How to Register a Netherlands Company (Non-Resident Guide)

You can register a company in the Netherlands as a non-resident, whether you hold an EU passport or not. Most founders in this position never move to the Netherlands themselves, in which case, no visa or permit applies. That requirement only kicks in if you're physically relocating to the Netherlands.

In this post, I'll take you through the full process: choosing the right structure, the documents you'll need, when a permit actually applies, and what happens after you're registered.

Do you need to live in Holland to register a company?

No. You can register a Dutch company and manage it entirely from abroad regardless of your nationality. A permit only applies if you plan to move to the Netherlands yourself.

Staying based in your home country? Register a BV company like any other founder. This approach doesn't require a visa, personal Dutch address, or residence permit. Only the company needs a registered address.

Relocating to live and run the business day-to-day is different. EU, EEA, and Swiss citizens can do this freely. Non-EU citizens generally need a startup permit or self-employed permit from the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) before moving here.

In my experience, most founders assume they'll need a visa and are relieved to find out they don't. The permit only matters if you're packing a suitcase, not if you're just opening a company.

The benefits of doing business in the Netherlands

Reach 95% of Europe's major consumer markets within 24 hours of Amsterdam or Rotterdam, according to PWC's read on the Dutch business climate. That's the practical case for the Netherlands: a skilled, multilingual workforce, a 19% starting tax rate, and Europe's largest port on your doorstep.

Corporate tax starts at 19% on profits up to €200,000, rising to 25.8% above that.
A Dutch BV gives you full access to the EU single market, no separate registrations for cross-border EU trade.
The Netherlands has signed tax treaties with over 95 countries, reducing withholding tax on cross-border dividends, interest, and royalties.
Rotterdam is Europe's largest port and Schiphol one of its busiest airports, putting most of Western Europe within a day's reach.
Dutch corporate law is codified and enforced by an independent judiciary, so contracts and shareholder rights hold up as written.
Most of the Dutch workforce speaks fluent English, removing a language barrier that trips up founders in many other EU markets.
The Netherlands ranks among Europe's leading countries for digital infrastructure and digital transformation.
Strong sector depth in agrifood, logistics, renewable energy, life sciences, and high-tech systems provides founders in those industries an established ecosystem to plug into.

Choosing a legal structure as a non-resident

Non-residents choosing a Dutch company structure are almost always deciding between a BV and two ways of extending an existing foreign company: a subsidiary or a branch office.

Most overseas founders choose the BV option. It's the only option here with full limited liability and simple enough to set up remotely.

Structure	Owned by	Minimum capital	Right for
BV	You, personally	€0.01	Most non-resident founders
Subsidiary (BV)	Your existing foreign company	€0.01	Extending your company into the Netherlands as a separate, liable entity
Branch office	Your existing foreign company	None (no new entity)	Testing the market; parent company carries full liability
Sole proprietorship	You, personally	None	Not recommended. No liability protection, and requires genuine local presence

For the full breakdown, read our guide covering the different business structures in Netherlands.

How to register a Dutch company: step by step

Registering a Dutch company takes five steps and non-residents can complete every one of them remotely.

1. Choose your legal structure

Most non-residents register a BV. If you're extending an existing company rather than starting fresh, decide between a Dutch subsidiary and a branch office instead.

2. Prepare your documents

You'll need valid ID for every director, shareholder, and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO), plus proof of address. Corporate shareholders also need their company's incorporation documents and a registry extract.

3. Sign the deed of incorporation

For a BV, a Dutch notary drafts the deed and articles of association. You sign remotely using a notarized power of attorney.

4. Register with the KVK

The notary files your company with the KVK, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. You can expect to receive your KVK number, the identifier you'll use on invoices and contracts, within one to three business days.

5. Get your VAT number

The Belastingdienst, the Dutch tax authority, issues your VAT number once your KVK registration goes through. It normally arrives by post within 2-3 weeks.

What documents do you need to register a company in the Netherlands?

You need identity documents for everyone involved in the company, plus a few details about the business itself. Exactly what you provide depends on whether your shareholders are individuals or another company.

If you're registering as an individual:

Valid passport or EU ID card for every director, shareholder, and ultimate beneficial owner (UBO)
Proof of address (a recent utility bill or bank statement works)
Your proposed company name
A short description of your business activity, since the KVK assigns an SBI code based on it

If a shareholder is a company rather than a person:

The above, for every individual director and UBO behind that company
The corporate shareholder's certificate of incorporation
A recent extract from its home-country company registry
In some cases, a legalized or apostilled translation, depending on the country of origin

None of this needs to be sent to the Netherlands in person. Scanned copies and certified translations, where required, are enough to start the process.

Do you need a permit to register a company as a non-resident?

You do not need a Dutch residence permit to simply incorporate a company in the Netherlands while continuing to live abroad. However, if you plan to move to the Netherlands and work in your business there, you may need a residence permit or another form of immigration permission.

If you plan to move to Holland, EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can generally live and work here without applying for a Dutch residence permit. If you're from outside these areas, entrepreneurs can consider the start-up permit and the self-employed permit routes.

The startup permit

For founders with an innovative business idea and no existing Dutch entity yet
Requires a Dutch facilitator: an experienced mentor or incubator who supports your application and vouches for the business
Requires proof your idea can sustain itself financially
Assessed by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO)

The self-employed permit

For founders who already have a business, or are becoming self-employed here directly
Scored by the RVO on a points system covering your personal experience, your business plan, and its added value to the Dutch economy
Requires a minimum score to qualify

What happens after company registration in the Netherlands?

Company registration in the Netherlands is just the starting point. Three things follow: your VAT number, a business bank account, and ongoing compliance.

Your VAT number

Requesting a VAT number will take a few working days. The tax office may take 2-4 weeks for a decision, and in some cases a special procedure for foreigner-owned companies is necessary which is routed through the tax office department for foreign VAT applications in Heerlen.

Your business bank account

To start tracing, you will need to open a Dutch bank account to pay suppliers or receive customer payments.

Ongoing compliance

Starts immediately, not after your first year. This includes:

Bookkeeping from day one
Filing VAT returns
Annual financial statements

Since Dutch filing deadlines and formats aren't always intuitive from the outside, most non-resident founders hand this to accountants in Netherlands rather than manage it themselves from abroad.

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

Registering a company in the Netherlands costs a fixed €85.15 in government fees, the KVK's registration charge, regardless of which structure you choose. Other costs such as notary fees, translations, and any formation agent's service fee, varies by structure and provider.

Item	Costs	Applies to
KVK registration fee	€85.15 (fixed)	All structures
Notary fees (deed of incorporation)	€300–€1,500	BV, subsidiary
Translation/document costs	Varies	Branch office (no notary needed)
Typical total setup cost	€600–€1,600	Standalone BV, before any formation agent's fee

How long does it take to register a business in Holland?

Registering a Dutch company takes 3 to 5 business days once your documents are complete. That covers the notary drafting your deed of incorporation and the KVK processing your registration.

"Registered" isn't the same as "fully operational," though. Your VAT number follows separately and typically takes 2-4 weeks for a decision by the Belastingdienst. Until then, you can't invoice with VAT, so budget closer to three weeks from start to genuinely ready to trade.

A bank account adds more time to the process. Timeframes can vary by financial institution and how quickly you can provide the documentation they ask for.

Reasons foreign founders choose Intercompany Solutions

We handle Netherlands company formation for international founders and businesses expanding into Europe. Our specialist advisors are based in Rotterdam, and deal with the KVK and the Belastingdienst every day.

Here's why companies trust us:

Since 2017, our team has helped over 2,000 founders register a company in the Netherlands from 50+ countries across North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
We offer fixed pricing with no hidden fees once you've started.
A fully managed offering including company formation, VAT, accounting, and payroll services, so you're not juggling providers.
We register your Dutch company with a team that understands both Dutch regulations and running a business from abroad.
Genuinely remote: founders complete the entire process without ever setting foot in the Netherlands.

Holland company registration - FAQs

Can a foreigner own 100% of a Dutch company?

Yes, a foreigner can own 100% of a Dutch company. Dutch law places no restrictions on foreign ownership of a BV. You don't need a Dutch or EU passport, a local business partner, or a minimum percentage of Dutch ownership. This applies equally to individual shareholders and foreign companies registering a subsidiary.

Do I need a Dutch bank account to register a company?

No, you don't need a Dutch bank account to complete company registration itself. However, you'll need one afterwards to pay suppliers, receive customer payments, and run payroll. Most non-resident founders open their account in the weeks following incorporation.

Can I register a company without visiting the Netherlands?

Yes, you can register a Dutch company without ever visiting the Netherlands. The entire process runs remotely using a notarized power of attorney. Identity verification happens via video call or certified copies. Most non-resident founders complete registration without setting foot in the Netherlands.

How long does it take to register a Dutch company?

Registering a Dutch company takes 3 to 5 business days once your documents are complete. This includes notary processing and KVK filing. Your VAT number follows separately from the Belastingdienst and is typically issued within 2-4 weeks.

Do I need a permit to register a company as a non-resident?

Only if you're relocating to the Netherlands yourself. If you remain in your home country, no permit applies. Founders from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland who do relocate do not require a permit. However, other nationals generally need a startup permit or self-employed permit from the IND.

What's the minimum share capital for a Dutch BV?

The minimum share capital for a Dutch BV is €0.01. This has been the legal minimum since the 2012 Flex-BV reform replaced the previous €18,000 requirement. Some notaries commonly advise €1, split across 100 shares of €0.01 each but it isn't a legal requirement.

Formation time	Dutch BV formation completed in 3 to 5 business days
Process	Fully remote setup with step-by-step guidance
Compliance	Expert support for registration, VAT and compliance
Aftercare	Accounting, tax and legal support included
One partner	All of the above through one trusted formation partner

How to Register a Netherlands Company as a Non-Resident