What changed with the Flex-BV?
Before October 2012, incorporating a Dutch BV required a minimum share capital of €18,000. The Flex-BV legislation (Wet vereenvoudiging en flexibilisering BV-recht) abolished this requirement. In 2026, you can incorporate a BV with a share capital of as little as €0.01.
Key changes from Flex-BV
- No minimum capital: you can incorporate with €0.01 nominal share capital
- Flexible share structures: different classes of shares with different voting rights or profit rights are now easier to create
- Distribution test: replaces the capital protection rules — dividends require a solvency test instead of a minimum capital requirement
- Simplified articles: standard provisions can be included in law rather than requiring custom articles
- No bank statement required: previously a bank had to confirm the capital deposit; this is no longer required
Does low share capital mean lower credibility?
Not necessarily. Sophisticated parties (banks, investors, large clients) will look at the BV's actual equity, retained profits and track record — not the nominal share capital. However, for commercial credibility, some entrepreneurs choose to inject €10,000–€50,000 as starting capital even though it is not required.