The vehicle: the BV
Dutch company formation for international founders runs through the BV — the private limited company: limited liability, registered shares from €0.01, one shareholder and one director as the minimum, and full recognition across the EU. The shareholder may be a person or a company, and both may sit anywhere in the world. The BV incorporation page covers the entity itself in depth; American readers find the concept translation in the Dutch LLC guide.
The formation process
- Structure design. Single BV or a holding with an operating company underneath — formed together in one notary visit, the holding adds the participation exemption from day one.
- Documents. A passport copy, a notarised power of attorney in English, and — from outside the EU — an apostille per your country’s route; every country page names the issuing authority.
- The notarial deed. Executed remotely with video identification; the company exists the moment the notary signs.
- KVK and UBO registration. Filed in the same flow at €85,15; the KVK number arrives within days.
- Tax registrations. VAT (BTW) and corporate tax activate directly after; the VAT number carries EU-wide invoicing.
- Banking. Dutch and fintech banks onboard foreign-owned companies at different speeds — the banking guide ranks the realistic options.
The costs in 2026
| Item | 2026 |
|---|---|
| KVK registration — one-time, every legal form | €85,15 |
| Share capital — legal minimum | €0.01 |
| Notarial deed — online notary | €400–€700 |
| Notarial deed — notary office | €1,200–€3,000 |
A complete first-year picture — deed, registration, accounting and the holding option — stands in the cost guide, and the cost calculator runs your numbers.
Formation from abroad
Ownership and directorship are open worldwide; formation asks for a Dutch registered address, and residence stays a separate route. Registering as a non-resident and setting up the BV from abroad walk the mechanics; US citizens carry the strongest residence option through the DAFT treaty, and every treaty line and apostille route stands on the country pages under starting a business in the Netherlands.
Structure first, deed second
The deed is the simple part. The decisions that determine what the company returns are taken before it: single BV or holding, where the director salary lands, how profit compounds inside the structure and how it comes out one day — the strategy on the tax optimization pillar. That is where the work starts: a written calculation on your situation and the 2026 figures, with corporate services carrying the company after formation and every rate on the figures page.
Terms on this page
- BV (besloten vennootschap)
- The Dutch private limited company: a legal entity with registered shares and limited liability, so the shareholder’s private assets stay separate from business debts. Incorporation runs through a notarial deed; capital starts from €0.01.
- KVK (Chamber of Commerce)
- The keeper of the Dutch trade register in which every business is listed with its KVK number, directors and establishment details. For a BV, the notary files the registration.
- Notarial deed
- The document executed by a Dutch civil-law notary that brings the BV into existence, containing its articles of association. Execution works in person or remotely with a power of attorney and video identification.
- Power of attorney
- The written authorisation that lets someone sign the notarial deed on the founder’s behalf. For remote incorporation the signature is legalised; from abroad an apostille is usually added.
- UBO
- The ultimate beneficial owner: the natural person who ultimately owns or controls a company, generally from a twenty-five percent interest. Registration runs through the KVK’s UBO register.
This page describes the general process for 2026; what it means for your situation follows from a personal conversation.
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