Dutch Business Incorporation
Netherlands Company Formation for Non- Residents
- 100% remote setup — no need to travel to the Netherlands; everything is arranged online.
- No Dutch-resident director required — you can be the sole shareholder and director of your BV, even if you live abroad.
- Complete BV incorporation — preparation, notary signing, and KVK registration — all coordinated for you.
- All notary fees included — fixed, transparent price with no hidden costs.
- Unofficial English translation of the deed of incorporation — provided free of charge for your convenience.
- Tax ID registration — include your company’s RSIN (Tax Identification Number) directly with the Tax Office.
- Company name check — we verify your preferred company name with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK).
Can a non-resident establish a company in the Netherlands?
Yes. Non-residents can establish a Dutch B.V. without travelling, moving to the Netherlands or appointing a Dutch-resident director. Dutch Business Incorporation specialises in setting up Dutch companies for non-residents, and the incorporation can be arranged remotely with our assistance. We guide clients through the KYC process and explain which supporting documents are required based on who owns and manages the company, where they are based, and the nature of the proposed business activities.
How do you set up a Dutch B.V. online as a non-resident?
Setting up a Dutch B.V. as a non-resident normally involves choosing a company name, completing KYC checks, coordinating preparation of the incorporation documents, signing the required documents, registering the company with KVK, completing the relevant tax registrations and arranging a business bank account. Dutch Business Incorporation coordinates these steps and guides foreign founders throughout the process.
1. Check the company name
We check whether the proposed company name is available for registration with KVK.
2. Complete KYC and collect supporting documents
We guide shareholders and directors through the KYC process and explain which ID, proof of address, ownership and business documents are required. We are experienced in working with foreign corporate documents and can help identify the local equivalent of the documents required by the Dutch notary.
3. Coordinate preparation of the incorporation documents
The Dutch civil-law notary prepares the formal incorporation documents. DBI coordinates the process, provides the required information and helps resolve document questions.
4. Arrange signing and foreign-document formalities
For foreign legal-entity shareholders, additional corporate documents, evidence of authority, notarisation, apostille or local legal assistance may be required. DBI regularly handles these international structures and can help coordinate suitable local lawyers or notaries where necessary.
5. Register the B.V. with KVK
Following incorporation, the Dutch B.V. is registered in the Dutch Business Register and receives its KVK number.
6. Obtain tax registration
The company receives its RSIN after registration. The Dutch Tax Administration then determines which tax registrations apply, such as VAT. We guide clients through any additional registration steps that may be required.
7. Arrange a business bank account with DBI guidance
We provide tailored guidance on banking options for non-resident founders based on nationality, country of residence, business activities and company structure.
How much does it cost to set up a Dutch B.V. as a non-resident?
For a simple Dutch B.V. with one individual shareholder and one individual director, our company formation package is €2,650 including VAT. For non-residents, the total formation cost is influenced by the number of shareholders and directors, whether a foreign legal entity is involved, and the KYC, notarisation and legalisation requirements. Dutch Business Incorporation (DBI) provides a fixed-price quotation before the incorporation process begins.
Notary fees
Notary fees are included in the agreed company formation package, based on the shareholder and company structure.
KVK registration
The Dutch Chamber of Commerce charges a separate registration fee of approximately €80. This fee is not included in our company formation package.
Total formation cost
You receive a fixed-price quotation based on your specific company structure before proceeding.
How long does it take to set up a Dutch B.V. as a non-resident?
Once all required documents have been received in their final signed form and verified as complete, correct and consistent, the Dutch B.V. can normally be registered with KVK within approximately 3 working days. This includes, where applicable, the signed power of attorney and any documents that must be notarised, legalised or apostilled. For non-residents, the period before this stage may vary depending on KYC checks, foreign corporate documents and legalisation requirements.
Can You Establish a Dutch B.V.?
Designed specifically for non-residents.
Receive your free personalised assessment in about one minute.
Based on your answers, you will receive a personalised Dutch B.V. assessment, including the information already available, items that may still need attention, and the next steps before the incorporation process can begin.
Extra Support for Non-Residents Establishing a Dutch B.V.
Our company formation service includes practical post-incorporation support to help non-resident founders avoid common delays, find a suitable business banking option and keep track of important compliance deadlines.
Tailored Business Bank Guidance
Opening the Dutch B.V. is only part of the process. The next practical step is normally arranging a business bank account.
Not every virtual bank accepts non-resident founders. The available options may depend on your nationality, country of residence, business activities and company structure.
As our client, you will receive:
- Tailored guidance based on your specific profile.
- Research into virtual banking options that may be more suitable.
- Help avoding providers that are unlikely to fit your circumstances.
- A clearer route towards applying for a business bank account.
Annual Compliance Calendar
Once your Dutch B.V. is officially registered, you will receive a personalised Compliance Calendar based on your incorporation date.
It highlights the key filing and compliance deadlines that apply to your company, such as VAT returns, annual accounts, AGM dates and corporate income tax deadlines, helping you stay organised and avoid missed filings.
As our client, you will receive:
- A personalised compliance calendar based on your B.V.’s incorporation date.
- A clear overview of the key filing and compliance deadlines that apply to your company.
- A simple reference you can use throughout the year to see what needs to be done and when.
Useful Guides for International Founders
Still researching? These guides explain some of the additional points that may apply when a UK or US company establishes a Dutch presence.
Register a Dutch Company for a UK Business
Learn what UK businesses should prepare when establishing a Dutch company and what additional documents may be required.
Read the UK guide →Dutch B.V. Formation for US Companies
Learn how the shareholder structure and US company documents may affect the Dutch incorporation process.
Read the US guide →A Dutch Branch May Be More Suitable
Some foreign companies do not need to establish a separate Dutch B.V. A Dutch branch may be a more suitable option depending on the planned activities, company structure and long-term goals.
Read about Dutch branch registration →Simple Dutch B.V.
Take the next step towards selling in the European market.
One individual shareholder and one individual director.
- 100% online
- Compliance checks
- No need to move to the Netherlands
- Notarial deed of incorporation
- KVK registration
- Shareholder register
- Unofficial English translation of the deed at no extra charge
- Guidance for non-resident founders
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Support from start to completion
*The price applies to the incorporation of a Dutch B.V. with one individual shareholder and one individual director.
The KVK registration fee and Dutch address is not included and is payable separately.
A different fee may apply where the shareholder or director is a legal entity, where there are several shareholders or directors, or where additional KYC, legalisation or document review is required.
Dutch B.V. Formation for Non-Residents
Establish your Dutch B.V. remotely with guidance through the notary, virtual office, and required documents.
What you need
- to follow compliance procedure;
- to provide legalised identification documents;
- to have a Dutch postal address to register a Dutch limited company at KVK, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce.
What you do not need
- to appoint a dutch director, you can be your own director of the Netherlands B.V. company;
- to find a dutch partner for your dutch company formation;
- to travel to the Netherlands – it is 100% online.
Testmonials
What Our Clients Say
Ready to establish your Dutch B.V.?
Request a personalised fee quote based on your proposed company structure, shareholders, directors and country of residence.
Request a fee quoteFrequently Asked Questions
1. I am not a Dutch resident, can I set up a Dutch B.V. in the Netherlands?
Yes. You can establish and own a Dutch B.V. while living outside the Netherlands, including in UK, US, Singapore, China, South Korea and other non-EU countries.
You do not need to be a Dutch resident or appoint a Dutch-resident director. The incorporation can usually be arranged remotely, although you will need to provide identification, proof of address and information about the company’s activities and shareholders.
There is a non-resident package which specially designed for non-residents to open a company in the Netherlands.
2. What are the basic legal requirements to form a Dutch company in the Netherlands ?
- A registered office which must be a Dutch address, not a PO box.
- We need a copy of the rental contract from the address service provider in order to register a Dutch company at KVK, the dutch chamber of commerce.
- At least 1 director and 1 shareholder (who can be the same person).
3. Do I need a dutch address to set up a B.V.?
Yes, you do need a Dutch address to register at the dutch chamber of Commerce, KVK. Most non-resident owners use virtual office providers in the Netherlands.
4. Do I need to appoint a Dutch director to open a bank account?
No, A non-resident person can also open a business virtual bank account. Our company formation Netherlands package offers free advice for non-resident to open a bank account.
5. Is there a minimum share capital to set up a Dutch B.V.?
No, Dutch B.V. company formation starts with a share’s capital of €1
6. Do you need to keep a register of the director for our Dutch B.V?
No, it is not necessary.
7. If there is no trading after incorporation, do I still need to file a VAT return?
Provided you have applied for a VAT number and the tax authority has approved your VAT number, even though there is no transaction, you still need to file a VAT return on time.
You will need to find a bookkeeper in the Netherlands to file zero VAT return on your behalf and before the timeframe.
If you are in Q1 (1 January to 31 January), the deadline of filing the Q1 VAT return will be 30 April.
8. How do I apply for a dutch VAT number?
Around two weeks after the Dutch company has been incorporated, the tax authority will send a letter and questionnaire to the new B.V. requesting information about the business.
Based on the answers of this questionnaire, the tax authority will decide whether you are eligible for a dutch VAT number.
Please check out how to apply for VAT number for more information.
9. What are the tax filing requirement for a Dutch B.V.?
A Dutch B.V. is required to prepare annual accounts, organize an AGM to approve the annual accounts.
- Submit and file the annual accounts at the KVK six month after the year-end.
- Prepare and file a VAT return at the Belastingdienst (the dutch tax authority)
- Prepare and file an ICP return if the BV is trading with EU members states.
- Prepare and file a corporate income tax return five months after the year-end
- If the Dutch B.V. has employees, it is required to file the wage tax and prepare the monthly payslip.
This post “tax filing in the Netherlands” provides information about tax filing in the Netherlands in more details.
10. How can I appoint and replace a current dutch director?
As a non-resident director, the rules of filing any corporate changes at KVK are different compared to the residents.
This how to appoint and remove a dutch director blog post gives you some insight regarding these topics.
11. After the registration, we received a lot of documents in Dutch, can I request them in English?
No, all the dutch official letters (for example those are sent from the dutch chamber of commerce, the tax authority dealing with VAT, Corporate income tax return and wage tax are all written in Dutch.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to request in English version.
We have a dealing with incoming correspondence for non-residents directors to make their lives easier and stress free.
12. What document do I receive after a dutch company is registered at KVK?
You will receive the below documents:
1. an original deed of incorporation executed by a dutch notary
2.a copy of an extract issues by the dutch chamber of commerce, “KVK”
3.A shareholder register which lists the information of the shareholders and whether there are any shares of the company being pledged.
13. Do I need to travel to the Netherlands to set up a Dutch BV company?
No. A non-resident can usually set up a Dutch B.V. remotely without travelling to the Netherlands. You will need to provide identification, proof of address and information about the proposed company, shareholders and directors.
Depending on your country of residence, additional identification, notarisation or legalisation requirements may apply.
14. Can I set up a Dutch company without moving to the Netherlands?
Yes. In fact, most of our clients run their Dutch companies while continuing to live in their own countries.