The scorecard
| Country | Main strength | The note |
|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | All four in one place: Rotterdam and Schiphol, top connectivity, multilingual staff, strong contract law | The housing shortage is the main limit |
| Germany | The large home market | Formal procedures slow things down |
| Ireland | English-language law and close ties to US companies | Logistics are harder on an island |
| Belgium / France | Close to the EU institutions; large markets | High costs and formal labour rules |
| Poland / Czechia | Many skilled workers; strong manufacturing base | Headquarters functions are still often placed in the west |
Reviewed 18 August 2026.
Why the Netherlands scores highest overall
Want stock close to your EU customers? See how importing and distributing through the Netherlands works.
Most companies that enter the EU need four things at once. They need a port for their goods, fast digital connections, staff who speak five languages and contracts that business partners accept right away. The Netherlands scores near the top on each point and highest on the combination. You can read more in what EU entry gives you and the article on an EU headquarters in the Netherlands.
Compare the Netherlands with Ireland and Germany on tax, substance, running costs and time. See setting up a Dutch subsidiary for a foreign parent company.
Using the ranking
Give each point a weight that suits your own priorities. For a business with many goods, the port score is the most important, and Rotterdam scores highest. For a digital business, talent and law are the most important. Here the Randstad and Dublin are close. See the comparison of the Netherlands and Ireland. Manufacturers often combine a factory in the east with a headquarters in the west.