Three uses of the BV
- Trade: the BV imports Saudi products, such as petrochemicals, building materials and food, and sells them across the EU with one VAT number.
- Investment: the BV owns European stakes under the participation exemption, like other investment companies from the Gulf.
- Presence: the BV is the EU contract partner for business partners, tenders and staff.
How trade works
Exporting from Saudi Arabia to EU buyers? See how your own Dutch company becomes the EU importer for Gulf exporters.
Under Article 23, imports are VAT-neutral. For products under the EU carbon border tax (CBAM), such as aluminium and aluminium products, the importing company does the reporting. See CBAM for Saudi producers. Sales to businesses in other EU countries are taxed at a documented 0%.
Importing steel, aluminium, cement or fertiliser? See how your own Dutch company becomes the authorised CBAM declarant.
Ownership and governance
The Saudi parent owns 100% of the shares. The group sets its own rules for management and control. The Dutch formalities, registers, resolutions and filings are kept ready for an audit. If a family group plans more European businesses, it adds a holding company on top.
Is your group setting up a Dutch entity? See setting up a Dutch subsidiary for what you need, how long it takes and what the parent company must sign.
The setup from Riyadh or Jeddah
You can set up the BV remotely, usually within one week once all documents are complete. For the bank account, you hand in the complete file. You build up substance as the activity increases. Start with BV incorporation. See the Saudi exporters article for more about exports.