How it works
The founder signs a short document. In it, the founder authorises a person to sign the deed of incorporation in their name. This person is usually a staff member of the Dutch notary. The document contains the name of the BV, the share capital, the shares and the directors. The signer can do only what the founder decided.
The founder’s signature must be verified. A local notary or another authorised official confirms that the founder signed the document in person. In most countries, an apostille is then added. With the apostille, that confirmation is valid in the Netherlands. In some countries, a different legalisation procedure applies.
The Dutch notary also identifies the founder with a certified passport copy. When the power of attorney is legalised and the identification is done, the notary signs the deed. The founder receives the deed and the KVK extract by e-mail.
A company that founds a BV signs the power of attorney through its own directors. It adds an extract from its home register. If the notary asks for it, the company also adds a legal opinion or a board resolution.
Example
A founder in Toronto prints the power of attorney and signs it in front of a Canadian notary public. The founder then sends it to the provincial authority for an apostille. Ten days later the original is in the Netherlands. The Dutch notary signs the deed that week.
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 original document have to be sent by post?
Most notaries need the original with the apostille. Some countries issue electronic apostilles, which the notary accepts digitally. We confirm the procedure for each country before the founder signs.
Can the power of attorney be in English?
Yes. Notaries provide it in English or in a bilingual version, so the founder signs a text they can read.
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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