Since Brexit, payment firms with a UK licence have lost their passport for the European Economic Area (EEA). A licence from the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) now applies only in the UK. To serve customers in the EU again, a firm needs one EU licence. UK fintechs often choose the Netherlands for this licence. The supervisor is De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB), and the Dutch payments sector is similar to London's.
The UK group incorporates a Dutch BV, and the BV obtains the payment institution or e-money licence. With the passport, the group can again serve thirty countries under one authorisation. You run the business from an English-speaking base, an hour from London. We set up the Dutch BV for your UK group so it is ready for the supervisor, and work with regulatory lawyers on the application.
What you get back with a Dutch company
With one DNB licence, the BV can offer its services across the EEA after a notification. European merchants sign contracts with a European company under EU law. Client funds are safeguarded under Dutch rules. The group then has two licences: FCA for the UK market and DNB for the EEA. Most larger UK payment firms have chosen this structure since 2021.
Why UK firms choose the Netherlands
English is the working language. You use it for the application file, for contact with the supervisor and for daily business. The Dutch payments sector is the most developed on the continent, and leading European payment companies built it. London is an hour away by air, and there are daily trains. The Netherlands also has one of the largest British business communities in the EU. The tax treaty between the Netherlands and the UK applies to the group structure.
Set up the company first
The first part of the supervisory file is about ownership, governance and substance. We set up the BV with this in mind. The shareholding chain is documented for the declarations on qualifying holdings. The directors are prepared for the suitability and integrity assessment. The BV also has a real establishment in the Netherlands. The licence application is based on these points. For all payment licences, see a Dutch entity for payments.
Setting up in the Netherlands
A Dutch BV is incorporated by notarial deed and registered with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). You can do this from abroad with a power of attorney. We set up the company and the group structure: the ownership chain, the substance and the governance documents. Specialised regulatory lawyers handle the licence application, and we coordinate this work in writing. You can read more about the wider process on EU market entry.
Frequently asked questions
Can a UK payments firm still passport into the EU?
EEA passporting for UK-licensed firms ended with Brexit. To regain access, a firm needs an EU licence. With a Dutch payment institution or e-money licence from DNB, a firm can passport to 30 EEA countries after a notification.
Does the UK licence remain useful?
Yes. The usual structure has two licences: an FCA licence for the UK market and a DNB licence for the EEA. Two sister companies in the same group hold these licences. The tax treaty between the Netherlands and the UK applies to the structure above them.
Why do UK fintechs pick the Netherlands?
English is the working language, and the Dutch payments sector is the most developed on the continent. The supervisor has a lot of experience. London is an hour away, and a large British business community already works in the Netherlands.
What does Holdwise do in the process?
We set up the Dutch company and the group structure, ready for the supervisory file. Specialised regulatory lawyers handle the licence application. We coordinate this work in writing.
Serve EU customers again
We incorporate Dutch BVs for UK payment and fintech groups and prepare each BV for the DNB file.
Start your Dutch BVSources
- De Nederlandsche Bank, Supervision of payment institutions.
- Directive (EU) 2015/2366 (PSD2).
- Government of the Netherlands, Tax treaty countries.
Last reviewed 13 August 2026.