What Dutch law requires

The BV chooses its own directors. They can have any nationality and live in any country. Founders can set up the BV fully from their own country. See setting up a Dutch BV as a non-resident for the steps.

When a director in the Netherlands helps

  • Tax residence and treaties: a company is tax resident where its board takes the decisions. If the board meets abroad, the company can become tax resident abroad. With a director who lives in the Netherlands, the company keeps its tax residence here. This point is on the substance checklist.
  • Bank onboarding: with a director in the Netherlands, the customer checks of the bank (KYC) usually take less time.
  • Sector licences: for some regulated activities, the regulator asks for a board member who is present in the Netherlands.

Other ways to show Dutch management

One way is a co-director in the Netherlands next to the founder abroad. Another is a fixed calendar of board meetings in the Netherlands. A third is a manager in the Netherlands with a power of attorney for defined tasks only. See the management agreement for how to set out these roles.

You appoint your own directors, also when they are family members. We can write the rules for the board and record its decisions.