How to Set Up a Business in the Netherlands from the UK

Since Brexit, many UK founders assume that owning a Dutch company means moving to the Netherlands. In most cases it doesn't. You can own and run a Dutch private limited company (BV) from the UK once a Dutch notary has drawn up the deed and the company has a Dutch business address.

A residence permit only matters if you plan to live in the Netherlands yourself. I wrote this guide to walk UK founders through the process after Brexit. It also covers what a Dutch company costs and how it affects your UK tax position.

Why choose the Netherlands for your business?

British founders have various options when it comes to company formation in Europe. However, the Netherlands stands up for many practical reasons. Here are the five that come up most.

A competitive corporate tax rate

For 2026, the Dutch corporate income tax rate is 19% on profit up to €200,000 and 25.8% above that. Profit from qualifying innovative activities can be taxed at 9% under the innovation box.

Access to the EU market

Since Brexit, a UK company no longer sits inside the EU single market. A Dutch BV, is broadly comparable to a UK private limited company, can make it easier to trade, contract and hire across EU member states.

A logistics base built for trade

Rotterdam is Europe's largest port and handles millions of tonnes of cargo each year. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is also one of the busiest airports in Europe, reaching over 300 destinations worldwide.

A low barrier to incorporate

A BV needs a minimum share capital of just €0.01. You can fund the company as heavily as the business needs without a legal minimum standing in the way.

Routes for innovative startups

Non-EU founders with an innovative product can apply for a one-year startup permit with an approved facilitator. We cover it below.

Can you set up a Dutch company from the UK?

Yes, you can set up a Dutch company from the UK. A BV is created by a notarial deed, and your Netherlands notary registers the company with the KVK and the Dutch Tax Administration for you. Many founders sign through a power of attorney, without travelling to the Netherlands.

Two points matter for UK founders:

• You need a Dutch address to register, which can be your own or a business address. A P.O. box is not accepted.
• Starting a business does not give you Dutch citizenship. If you want to live in the Netherlands, you will likely need a residence permit.

What should you check before you start?

A few decisions are worth settling before you instruct a Dutch notary.

First, test the demand. Check whether Dutch or EU customers will buy from you, and whether a Dutch company is the best way to reach them.

Second, decide who will run the company and where. Where the decisions are made affects your tax position, which we cover below.

Third, set a realistic budget. Weigh the setup costs against the ongoing costs of accounting, a business address and tax filings.

Which business structure suits a UK founder?

Most UK founders choose a BV because it needs minimal capital and keeps your personal assets separate from the company's debts in the usual case.

A branch is subject to Dutch registration and tax requirements. If you are weighing a BV against a public company, our BV vs NV guide compares them.

Do you need a visa or residence permit?

No, you do not need a visa or permit to own a Dutch company from the UK. You only need one if you plan to live and work in the Netherlands.

Since Brexit, British nationals are treated as non-EU. The Dutch government states that British nationals moving to the Netherlands need a residence permit for stays of more than 90 days. Two permits apply to founders.

Self-employed permit

Who it suits

Founders who want to run a business in the Netherlands and are not covered by a startup route. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) asks the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) to assess whether your work is of essential interest to the Dutch economy. Your product or service must also be new to the Netherlands.

How the RVO scores your application

The RVO scores three areas: personal experience, business plan and added value for the Netherlands. You need at least 30 points in each area, or 45 points each for personal experience and the business plan.

How long it lasts

The self-employed permit is valid for a maximum of 2 years.

Startup permit

Who it suits

Non-EU founders with an innovative product. You must work with a facilitator recognized by the RVO.

Requirements and duration

Your product or service has to be innovative, and the permit is valid for a maximum of 1 year. Depending on your nationality, you may also need a provisional residence permit (MVV).

Check the current rules with the IND before you apply, because requirements and fees change.

How do you set up a business in the Netherlands (step by step process)

1. Choose your structure

For most UK founders this is a BV. A Dutch branch of an existing UK company is the other realistic option, but the UK company remains liable for it.

2. Pick a company name

Search the KVK's trade name register before you commit, because a name that is taken or too close to an existing one can hold up the deed. Your notary will run a check too, but a quick search yourself saves a round of changes.

3. Arrange a Dutch business address

You need a Dutch address to register, and the KVK does not accept a P.O. box. A business address such as your accountant's works if the owner signs a declaration of consent.

4. Sign the deed of incorporation

A civil-law notary must draw up the deed. A power of attorney lets you sign remotely, though the notary will still verify your identity.

5. Register with the KVK

Your notary registers the BV with the KVK and the Tax Administration on your behalf. The KVK registration fee is €85.15, and you will need your new KVK number for the tax registrations and the bank account.

6. Register for VAT and payroll if needed

The Tax Administration determines whether your company needs to register for VAT and sets its filing period. If you plan to hire, register for payroll tax before the first employee starts.

7. Open a business bank account

Banks usually ask for your KVK number first, along with ID, proof of your home address and information on the ultimate beneficial owners. Approval often takes between 2 and 8 weeks, so apply as soon as the company is registered.

8. Sort out permits if you are relocating

You do not need a permit to own the company from the UK, but you do need one to live and work in the Netherlands. The visa section above covers the options.

How much does it cost to set up a Dutch company?

Setup costs for a UK resident typically come to €1,600 to €3,000. The main items are listed below:

• KVK registration: €85.15
• Notary fees: €900 to €1,500
• Notary Quality Fund levy: €9.95 per deed
• Minimum share capital: €0.01
• Business address: Typically €50 to €100 a month

Quotes for the same BV can vary because each one covers different items. For a full breakdown, see our Netherlands company formation costs guide.

How does a Dutch company affect your UK taxes?

A Dutch BV pays Dutch corporate tax on its profit, but if you manage it from the UK, HMRC may treat it as a UK tax resident too. So you may also pay UK tax on dividends you take out.

UK tax on dividends and income

GOV.UK states that UK residents normally pay tax on foreign income, and lists dividends as an example. It also says you may be able to claim relief if you are taxed in more than one country. Dividends paid by a Dutch company to a UK resident are within this.

Where the company is managed

HMRC's guidance states that a company incorporated abroad is treated as resident where its central management and control is found. Where that sits is a question of fact. If you run a Dutch BV entirely from the UK, HMRC may argue the company is managed there.

Take advice on both sides

The UK and the Netherlands have a double tax treaty that may provide relief and reduce withholding tax on some dividends, depending on your circumstances. Speak to a UK tax adviser and a Dutch adviser before you set up.

Can you open a Dutch business bank account from the UK?

Yes, but it takes longer than a UK account. You usually need a KVK number first, so register the company before you apply.

Banks typically ask for a valid ID, proof of your home address, proof of KVK registration and information on the ultimate beneficial owners. Some banks require a Dutch address, and some accept a foreign address if at least one owner lives in the Netherlands.

What legal and compliance duties apply?

A Dutch BV must keep records and meet its filing obligations. The main duties are filing annual accounts, a corporate tax return and VAT returns where applicable.

The annual accounts dates come from the KVK.

Should you use a professional to set up your company?

You can do some of it yourself, but a notary is compulsory, and the rest has moving parts that depend on each other. A mistake in the deed or the address can delay your bank account by weeks.

A formation agent is usually the safer option as they handle the entire process from start to finish, including the notary and KVK filing process.

Do you have to live in the Netherlands to run your company?

No, a BV can be owned and directed from abroad. What matters is where you live for tax, and where the company is managed.

If you are a UK tax resident, you will normally pay UK tax on your foreign income, including Dutch dividends. If you move to the Netherlands, you would need a residence permit and would become subject to Dutch personal tax rules, so plan the move with a tax adviser first.

Want a fixed quote for your Dutch company?

Quotes for the same BV can differ widely, because each one covers different costs. Our transparent Dutch company formation gives you a fixed, all-inclusive quote from the get-go.

For further information, contact Intercompany Solutions today.