Knowledge Hub
Dutch Business & Tax Knowledge Base 2026
861 English guides on doing business in and from the Netherlands, written for international entrepreneurs and updated to the 2026 and 2027 figures. See how we verify this claim →
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Each guide is about one question that founders from abroad ask. Examples are what a Dutch company costs and how you register it from abroad. Other questions are about what you pay yourself, how dividend is taxed and when a holding is worth it. Start with the four main topics, or use the document check to see which papers your country requires.
BV Incorporation
Complete guide to setting up a Dutch BV: costs, timeline, notary and KVK registration.
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Holding Structures
How the Dutch structure with a holding and an operating company works, and how much tax you can save with it.
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BV vs. Sole Trader
When does a BV become more tax-efficient than a sole trader? Find the exact profit threshold.
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DGA Salary Calculator
Calculate your optimal director salary and dividend split for 2026. Live calculator with official tax rates.
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Entity Comparison
Compare all Dutch legal structures: sole trader, general partnership (VOF), BV and holding. Tax, liability and setup costs.
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FAQ
Answers to the most common questions about Dutch BV formation, corporate tax and doing business in the Netherlands.
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The complete English library has 861 guides on all areas of Dutch business, tax and legal structures, sorted by topic. If you are new, start with Doing Business in the Netherlands.
Selling Your Business
16 guides
Selling a Business via a BV: How Much Tax Do You Pay?
When you sell your business through a BV (besloten vennootschap, the Dutch private limited company), you can pay very little tax…
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Selling BV Shares: Tax in 2026
In 2026, the gain on selling the shares of your BV (besloten vennootschap, the Dutch private limited company) is taxed in box 2…
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Selling Your Business: Step-by-Step Guide 2026
Selling a Dutch business usually takes 6–18 months, from the first conversation to the closing. The process has six steps. At…
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Business Valuation: Methods and Multiples 2026
Dutch businesses are usually valued with three methods: a multiple of EBITDA (profit before interest, tax, depreciation and…
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Transferring a Business to Your Child: Business Succession Scheme (BOR) 2026
With the Dutch Business Succession Scheme (BOR, Bedrijfsopvolgingsregeling), you can transfer a business to your children with a…
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Goodwill in Business Transfer: What Is It and How Does It Work?
Goodwill is the value of your business above its net assets. It is based on customer relationships, brand, processes and…
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Preparing Your BV for Sale: the 12-Month Plan
Plan about twelve months to prepare your BV (besloten vennootschap, the Dutch private limited company) for sale. Buyers pay more…
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Share Sale or Asset Sale: How Dutch Deals Compare
Every Dutch company sale is either a share sale or an asset sale. You sell the shares in the BV (besloten vennootschap, the Dutch…
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Valuing a Dutch SME: the Three Valuation Methods
In almost every sale of a Dutch small or medium-sized company (SME), the parties use three valuation methods. The method gives a…
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Earn-Outs in Dutch Deals: Paying Part of the Price Later
With an earn-out, the buyer pays a base price now and an extra payment later, once the agreed numbers are reached. Parties use it…
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Due Diligence from the Seller’s Side: Preparing the Data Room
As a seller, you prepare for due diligence by finding every problem before the buyer does. In due diligence, buyers often change…
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The Management Buy-Out: Structuring an MBO in the Netherlands
In a management buy-out (MBO), you sell your company to your own managers. You give up the highest bidder, and in return the…
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Transferring the Company to Your Children: the BOR Scheme
When you pass your company to your children, special tax rules apply. Under the business succession scheme (BOR), real business…
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Pre-Exit Restructuring: Getting the Holding in Place in Time
The single most expensive structuring mistake in Dutch exits is a missing holding company. Shares held privately are sold and…
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Tax on Selling Your Company in the Netherlands
The tax on selling your Dutch company depends on how you sell: as a private shareholder, through a holding, or in an asset deal…
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After the Sale: Box 2 Planning for the Proceeds
After the sale, you plan your tax by choosing what to take out of your holding privately, and when. The proceeds are in your…
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The Dutch knowledge base at /kennisbank has 495 in-depth articles in Dutch on every aspect of Dutch business and tax law.