Key sectors: the top industries in the Netherlands

Updated on 14 November 2024

If you have had longstanding plans to establish a company in the European Union zone, we strongly advise you to consider the Netherlands as your new base of operations. This innovative and stable country offers you direct access to the European Single Market while also being home to a vibrant and competitive business climate that is considered to be one of the strongest worldwide. That is why Intercompany Solutions is specialized in Dutch company establishment: we want to provide entrepreneurs all over the world with the chance to profit from this thriving economy and business climate. If you have visions of expanding your business or simply starting something new, we can incorporate and register your company in as little as 3–5 business days. But our services don’t stop there, as we can also assist you in various extra tasks such as applying for permits, making sure your periodical tax returns are in order, and offer legal assistance whenever necessary. Once you get started, you will see that the Netherlands can solidify your international presence and allow you to build a foundation for future generations. Contact us directly if you would like to start the incorporation process, or take a look at our services to find out more about what we do.

Why the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is one of the ten largest exporters in the world. The food and agriculture industry is one of the largest industries in the country, while there are many other vast industries that are renowned for their innovative approach, stable growth and ability to provide jobs to millions of people worldwide. It’s no surprise that the Netherlands ranks exceptionally high in many prominent rankings and indexes, such as the following:

• The Netherlands ranks 4th on the Forbes ‘Best Countries for Business’ index
• In the IMD ‘World Competitiveness Ranking’, the Netherlands ranks 5th
• According to the World Economic Forum, the Netherlands ranks 5th when it comes to the countries that are the best at attracting, developing and retaining talent
• The Netherlands also ranks 5th on Statista’s ‘25 Most Competitive Countries in 2023’

These are just some examples, but they show that investing in the Netherlands is a safe and smart decision that will inevitably provide you with many opportunities for success. In addition to having a stellar reputation, the Dutch are also strategically positioned, especially if you are considering a trade, logistics or import-export business. The country houses the largest European port, namely the port of Rotterdam, which is the main access hub to the entire European Union (EU). Furthermore, Schiphol Airport is close to the port. If you manage to settle somewhere in between, you literally have the whole world at your fingertips. There are many sectors in the Netherlands that are doing very well, so you have an ample amount of choice when it comes to establishing a company within a specific sector or niche. We have currently summarized some of the biggest sectors in the Netherlands below for your convenience.

1. Agriculture and food

The world is rapidly becoming urbanized, with many people migrating across continents. This creates an increased pressure on many densely populated urban areas since the demand for sustainable and healthy food supplies continues to increase. The security that citizens always have enough food is crucial for any well-developed society and directly impacts a country’s performance, economy and political situation. Therefore, it is important that there is enough attention given to farmers, animal welfare, waste  disposal, and food safety in order to guarantee healthy food distribution. With its large population in a very small country, the farms in the Netherlands are some of the most sustainable, intensive and efficient in the world. But the food that is produced in the Netherlands is definitely not only meant for consumption by its own population; on the contrary.

The Netherlands ranks among the world's largest exporters of food and agricultural products. This success stems from its strategic location in the heart of Europe, combined with highly mechanized farming, advanced agro-food technology, mild climate, and fertile lowlands. The Dutch agrifood sector is a sustainable source of healthy, safe food that is produced with respect for nature and the environment. The Dutch agro-industry focuses on international exports and accounts for almost 21% of the country's total export value. The Netherlands is in the first position in the EU and in second place in the world, after the United States (US), due to the export of agricultural products. The agricultural industry provides employment for 4% of the Dutch workforce and also produces vast amounts for the food and processing industry. A significant part of the food and agricultural products exported from the Netherlands includes tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, apples, flowers, and flower bulbs. But also non-plant-based products, such as livestock, poultry (meat) and eggs. Another interesting fact: 12 out of the top 40 food and drink companies in the world have R&D centers located in the Netherlands.

Open a food or agricultural company in The Netherlands 

2. Energy

The Netherlands is well-known worldwide for its extensive knowledge of renewable energy and energy efficiency, and also holds a leading position in wind energy at sea, biomass processing and greenhouse farming. Thus, the energy sector is a substantial contributor to the Dutch national income. It provides many jobs and exports products as well as services, for example, by advising other countries in this area of expertise. The Dutch government actively encourages the use of green energy and aims to better use all economic opportunities regarding energy as a whole sector. The Dutch appreciate clean, reliable, sustainable and affordable energy and work fervently towards this goal to make sure that one day the whole country will be running on clean and sustainable energy. Internationalization of the energy markets and reduction of CO2 are essential to achieving these goals. The ever-increasing global demand for sustainable energy creates new opportunities within the sector, such as generation, transport and trade in energy.

The Netherlands also has a good basis for energy growth due to its geographical location, with many kilometers of coastline for wind power. Next to that, there’s the powerhouse of key European harbors in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Antwerp (ARA), plus significant natural gas reserves in the north of the country and the presence of a strong gas infrastructure. As estimated, 25% of the natural gas reserves in the European Union (EU) are located in the Netherlands. Expansive natural gas supplies were discovered in the Netherlands in 1959 and have generated significant revenues for decades. The Netherlands has had no other mining resources since the closure of the coal industry in 1974. The Groningen Gasveld, situated in Slochteren, is one of the largest natural gas fields in the country. All these provide a basis from which to grow to become the energy hub of Europe. As such, the energy industry in the Netherlands is one of the main export products of the country.

More information on opening an energy company in The Netherlands.

3. Water

Another industry that is dominated by the Dutch is the water sector. This is no surprise whatsoever, as the country has dealt with heavy floods in the past and needed to adapt accordingly. The ingenious ways in which the Dutch make dams and dykes are world-famous. The Dutch are often asked to provide resources and advice on the topic all over the world. Next to flood management, the Dutch are also excellent in other areas, such as general water management and water purification. An interesting fact is that half of the country is actually below sea level. This has made the Dutch experts in all challenges related to water in general, making them an innovative worldwide partner for water. Water management is one of the greatest challenges facing the agrifood sector today. The Dutch water and agriculture sectors can be instrumental internationally in boosting food security worldwide. Some hot topics currently include (but are not limited to):

• Urban Resilience
• Finance for Water
• Water & Technology
• Water & Agrifood
• Climate Adaptation
• Integrated Water Management
• SDG6
• Coastal Management
• Groundwater

In the Netherlands, bringing together various stakeholders and looking at current challenges from many perspectives have priority, as this is the only way to design sustainable solutions for everyone. Currently, more than one billion people worldwide do not have access to sanitation and clean water. For first-world countries, this is unimaginable. Next to that, around 40% of the global population experiences water scarcity, especially in very dry and hot areas. Thus, the improved water management is a substantial factor in the development aid policy of the Netherlands. If this is a topic that you would like to contribute to in a humanitarian fashion, the Netherlands is definitely the best place to achieve this.

4. Chemicals

The chemical sector stands as one of the Netherlands' most vital economic pillars. A testament to its strength, 19 major multinational chemical companies, including Royal Dutch Shell, DSM, AkzoNobel, and BASF, have chosen to establish their headquarters in the Netherlands.

The Dutch chemical industry has built its success on three fundamental strengths: its world-class research facilities, including TNO and leading universities; its position as one of Europe's top suppliers of chemical products; and its extensive transport network providing seamless access to raw materials. The sector focuses on developing innovative solutions across five key areas: healthcare, energy, food security, sustainability, and advanced materials.

The industry thrives on its entrepreneurial spirit, commitment to innovation, and international outlook. Dutch chemical companies excel at collaborative innovation, working across different sectors to tackle global challenges. Their multidisciplinary approach addresses crucial areas like healthcare, energy, industrial processes, recycling, plastics, and transport, making the Netherlands a prime location for chemical innovation and investment.

Read here on starting a chemical company in the Netherlands

5. Creativity

As you might know, the Netherlands has produced many world-famous artists, such as Rembrandt, Mondrian and van Gogh. Next to that, the creative industry in the Netherlands is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and out-of-the-box thinking. Did you know that the Netherlands generates more creative output than almost any other country in the world? And it’s not just the volume that is impressive, but also the work itself. The Dutch have many renowned universities that focus on creativity, such as the Royal Academy for Fine Arts in The Hague and the Gerrit Rietveld Academy, to name a few. The Dutch creative industry was also ranked 10th globally for trade, jobs and brands. Many skilled and multilingual expats and entrepreneurs come from all over the world to find creative opportunities in the Netherlands. The Netherlands therefore offers the ideal market for creative start-ups and companies that are looking to pursue success and innovation in Europe. There are many opportunities for:

• Media
• Radio
• Broadcasters
• TV concepts
• Fashion and apparel
• Major creative brands
• Independent artists
• Graphic designers
• Writers
• Painters and sculptors

The creative community in the Netherlands can be described as vibrant, colorful, diverse and inspiring, with an edge you won’t find anywhere else. If you value originality, creativity and the freedom to express yourself the way you desire, the Netherlands is the perfect place for you.

6. Logistics

As you might have guessed, due to its internationally strategic position, the Netherlands excels in logistics and trade. There are many key factors that contribute to this, such as the fantastic physical infrastructure with well-maintained roads and easy connections. There is also the port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport at your direct disposal, which makes international trade a child’s play. The Dutch have subsequently built a solid reputation for themselves as traders over the past few centuries. If you decide to establish a trade company in the Netherlands, you will always profit from this reputation. Furthermore, the digital infrastructure is top-notch, which makes logistics realizable due to constant real-life updates. Also, you benefit from a multitude of companies and suppliers that have also settled in the Netherlands, making it very easy for you to find suitable business partners. The transportation of goods around the globe increases in volume and distance every single day, and the Netherlands plays a key role in the global market because of its well-structured logistics. Due to the fact that the Netherlands can be considered a center for world trade, you are sure to find the knowledge and expertise that are necessary for the efficient planning, execution, and flow of goods and information streams here. With a value added of >60 billion euros per year and almost a million employees, the logistics sector is considered to be a strong driver of the Dutch economy.

7. IT & Tech

The Netherlands is sometimes also referred to as the digital gateway to Europe, as opposed to only the physical gateway. Due to the port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport, the entire world can access Europe through Holland. But did you know that the digital infrastructure of the Netherlands is amongst the best and fastest globally? With a coverage of 98% of all households, you can reach almost every citizen, which makes doing business in the Netherlands especially lucrative. The Dutch thus rank 2nd worldwide when it comes to online connectivity. Holland is Europe’s most wired country, and as such, the Netherlands is one of the best countries for IT and tech companies. If you are a company that wants to expand to the Netherlands, you will benefit from the innovative general culture, many interesting R&D incentives, the strong tech strategy implemented by the government, its world-leading knowledge on cybersecurity, digital health and AI, and many strong crossovers between tech and other industries, resulting in original ways of collaboration that are unique in this market. The Netherlands is also home to the Amsterdam Internet Exchange (AMS-IX), one of the world’s leading digital data distributors. This advanced network allows companies to stay digitally connected and reshape the future. There are many big players that have already chosen the Netherlands as their base of operations, such as Microsoft, IBM, Google, Oracle, ABB, Brain Corp and Wonderkind. If you decide to invest in the tech sector, the Netherlands is a safe haven that can undoubtedly support your efforts.

8. Digitalization and robotization

The digitalization of the economy is an extremely dominant development, particularly in combination with the development of new production technologies such as robots and 3D printers. As you might expect, this has massive consequences for the way we live our lives. The past few decades have already shown us that change is not only inevitable, but also happens extremely fast. This is resulting in the new industrial revolution known as Smart Industry, or Industry 4.0. The Netherlands can be seen as one of the front-runners in this regard. This development affects the core of industry and comes on top of developments in nanotechnology, new materials and genetics, among other fields. Since everything is connected through the internet, we can see that production processes are becoming more efficient, error-free and predictable. Next to that, more opportunities are being created for customized production rather than large series. The innovation process is likewise changing. Development is occurring at greater speed and is increasingly being integrated into the production process, while virtual design and testing are becoming more commonplace. A very interesting example is remote maintenance. Manufacturers from the Netherlands have managed to carry out maintenance remotely on machines supplied all over the world, which has revolutionized the way we think about maintenance in general. Earnings models are also changing, with companies increasingly being paid for services delivered rather than for selling a product. The boundary between industry and service provision is blurring as a result, creating a different relationship between companies and their customers. If you are interested in robotics or any similar sector, the Netherlands offers you the modern platform you need to innovate further.

Dutch business types to consider as a foreign entrepreneur

If you have already made your decision regarding the sector you wish to operate in, or if you just got inspired by reading this article, then it’s time to think about the business type you want to consider. There are many different business types in each country, so you can expect the same in the Netherlands. There is a significant distinction between so-called unincorporated and incorporated business types. If you choose to open an unincorporated business , you will not have to go to the notary to incorporate your business. You can go straight to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce and register your company. This saves you both money and time, but there is obviously also a downside: since the company isn’t incorporated, it isn’t considered to be a legal entity. Therefore, if you do business with an unincorporated business type, it is you who’s responsible for all business dealings, not your company. As such, if you create debts with the company, you are personally liable. This means that creditors can access your personal assets and funds, as well as the assets and funds of your spouse, if you are married in a community of property. If you don’t want to be held personally liable for any debts or issues you create with your company, we suggest you choose an incorporated business type. This type is seen by law as an independent legal entity, meaning that it is a partner in any contractual agreement it enters and not you as a natural person. In the case that you create debts or go bankrupt, the creditors cannot access your personal funds, only in the case of improper management. The different company types in the Netherlands are as follows:

Unincorporated business types

• Sole proprietorship
• General partnership
• Limited partnership
• Professional partnership
• Shipping company

Incorporated business types

• Private limited liability company (BV)
• Public limited liability company (NV)
• Association
• Cooperative and mutual insurance society
• Foundation
• Denomination
• Foreign legal forms

In our practice, we see that >99% of all entrepreneurs prefer the Dutch BV. This legal entity assures that you have limited personal liability, which keeps your personal assets generally safe. Next to that, you can opt for a BV holding structure, allowing you to park your assets in the holding BV. This creates an extra layer of safety, since the holding BV will not be liable in the case that the operational BV goes bankrupt. Additionally, there are some very interesting tax benefits and even exemptions, such as the participation exemption, that you can profit from. If you would like to receive extensive advice about choosing the best company type, please contact us anytime. We will gladly assist you further.

How do I register a Dutch business?

If you have chosen both the industry and the company type, it’s time to establish your business officially so you can start your daily activities. We will need some documents from you to do this. The sooner you can provide us with this necessary info, the faster the entire process of establishment will be. The information and documents we always need are:

• The names of all shareholders
• Valid forms of identification for all shareholders
• A preferred company name
• A valid Dutch registration address for your company

Once we have these documents, the rest of the procedure is mainly administrative. Please note that if you would like us to take care of everything remotely for you, that you will need to provide us with a power of attorney to act on your behalf. The rest of the process is as follows:

Step 1: Initial verification

We will first check the identity of all (future) shareholders, including all the documents you send in. If you already have a preferred name for your business, we can check its availability during this step for you. If the company name is unavailable, you will need to come up with an alternative due to intellectual property rights. Once the name is approved, we proceed with the next phase.

Step 2: Company incorporation

After all the documents are checked and corrected, we proceed to prepare all the documents to incorporate your company. We will send these for you to sign using a legalized signature, after which you need to return the papers to us. Once all the signed documents are legalized and received, we start the formal registration procedure. The deed of incorporation is signed by a notary public, and you will now need to deposit the minimum share capital. After the deed is signed by the notary, the Dutch company registration will be submitted to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Once this step is done, you will receive your company registration number. This is the identification number of your Dutch business.

Step 3: Final setup

We assist you with the application for a Dutch bank account on the same day. Once these steps are finished, you will receive your company VAT application number. This is the VAT identification number of your Dutch business, which can be used to invoice customers. At this point, you can start your business activities, as you own a registered Dutch business. If you make sure to send us the correct documents and forms, this entire process should take no longer than 3-5 business days.

The types of services we can offer you

Intercompany Solutions has assisted hundreds of foreign entrepreneurs from over 50 different nationalities. Our clients range from small, one-person startups to multinational corporations and everything in between. Our processes are aimed at foreign entrepreneurs, and, as such, we know the most practical ways to assist with your company registration. We can assist with the full package of company registration in the Netherlands:

• Company establishment in the Netherlands
• Opening of a local bank account
• Application for VAT or EORI number
• Applications for a variety of permits
• Application for a visa or start-up permit
• Startup assistance
• Financial services
• Administrative services
• Secretarial services
• Legal assistance
• Tax and financial services
• Media
• General business advice

We are constantly improving our quality standards to continually deliver impeccable services.

Intercompany Solutions can assist you with setting up a Dutch company

It's clear that, with an advanced and healthy economy across a range of sectors, the Netherlands is an inviting prospect for foreign entrepreneurs. There are many different sectors, markets and niches to operate in, which creates possibilities for almost everyone. If you have a solid idea that you would like to implement, the Netherlands is a good bet. Intercompany Solutions can help you throughout the process by taking care of all the administrative tasks for you. All you have to do is tell us what it is you want, and we make sure this is translated into a Dutch company that answers all of your expectations. We also provide continuous services to keep your company running adequately.

Contact us if you are looking for someone to help guide you through the inevitable red tape that surrounds starting a new company in the Netherlands. We will get back to you within one business day, or send you a clear quote.

Request a free consultation