How it works
A company can be owned by other companies. At the top of the chain, there is always a person. Under the UBO rules, that person must be registered. A UBO is a natural person with more than 25% of the shares, the voting rights or the economic interest in a company. He or she can hold this directly or through other companies. A natural person who has control in another way is also a UBO.
A BV registers its UBOs with the KVK within a week after incorporation. It updates the register when the ownership changes. The register contains the name, date and place of birth, nationality, home address, the citizen service number (BSN) or foreign tax number, and the nature and size of the interest. Since November 2022, the register is closed to the general public. Since 16 July 2025, banks, notaries and accountants can see the name, month and year of birth, nationality, country of residence and the nature and size of the interest. Authorities such as the tax authority see the full record. Access for others with a legitimate interest, such as journalists, follows later.
When a company has several owners and each of them owns 25% or less, the directors are registered as pseudo-UBOs. A foundation such as a STAK registers its board members and, where applicable, the certificate holders above the threshold.
Banks, notaries and accountants must verify the UBO before they start working for a company. Provide an ownership chart with the UBO at the top. The checks for the bank account and the VAT number then go faster.
Example
A Spanish company owns 100% of a Dutch BV. The Spanish company is owned 60% by Ms García and 40% by Mr Ruiz. Both hold more than 25% through the chain. Both are therefore registered as UBO of the Dutch BV, with the size of their indirect interest.
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
Is the UBO register public?
The register has been closed to the public since November 2022. Since 16 July 2025, only authorities and organisations that must check their clients, such as banks, notaries and accountants, can see it. Access for others with a legitimate interest, such as journalists, follows later.
What if the company is owned by a listed company?
Some companies are owned, at the top of the chain, by a company listed on a regulated exchange. These companies are exempt from registering the shareholders of the listed company. The directors are registered in their place.
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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