How Much Does Netherlands Company Formation Cost? (2026 Guide)

Netherlands company formation costs typically range from €1,600 and €3,000 for a non-resident forming a BV. That covers the €85.15 KVK registration fee, the Dutch notary, plus a formation agent if you choose to use one.

The range is wide because quotes cover different things. One price includes the notary and the KVK fee, while another leaves both out.

In this guide, I'll break down each cost and show what three typical setups come to. If you want the process first, our guide to how to set up a Dutch BV walks through it.

Key Takeaways

• Setting up a Dutch BV typically costs €1,600 to €3,000 for a non-residents.
• The KVK registration fee is €85.15 and the minimum share capital for a BV is €0.01.
• Notary fees are not set by law and typically range from €900 to €1,500 for foreigners.
• Running a small BV usually costs around €3,850 to €4,950 a year for an accountant and a Dutch business address.

Table of Contents

• How much does it cost to set up a company in the Netherlands?
• What does a formation agent's price include?
• What will your BV cost in total, by situation?
• How much does it cost to run a Dutch BV each year?
• How much does it cost to hire an employee in the Netherlands?
• Want a fixed cost for your Dutch BV?

How much does it cost to set up a company in the Netherlands?

Setting up a standard BV company in the Netherlands generally costs around €1,600 to €3,000 for non-residents. This covers the KVK fee, a Dutch notary fee and, if you use one, an agent's fee. Only the KVK fee is a fixed government charge. The rest is market pricing that varies by provider.

Fixed costs

Two items are set by law:

• KVK registration fee: €85.15, paid once.
• Share capital: minimum €0.01, which stays in the company.

Variable costs

The following costs are not set by law and many vary by provider:

• Notary fees: typically €300 to €1,500, depending on the notary and your deed.
• Notary Quality Fund levy: €9.95 per deed from the notaries' professional body, the KNB. The notary decides whether to pass it on.
• Agent fees: varies by provider
• Business address: budget for €50 to €100 a month

What does a formation agent's price include?

A formation agent's price usually covers the paperwork and the notary deed. Several costs are often charged on top, which means a low headline price can end up higher than it looks.

Most packages cover:

• Drafting the articles of association and the deed of incorporation
• The notary's work to sign the deed
• Registering the company with the KVK
• Filing your ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) with the KVK

Prices still differ because of what sits outside the package. Before you compare quotes, check whether each one includes:

• The notary fee
• The KVK registration fee
• Legalization of documents you sign abroad
• Translation of the deed or your documents
• Corporate shareholders, directors or more than one shareholder

What will your BV cost in total, by situation?

Here are three typical setups and what moves the cost of each.

A solo founder setting up from abroad

Expect to spend between €1,600 to €3,000 all in. That covers the KVK fee, the notary and an agent's fee. The total moves with whether the agent's price includes the notary, and with whether documents you sign abroad need legalization or translation. A Dutch business address is usually billed on top, at around €60 to €100 a month.

Two co-founders or a corporate shareholder

Budget roughly €2,000 to €4,000. Each extra shareholder adds identity checks and a longer deed. A corporate shareholder adds more, because the notary needs your company's registry extract and ownership details, which often have to be legalized or translated first.

A foreign company opening a Dutch subsidiary

Plan for roughly €2,500 to €5,000. Most of the extra cost sits in the parent company's paperwork: a registry extract, proof of who can sign for it, and certified translations. The number of directors and ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs) to file also adds to the bill. Before you budget, decide on the legal form.

Our BV vs NV guide compares the two and our guide to starting a business in the Netherlands covers the wider steps.

How much does it cost to run a Dutch BV each year?

A Dutch BV must keep proper books and file annual accounts with the KVK each year. For most small companies, budget roughly €3,850 to €4,950 a year for an accountant and a Dutch business address.

What that covers:

• Bookkeeping and accounts: Basic bookkeeping usually costs €3,250 to €3,750 a year.
• VAT returns: Most small companies file quarterly. The Belastingdienst sets your filing period when you register.
• Corporate tax return: If your financial year follows the calendar year, you must file the accounts before 1 June of the following calendar year.
• Business address: Often €50 to €100 a month (€600 to €1,200 a year).

Fees rise with volume. A high volume of invoices or foreign-currency transactions mean more bookkeeping hours, and each employee adds monthly payroll filings. Our accounting service is priced as a fixed fee, so you know the annual cost before you start.

How much does it cost to hire an employee in the Netherlands?

Hiring an employee costs more than the salary you agree to. Dutch employers pay further costs on top so the total is higher than the gross figure in the contract.

What sits on top of gross salary:

• Holiday pay: Employees are entitled to at least 8% holiday pay, which most employers pay once a year in May or June.
• Employer premiums: You pay social security premiums on wages, such as unemployment insurance (WW) and the employer's healthcare levy (Zvw).
• Pension: A collective labor agreement (CAO) sometimes makes employer pension contributions mandatory.
• Payroll administration: Payroll must be filed every month. An outsourced bookkeeper typically charges around €25 to €75 per employee a month.

Premium rates depend on your contract type and sector, so ask for a payroll quote before you commit to a salary. Our guide to hiring your first employee covers registration, contracts and first-year costs. And our payroll service handles the monthly filings.

Want a fixed cost for your Dutch BV?

Quotes for the same BV can differ because each one covers different costs. Our Dutch company formation service gives you a fixed and all-inclusive quote, so you know your total before you commit.

For your free quote, contact Intercompany Solutions today.