Set Up a Dutch BV: Incorporate a Dutch Limited Company

The Dutch BV (Besloten Vennootschap), also known as the private limited liability company (Besloten Vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid), is the most popular business form in this country. The Dutch BV is the equivalent of the German GmbH and the American limited liability company. If you are interested in setting up a company in the Netherland in the form of a BV, discover how we can help you below.

Quick Facts
Applicable legislation	Company Law
Minimum number of shareholders	1
Minimum number of directors	1
Resident director required (YES/NO)	No
Local legal address required (YES/NO)	Yes
Minimum share capital	0.01 EUR
Local bank account required (YES/NO)	Not legally required, but recommended in practice
Best uses	– trading activities, – to register a subsidiary company, – as a holding company
Liability of the shareholders	Limited liability for the company's debts
Visit required for incorporation (YES/NO)	No, a local agent services can be used
Taxes to be paid	– corporate tax, – dividend tax, – VAT, – employment taxes, – real estate taxes
Corporate tax rate	– 19% on income of up to 200,000 EUR, – exceeding amounts are imposed with a rate of 25.8%
Advantages	– simplied form (flex BV), – easy to register, – multiple uses, – access to tax incentives
Incorporation support (YES/NO)	Yes
Audited financial statements required (YES/NO)	Only for medium-sized and large BVs; all BVs must file annual accounts with the Trade Register
Specific requirements for the company name	The company's name must comply with the Dutch Civil Code and the Trade Name Act and must start or end with B.V. (or Besloten Vennootschap).
Simplified form of the BV (if available)	The flex BV is the simplified form of this type of company.
Available for registration for natural persons	A BV can have a natural person as a shareholder.
Available for registration for companies	A limited liability company can also have other corporations as shareholders.
Documents required for registration	– Memorandum and Articles of Association; – information about the shareholders and directors; – proof of legal address; – and bank account reference.
Possibility to be converted into a public company	The BV can be changed into a public company upon reaching the minimum share capital for the latter.
Registration timeframe (approx.)	It takes 1-2 weeks to register a BV in the Netherlands.
Licensing requirements (if any)	Yes, provided that the company will operate in a field that requires a special permit.
VAT registration required upon creation	The company is not required to register for VAT upon incorporation.
Possibility to be used as a shelf company	The BV can be used as a shelf company for sale.
Access to tax minimization tools through the BV	The BV can be used for tax minimization purposes.
Possibility to hire personnel	It can hire local and foreign workforce.
Possibility to transfer foreign employees	Non-EU/EEA employees need a work and residence permit (for example an intra-corporate transferee or highly skilled migrant permit); EU/EEA and Swiss nationals do not.
Availability of accounting services for a Dutch BV	We offer accounting services for this type of companies.
Other services we offer for a BV in the Netherlands	– payroll and HR support; – assistance in amending company documents; – nominee services.

What are the main steps to incorporate a Dutch BV in 2026?

The first step related to setting up a company in the Netherlands, such as a Dutch BV, is having the company’s statutory documents drafted and notarized. The next steps one must take are:

choose a company name (there is no formal name reservation), which must be unique and must comply with the legal requirements imposed by the Commercial Law;
submit the deed of incorporation and the articles of association to the Trade Registrar,
obtain a registration number with the Commercial Register in the Netherlands,
register with the tax authorities (the registration must be done for obtaining a tax identification number and a VAT number),
register with the social security authorities and with the pension fund for employment purposes.

The attorneys at our Dutch law firm specialize in a wide range of issues concerning business and company law. They can assist you during all of the company formation phases as well as answer any particular questions that might help you decide if the BV is the right legal entity for your needs.

Can I incorporate a BV without visiting the Netherlands?

Yes. Foreign investors can incorporate a Dutch BV without a personal visit to the country by employing our company to act on their behalf. This type of formation, however, does imply a slightly different procedure.

What are the documents required to set up a BV in the Netherlands?

The following documents are required to register a BV in the Netherlands:

proof of identity: valid ID or passport for the shareholders and directors, depending on their nationalities;
proof of residence: a recent utility bill or bank statement for the shareholders and directors (it is recommended that the documents not to be older than 3 months);
the Articles of Association: they must be drafted by a Dutch civil notary;
proof of registered address in the Netherlands: a rental contract or virtual office can be used;
a trade name check: there is no name reservation, the name is checked against the Trade Register (KVK);
the forms issued by the Dutch Trade Register for the registration of the company, director(s), and Ultimate Beneficial Owner (if applicable).

Can I be a shareholder and director of the BV?

Yes, the Netherlands allows a person to act as a shareholder and director in his/her own BV company. This also applies to foreign citizens. However, please note that when acting as a director, you will also become an employee of the company, and must take a customary salary for payroll tax purposes; a director who controls the company is, however, usually not insured under the employee insurance schemes.

What is the minimum share capital for a BV in the Netherlands?

The minimum required capital is EUR0.01. In practice, however, many investors decide to issue more capital, which can be made up of cash or in kind. Our local specialists can guide you on the minimum amount depending on the sector in which you want to operate your business.

Is it possible to incorporate a BV company remotely?

Yes, remote or online BV registration is possible in the Netherlands through representation, which can be offered by our company formation specialists based on a power of attorney.

We have also prepared a scheme with the main advantages of opening a Dutch BV in 2026:

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How long does it take to register a Dutch BV in 2026?

The procedure takes 5 to 10 working days to complete, depending on how soon the documents are ready (the extra days are usually because of the appointment with the notary to have the Articles of Association drafted).

What are the costs of registering a BV in the Netherlands?

Here are our prices:

a BV registration package starts at EUR 2,495 without VAT, and it includes document notarization and Trade Register incorporation;
approximately EUR 85 as a Trade Register fee;
the cost of a virtual office starts at approximately EUR 75 per month;
accounting fees start at EUR 90 per month.

If you need help with the registration procedure, please contact our company incorporation agents in the Netherlands. If you are interested in setting up a company in the Netherland in the form of a BV, discover how we can help you below.

Furthermore, we can help foreign investors interested in establishing limited liability companies in other countries, such as Slovakia or Poland.

Rolf Peter Rothuizen, Attorney at Law · 8 October 2026Rolf Peter specializes in Business Law, Company Law and Tax Optimisation, has an LL.M. in Public, Private and European Law.