What you can do under temporary protection

Under the EU temporary protection framework, Ukrainians have the right to live and work in the Netherlands, also as self-employed. When you register with the municipality, you get a citizen service number (BSN). You need this number for banking, payroll and setting up a company. You can register a business, set up a BV (besloten vennootschap, the Dutch private limited company) and run it like any other resident. If you plan to stay long term, you can also look into the permanent options (self-employed, startup) at the same time. The years you already spent here count toward the future.

Why a registered business helps now

  • Banking: with a documented file, you can open a Dutch business account and receive your platform income there. See banking for creators. This is more reliable than an improvised arrangement across borders.
  • One set of rules: as a Dutch resident, you work under Dutch law and Dutch tax rules. This also applies to types of content that are treated differently in Ukraine.
  • Stability: your company pays you a steady salary and keeps reserves for uneven years. This helps in an unstable time. A lower customary salary is allowed if comparable work pays less, or for up to three years while a new BV is still unable to pay the full salary. You can also borrow up to €500,000 from your own BV. The lower salary is what saves tax. At €36,000 in place of €58,000, you keep about €7,100 a year more. After a later dividend, about €2,800 of that remains. The loan gives you access to money, but your tax stays the same. Calculate it with your own figures.
  • The 0% US royalty rate on American platform revenue, once you are a Dutch resident and your forms show this. See US withholding.

Your ties to Ukraine

Ukrainian tax residence, assets in Ukraine and family situations differ too much for one standard answer. If you keep important ties with Ukraine, have one written consultation with a Ukrainian adviser while you set up the Dutch structure. That way, your affairs are in order in both countries. We set up the Dutch structure, document it in writing and work at your pace.

The sequence

Registration and BSN, banking file, structure set up, platforms updated: the standard order is in relocating to Amsterdam. The privacy approach from the address decision applies from day one.