What families need from a second base
Saudi families usually want three things from a second base. They want very good schools for the children and a real business in the EU, a market of 450 million consumers. They also want a place where the family likes to spend the summer. The Netherlands has international schools in the Randstad. It has the BV and holding structure, and a tax treaty with Saudi Arabia. Its neighbourhoods suit family life. See relocating your family from Saudi Arabia.
Adding a European base to your Gulf business? See how Gulf owners set up a Dutch holding, with the treaty rates and the bank file.
How the structure works
One Dutch holding company owns all the companies. The operating BV does the European business and pays 19% corporate tax on profit up to €200,000. A separate BV owns the property. See Dutch real estate through a BV. The holding company pays dividends to the family in Saudi Arabia under the tax treaty between the two countries. See a Dutch holding for your Gulf group. Vision-2030 companies that expand into Europe use the same structure. See expanding into Europe from Saudi Arabia.
How much time you spend here
You choose how you use the base. You can own the company fully from abroad (see owning a Dutch BV while living abroad). The family can live here for part of the year, around the school calendar. You can also relocate completely when that suits the family. The substance you need depends on your choice. See the substance requirements.
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.
Setting up in 90 days
You set up the company remotely, usually within one week once all documents are complete. See how to incorporate from Saudi Arabia. At the same time, you make the school shortlist. You look for a home at the right time of year. Follow the private-wealth checklist to do everything in the right order.