Company Registration in the Netherlands
Who May Be Interested in Registering a Company in the Netherlands
According to the legislation of many countries, the Netherlands is not considered an offshore jurisdiction. The country has signed treaties to avoid double taxation with 99 countries.
Company registration in the Netherlands typically attracts entrepreneurs looking to reinvest personal offshore capital into subsidiary companies. This opens up broad opportunities for asset redistribution and sales, including real estate.
Business Registration in the Netherlands: Taxation Features
Since January 1, 2011, corporate tax rates in the Netherlands are 20% or 25%. The lower rate applies to companies with profits up to €200,000, while the higher rate applies to profits above this threshold.
Capital gains tax and stamp duty are 0%.
No withholding tax applies to the following types of income:
- Interest;
- Royalties.
Dividends are taxed at 15% unless exemptions apply.
Value-added tax (VAT) is 21%, but favorable rates of 6% or 0% are available, making company registration in the Netherlands advantageous.
Company Operation in the Netherlands: Regulatory Framework
The legal forms of businesses and their structures are defined in Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
Corporate taxation is governed by the 1969 Corporate Income Tax Act.
A company must have at least one director, who can be an individual or legal entity of any residency. Director information is public.
Each company must have at least one shareholder. Shareholder information is accessible only to other shareholders.
Annual meetings of shareholders and directors are mandatory.
Company Registration in the Netherlands: Naming Requirements
The company name must not duplicate or closely resemble existing names. Names referring directly or indirectly to government entities are prohibited.
Some words, such as “Insurance” or “Bank,” require special licenses.
Permitted suffixes include B.V., N.V., COOP, and any words reflecting the company’s business activities.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Company Registration in the Netherlands
Registration costs depend on the chosen legal form. The most popular form is a private limited liability company (BV), with a symbolic minimum capital of €0.01 and at least one director and one shareholder.
Other options include a public limited company (NV) with a minimum capital of €45,000 and at least one director and shareholder.
Cooperative (UA) and limited partnership (CV) forms require at least two shareholders and one director; UA does not require a beneficiary, while CV can have an anonymous one. Directors and shareholders can be individuals or legal entities.
Advantages of Opening a Private Foundation in the Netherlands
A Stichting Administratiekantoor (private foundation) can act as a shareholder in a BV, allowing the beneficial owner to hold all foundation certificates.
The foundation can be established by notarial deed and registered with the Dutch Trade Register. It is tax-transparent, requires no audit, and can own assets, including shares in domestic or foreign companies. Certificates representing ownership can be held by any individual or legal entity, with personal data remaining private.
Business Registration in the Netherlands: Taxation Features
Since January 1, 2011, corporate tax rates in the Netherlands are 20% or 25%. The lower rate applies to companies with profits up to €200,000, while the higher rate applies to profits above this threshold.
Capital gains tax and stamp duty are 0%.
No withholding tax applies to the following types of income:
- Interest;
- Royalties.
Dividends are taxed at 15% unless exemptions apply.
Value-added tax (VAT) is 21%, but favorable rates of 6% or 0% are available, making company registration in the Netherlands advantageous.
Company Operation in the Netherlands: Regulatory Framework
The legal forms of businesses and their structures are defined in Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
Corporate taxation is governed by the 1969 Corporate Income Tax Act.
A company must have at least one director, who can be an individual or legal entity of any residency. Director information is public.
Each company must have at least one shareholder. Shareholder information is accessible only to other shareholders.
Annual meetings of shareholders and directors are mandatory.
Company Registration in the Netherlands: Naming Requirements
The company name must not duplicate or closely resemble existing names. Names referring directly or indirectly to government entities are prohibited.
Some words, such as “Insurance” or “Bank,” require special licenses.
Permitted suffixes include B.V., N.V., COOP, and any words reflecting the company’s business activities.
Factors Affecting the Cost of Company Registration in the Netherlands
Registration costs depend on the chosen legal form. The most popular form is a private limited liability company (BV), with a symbolic minimum capital of €0.01 and at least one director and one shareholder.
Other options include a public limited company (NV) with a minimum capital of €45,000 and at least one director and shareholder.
Cooperative (UA) and limited partnership (CV) forms require at least two shareholders and one director; UA does not require a beneficiary, while CV can have an anonymous one. Directors and shareholders can be individuals or legal entities.
Advantages of Opening a Private Foundation in the Netherlands
A Stichting Administratiekantoor (private foundation) can act as a shareholder in a BV, allowing the beneficial owner to hold all foundation certificates.
The foundation can be established by notarial deed and registered with the Dutch Trade Register. It is tax-transparent, requires no audit, and can own assets, including shares in domestic or foreign companies. Certificates representing ownership can be held by any individual or legal entity, with personal data remaining private.
Free initial consultation on legal issues, related to the daily activities of the business
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