-EU/EEA or Swiss nationals, who want to stay in the Netherlands for more than three months will typically require a Dutch residence permit. Unless exempt, an entry permit (MVV) is also required, as well as an integration exam beforehand.
You do not need an MVV if:
you (or a close relative) are from the EU/EEA/Switzerland;
you already hold a valid Dutch residence permit;
you already hold a ‘long-term residence permit EC’ issued by another European Community (EC) state;
you already hold a residence permit in another country that is part of the Schengen area;
you already hold a residence permit/Blue Card for 18 months in another EC state;
you are a national of Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the United States of America or the Vatican City;
your child (under 12) was born in the Netherlands and you have lawful residence in the Netherlands.
You apply for a provisional residence permit in person at a Dutch embassy or consulate in any country, as long as you have lawful residence in that country. With just a tourist visa, you do not qualify as a lawful resident.
You can apply for the MVV and residence permit in a single application via the Entry and residence Procedure (TEV).
If you are exempt from the MVV requirement, you or your sponsor can apply for a residence permit while you are still abroad, or you can opt to apply for your residence permit once you are already in the Netherlands.
Within 90 days of your arrival in the Netherlands or any country in the Schengen area you must apply for a residence permit. After 90 days you need to have a residence permit, or you must have applied for a residence permit. If not you will be in the Netherlands illegally.
