Register a company in Netherlands is one of the most popular ways to immigration to Netherlands for entrepreneurs and business owners.
Dutch law requires a valid residence permit for most entrepreneurial activities if you plan to reside in the country, manage the business, or perform work. Registration with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) is mandatory for most businesses, but it usually requires a BSN (Citizen Service Number) and a residence permit first.
The process involves 2 main steps:
- Get a residence permit (via IND – Immigration and Naturalisation Service)
- Register the company at KVK (after arriving or meeting prerequisites)
In this article, explain everything in detail. First of all, let’s see the company’s legal structures:
Legal Structure of Companies in the Netherlands
The Dutch system divides business structures into 2 main categories:
- Without legal personality (you are the business; personal liability applies)
- With legal personality (the business is a separate legal entity; liability protection applies)
- Sole Proprietorship (Eenmanszaak)
- Best for: Freelancers, small businesses, one-person operations.
- Owned by one person
- No minimum capital
- Fast and inexpensive to register
- You are personally liable for all debts
- General Partnership (Vennootschap onder firma – VOF)
- Best for: Two or more founders running a business together.
- Partners share profits and liabilities
- No minimum capital
- Limited Partnership (Commanditaire vennootschap – CV)
- Best for: Businesses with active partners + silent investors.
- General partners → full liability
- Limited partners → liability limited to their investment
- Professional Partnership (Maatschap)
- Best for: Lawyers, doctors, architects, accountants.
- Partners share profits
- Each partner liable for their own professional mistakes
- Private Limited Company (Besloten vennootschap – BV)
- Most popular choice for foreign entrepreneurs.
- Separate legal entity
- Liability limited to company assets
- No minimum capital (can start with €0.01)
- Shares privately held (not publicly traded)
- Public Limited Company (Naamloze vennootschap – NV)
- Best for: Large companies planning to issue public shares.
- Minimum capital: €45,000
- Shares can be publicly traded
- Association (Vereniging)
- Best for: Clubs, sports groups, member organizations.
- Members, board, and bylaws
- Can be commercial or non-commercial
- Cooperative (Coöperatie)
- Best for: Groups of entrepreneurs sharing resources.
- Pros: Flexible profit distribution
- Popular for holding structures
- Foundation (Stichting)
- Best for: Nonprofits, holding assets, estate planning.
- No owners or shareholders
- Can own a business or assets
- Often used for charities or holding structures
Register a Company in Netherlands
Phase 1: Obtain a Residence Permit
You have 2 main options as an entrepreneur or business owner:
Option 1: Dutch Start-Up Residence Permit (Recommended for Innovative Businesses)
The Netherlands start-up visa is a 1-year permit for non-EU founders launching a scalable, technology-based startup.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Your idea must be innovative
- You must partner with a recognized Dutch facilitator and sign an agreement for support
- Sufficient financial means to support yourself (aligned with general living costs; check current IND requirements)
- No criminal record, valid passport, etc
✅ Tips: This route is faster and more supportive than the other option (self-employed path). Use RVO’s resources for getting the facilitator list and support programs.
Option 2: Self-Employed Persons Residence Permit
Nethrlands self-employed visa is suitable for non-innovative businesses, freelancers, or established entrepreneurs.
Key Eligibility Criteria (2026 updates):
- The business plan must show economic benefit to NL
- Proof of sufficient income: Gross profit at least €1,734.57 per month (including holiday allowance) from Jan–Jun 2026
- Qualifications/experience relevant to the business
- Some cases require minimum capital investment (e.g., €4,500 for certain forms)
Register a Company in Netherlands
Phase 2: Registration at KVK
Once you have a residence permit and BSN, register at KVK. This is mandatory if you supply goods/services for profit independently.
Prerequisites:
- Valid residence permit (non-EU)
- Have a BSN (get at municipality after arrival; or RNIBSN for short stays)
- Have a physical address in the Netherlands
- Choose an unique trade name (check via KVK Name Check tool)
- Choose legal structure (use tool at business.gov.nl)
How to Register a Company in Netherlands: Step-by-Step
Prepare: Dutch address proof, ID, business details (activities, SBI code).
Fill online KVK form (personal + business info).
Bookan in-person appointment at KVK office (mandatory).
Attend appointment: Bring documents; get KVK number immediately.
Pay one-time fee (invoiced after; amount not fixed on site – check current).
Automatic transfer to Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) → receive VAT numbers by post (VAT ID for invoices, VAT tax number for admin).
Final Note: Tips and Warnings
- Use “business.gov.nl” personal to-do list and step-by-step plan.
- Starting from abroad: See business.gov.nl/starting-your-business/starting-situations/starting-a-business-in-the-netherlands-from-abroad/.
- Get professional help: Immigration consultant + notary (for BV) + accountant.
- Penalties for non-compliance are high.
- Check permits/licenses for your sector (e.g., food, health).
- Tools: Legal structure chooser, Name Check, to-do list.
FAQs
Yes, third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA) can start a company, but you need a valid residence permit (e.g., startup or self-employed) to register at KVK and legally operate/manage it.
The KVK one-time registration fee is €85.15 (from 1 January 2026); for BV add notary fees (€500–€1,500+), and total setup often €1,000–€3,000+ depending on structure.
Get a Dutch address and BSN, choose a legal structure and unique name, fill the online KVK form, book an in-person appointment at a KVK office, and attend with ID/address proof to receive your KVK number immediately.
The in-person KVK appointment is quick (often same day), giving you the KVK number immediately; preparation, booking, and full setup (including notary for BV) can take days to weeks.
The 30% ruling is a tax benefit for highly skilled expats recruited from abroad, allowing employers to pay 30% of salary tax-free as reimbursement for extraterritorial costs (up to 5 years, with 2026 salary norms: min €48,013 gross, max untaxed €78,600).
Yes for a simple sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) with minimal costs, but you’ll need extra for residence permit fees, living expenses, and potential notary/bank setup if choosing BV or scaling up.
Corporate income tax is 19% on taxable profits up to €200,000 and 25.8% on amounts above (unchanged in 2026; applies to BVs and similar entities; sole proprietors pay personal income tax instead).
