How it works
A Dutch BV exists from the moment a civil-law notary signs the deed of incorporation. In the deed, the notary records the founders, the share capital, the shareholders and the first directors. The articles of association are part of the deed. They contain the name, seat, purpose, share classes and the rules for the board and the shareholders.
The notary checks the identity of the founder and the origin of the share capital. The notary also confirms that the founder understands the deed. Founders abroad sign a power of attorney and stay at home. Their signature is legalised in their own country, usually with an apostille. They send the document by courier with a certified passport copy.
The notary registers the BV with the KVK right after signing. The BV then has its KVK number, its RSIN and its extract. For later changes to the articles, such as a new name or new share classes, you need a new deed.
The deed is in Dutch, because the Dutch Civil Code requires this. Most notaries provide an English translation or an English version of the articles for the founder’s file.
Example
A founder in Singapore signs the power of attorney at a notary public in Singapore. The apostille is added there as well. A courier brings the document to the Dutch notary. The Dutch notary checks the certified passport copy and signs the deed. The founder now has a Dutch BV and has stayed in Singapore the whole time.
The figures
Every rate for 2026 is listed in Netherlands tax rates 2026, and the figures for 2027 are in Netherlands tax rates 2027.
Questions people ask
Does the founder have to be in the Netherlands?
The founder can stay abroad. Setting up a BV remotely is normal practice. The founder signs a power of attorney and has the signature legalised, with an apostille if the country requires it. The notary then signs the deed.
Can the articles be in English?
The deed itself is in Dutch. The notary can add an English version of the articles as an official translation. The founder and foreign shareholders then read exactly what was signed.
Holdwise, Hoofddorp. We keep this definition in line with our Dutch and German glossaries, and the figures are those for the tax year 2026. Updated 30 September 2026.
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