Why UAE investors buy Dutch property

The Netherlands has a structural shortage of hundreds of thousands of homes. Vacancy is close to zero, and tenant demand stays high in every market cycle. If your UAE portfolio is built on high yields, you add stability with Dutch homes. With logistics property along the Rotterdam corridor, you add extra income.

Purchase costs and the choice of structure

Transfer tax is 2% for a home you live in, 8% for residential investment property and 10.4% for commercial property. Most investors hold their portfolio in a BV. The BV pays corporate tax of 19% on the first €200,000 of net rental profit and 25.8% above that. It can deduct all costs. A holding company is placed above the BV. The rate on dividends paid to the UAE is set in the tax treaty. See the dividend map. Private ownership in box 3 (36% on a deemed return above €59,357 per person) suits a single property. For the comparison, see BV or private.

Investing in Dutch property from abroad? Compare buying privately or through a Dutch company, and the transfer tax that applies.

Buying from the Emirates

The entity is set up first, and this can happen remotely: the UAE incorporation guide. After that comes the power of attorney, notarial escrow and same-day title registration, so a buying trip is optional. Financing applications from UAE owners go smoothly once ownership and the source of funds are documented: the onboarding playbook.

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.

In the Netherlands, a family office has three parts: a holding company, a foundation that issues depositary receipts (STAK) and a foundation for giving. Families organise the decisions in three ways. Read more on a family office in the Netherlands.

Rules for renting out property

Dutch residential letting is regulated. For rents in the affordable segment, a points system applies. In some city areas, purchase-protection rules also apply to cheaper homes. Professional investors include these rules in their price. They buy mid-market and free-sector homes, logistics property and offices with a green label. Local legal advice for each property is part of the standard package. See the corporate services.