Setting up your business in the Netherlands is an ideal way for your company to reach Europe’s 500 million customers. On this page we’ll explain how to start or expand your business in or to the Netherlands.
We are proudly known for our super quick responses to enquiries. Please contact us for information of any kind related to establishing and doing business in our region.
In accordance with your needs, we organise a tailored half-day fact finding trip for you
-We may visit several available office locations,
-Introduce you to service providers such as civil notaries, tax specialists and recruiters
-Introduce you to relevant experts in our ecosystem
The civil notary will advise about and assign the legal entity of your company.
Which legal form is most suitable for your business, depends on your situation.
A contract with a physical office space is required for your registration at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce. Our team is well informed and at your service to advise on available office locations.
Complete your registration at the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) to receive your KVK company registration number.
Make sure to bring your ID and business premise lease contract!
Register with the Dutch tax authorities after obtaining advice from a tax expert. The tax authorities will provide your VAT number upon registration.
Open a bank account with a bank which operates in the Netherlands.
European banks are obliged to perform a thorough Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) investigation before providing a business bank account. This process can be as quick as 2 weeks if all documentation is complete. Ambiguity or the absence of required documents can slow down or obstruct the process.
You now have access to the European market and its 500 million consumers!
Congratulations with your Dutch business and welcome to the greater Rotterdam-The Hague area.
The first step in the process is to determine if you can legally start a business in the Netherlands.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens are free to start a Dutch company and work and live here without any extra requirements. The only thing EU citizens have to do is registering themselves at the corresponding City Council.
However, it’s a good idea to consider registering with the IND (the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service. You’re not legally required to do so but it’s advisable because you may need certain legal documentation for organizations such as insurance companies.
As an owner of a multinational company, it’s relatively easy to obtain a multi-entry Schengen Visa. This will allow you to travel and reside in the Netherlands for up to 90 days per trip. If you’re not an EU/EEA national or Swiss citizen there are immigration regulations that you need to consider if you’re planning to stay for a long-term in the Netherlands.
If you want to become a resident in the Netherlands you can consider the Entrepreneurs or the Startup Visa.
One of the most important steps in successfully expanding and launching a business in the Netherlands is writing a good business plan. A good business plan helps you make the right decisions for your company. It will also help you avoid expensive and time-consuming mistakes. It’s also important to have a good understanding of all legal requirements that you’ll encounter when setting up your company in the Netherlands.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions regarding your business plan. Our experienced team are happy to help you free of charge!
When setting up a business in the Netherlands, you need to choose a legal structure, such as a vof, a sole proprietorship or a bv. Your legal business structure determines your liability and which taxes you need to pay. Chose the structure that is best suited to your situation and ambitions, e.g.: is the business is owned by one or more owners, do you have financial partners, do you have enough funds to cover your business risks, what profit do you expect to make and do you plan hiring staff? Use the Tool for choosing a Dutch legal structure to find out which legal structure best suits your company.
Select a unique trade name for your company. You are required to have one when registering your company in the Commercial Register at the Chamber of Commerce.
The greater Rotterdam – the Hague area offers great locations for successfully setting up your business in the Netherlands. What’s the best place for your new company location depends on your wants and needs. Do you want to be in the vibrant heart of one of our lively cities? Want to have a good connections to our maritime region or an airport? Or be close to potential customers and partners?
Our team can help you find the perfect location for your business. Free of charge! Get in touch with us through our contact page.
In the Netherlands you’re required to register your company with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). The KVK will pas on your details to the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). They will issue a VAT number to you. The VAT number is used for correspondence, send invoices to your customers and to use for dealing with the Dutch Tax Administration.
The Belastingdienst and KVK websites provide all their information in English.
Our experienced and motivated team enthusiastically assists you free of charge in every step of the relocation process; from first inquiry to growing your business in our region.
InnovationQuarter is the regional economic development agency for the Province of Zuid-Holland, also known as the greater Rotterdam-The Hague area.
The greater Rotterdam – the Hague area is the expressway to the EU’s 500 million consumers. Below are the six reasons why our region offers the smoothest point of entry to the European market. Want to know more about why you should set up your business in our region? Then visit our Access & Connectivity page!
