If you want to open a fintech company in the Netherlands, you need to comply with various requirements. In certain cases, special licenses may also be necessary.
Our company formation consultants in the Netherlands can offer information on the legislation related to the financial sector and will assist with the registration of a fintech business.
Table of Contents
Registration requirements for a Dutch fintech company
When setting up a business in the Netherlandsin the fintech sector, there are several aspects to consider in terms of registration conditions. It is important to note, however, that they depend on the activities to be completed.
Here are some of the key considerations:
- special share capital requirements apply to certain fintech activities, such as those related to the issuance of virtual assets;
- the creation of a prospectus and a business plan may be required for some activities;
- special financial licenses must be obtained for certain operations.
Before starting the incorporation process, you can ask for the advice of our Dutch company formation specialists, who will provide tailored guidance based on the type of activities to undertake.
Dutch company formation in the financial technology sector
Foreign and local entrepreneurs who want to open companies in the Dutch fintech sector can register any type of structure available in the country. From partnerships to limited liability companies, a fintech company can take any form, depending on the amount willing to invest. Our company registration agents in the Netherlands can help choose and register any type of company you are interested in when setting up a business in the financial technology industry.
It should be noted that Dutch fintech companies can be divided into financial companies, which will need to undergo an authorization process with the Authority for the Financial Markets, and IT companies specialized in developing fintech programs, which are not required to obtain any special license.
Steps to open a Dutch fintech company
Opening a business in the Netherlands requires following a few steps. In the case of a fintech enterprise, the following must be completed:
- trading name selection;
- incorporation papers drafting;
- bank account opening and share capital depositing;
- Companies House registration;
- licensing.
The company registration process in the Netherlands does not take long, however, special attention must be paid to the licensing phase.
Licenses available for fintech businesses
The business permits to obtain when creating a fintech company in the Netherlands depend on the laws governing its activities. Here are some of the available licenses:
- the PSD2 license if the company engages in online payment supply;
- the AFM license, issued by the Financial Markets Authority in the Netherlands, is required if the products issued by a fintech company are categorized as investment tokens;
- the DNB license, which is a special authorization issued by the Dutch National Bank, is required if the fintech operations involve insurance or virtual exchange activities.
The procedures for obtaining a license for a fintech company in the Netherlands vary from one institution to another. So, if you want to start the filing process, feel free to rely on our local consultants, especially in the document preparation phase.
Types of activities of fintech companies in the Netherlands
The Netherlands has evolved quite a lot during the last several years from an economic point of view. This evolution has enabled investments in some of the most innovative tools, which can be used in various industries. Perhaps one of the most spectacular leaps made is in the financial sector. The new branch of the financial industry is called financial technology, which is known all over the world as fintech.
In order to encourage the development of new technologies that can be used by Dutch financial companies, the government has enabled various programs that provide various incentives related to the fintech industry.
Dutch fintech companies can undertake various activities, which, as mentioned above, can imply offering modern financial services or simply developing programs and software for easing financial transactions. Among the activities a financial technology company can carry out in the Netherlands are:
- creating innovative payment solutions;
- offering payment services;
- offering blockchain solutions;
- creating cryptocurrency.
Incentives for fintech companies in the Netherlands
Here are some of the available incentives for the Dutch financial technology:
- the innovation box, which provides for a reduced corporate tax rate of 9% for profits obtained from certain intangible assets, such as software;
- a reduced corporate tax of 19% for profits not exceeding EUR 200,000;
- the availability of the 30% ruling for companies hiring expats.
For assistance in opening a fintech business in the Netherlands, do not hesitate to contact us. We can also assist with the company formation process in the Netherlands.