The decision table
| Factor | Netherlands | Hungary |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate tax | 19% to €200,000; 25.8% above | 9% – the EU’s lowest headline |
| Dividends up & out | 0% pooling from a 5% stake; box 2 at 24.5% on your timing | Full exemption with registration |
| Personal layer for founders | 30% ruling on arrival; published rates, real levers | 15% flat personal |
| Market & operations | EU-core logistics; English-first; deep talent | Cost-competitive; Budapest’s central position |
Reviewed 18 August 2026; figures reflect common 2026 practice.
Where Hungary genuinely wins
Hungary wins the rate war outright: 9% corporate, 15% flat personal – for margin-driven operations the arithmetic is loud.
Where the Netherlands wins
The Dutch counter is quieter and compounding: treaty access that opens doors, banking that onboards, an exemption regime built for group charts – and for €750M+ groups the global top-up flattens the 9% anyway. The mechanics behind the Dutch column: the holding explained and substance that convinces.
The verdict per profile
Cost-driven operating entities: Hungary states its case. The holding, the treaty claims and the international face: the Netherlands – the pairing several groups run drama-free.