Set up a company in the Netherlands from Pakistan

If you live in Pakistan

1. A stamped copy of your passport

   Take your passport (Pakistan) to a notary in Pakistan. The notary makes a copy and stamps it to confirm it is real. Pakistan does not use the apostille sticker, so after the notary the document needs official legalisation stamps instead. Pakistan issues apostilles, but the Netherlands does not accept them. For use in the Netherlands the document is legalised by the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Islamabad, or the camp offices in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta); no further stamp from the Dutch embassy is needed. Documents in English need no translation; Urdu documents need a sworn translation. The Dutch notary accepts the document once these stamps are on it.

   For advisers

   Certified true copy of a valid passport, legalised in the country of residence.

2. Proof of where you live

   A recent bank statement, utility bill or official letter with your name and home address in Pakistan, not older than three months. No stamps needed.

   For advisers

   Proof of residential address, dated within three months.

3. The signing form (power of attorney)

   We send you a short form that lets the Dutch notary sign the incorporation deed on your behalf, so you do not have to travel. Sign it in front of a notary in Pakistan. Sign the power of attorney before a Pakistani notary public (oath commissioner); the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) then attests the notary’s seal with the apostille. Then it needs the same official stamp as your passport copy: official legalisation stamps.

   For advisers

   Notarial power of attorney on the Dutch notary's model, signature certified and legalised.

4. A short ownership statement

   A one-page form from us where you confirm who owns and controls the new company and whether you hold a public position. Sign, scan, send. No stamps needed.

   For advisers

   Declaration of ultimate beneficial owners (UBO) and politically exposed persons (PEP) on the notary's model.

If a company from Pakistan becomes a shareholder

1. A fresh extract from the company register

   An official printout that shows the company exists, who the directors are and who may sign. It must be less than three months old. Where to get it: Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). Certified company profile and Form 29 (directors) and Form A (shareholders); commercial documents are first attested by the Chamber of Commerce. Have a local notary certify the printout. Pakistan does not use the apostille sticker, so after the notary the document needs official legalisation stamps instead. Pakistan issues apostilles, but the Netherlands does not accept them. For use in the Netherlands the document is legalised by the Pakistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Islamabad, or the camp offices in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar and Quetta); no further stamp from the Dutch embassy is needed. Documents in English need no translation; Urdu documents need a sworn translation. The Dutch notary accepts the document once these stamps are on it.

   For advisers

   Certified extract from the commercial register (max. three months), legalised.

2. The company's founding documents

   The articles of association (the rules of the company) and the certificate of incorporation. A copy certified by the notary in Pakistan is enough.

   For advisers

   Articles of association and certificate of incorporation, certified copies.

3. Proof of who may sign for the company

   If the register extract already shows who may sign, this is done. If not, a short board decision (resolution) that names the person who signs the Dutch documents, signed by the directors.

   For advisers

   Evidence of signing authority: register entry or board resolution.

4. A drawing of who owns the company

   A simple chart from the company down to the people who ultimately own it, with percentages. One page. We give you a template.

   For advisers

   Ownership structure chart down to the natural persons who ultimately own the company (UBO chain).

The person who signs for the company and every owner with 25% or more also sends a stamped passport copy and proof of address, following the route of the country where they live.

Good to know: Ask for legalisation, not an apostille: a Pakistani apostille is refused in the Netherlands. Originals from the Pakistani company regulator (SECP) are attested; photocopies must be attested by the regulator first.