Before you form a Dutch BV, here's what's actually true.
Forming a Dutch BV remotely works well for non-EU founders with a real business, such as e-commerce sellers and importers in the UK, China, Hong Kong and Turkey. A few things sit outside our control, though. You arrange your Dutch business address yourself before we begin; Dutch law doesn't allow us to be involved in it. The Belastingdienst, not us, decides your VAT number and any Article 23 licence. And every timeline on this site is an estimate, not a promise. This page sets those out in one place, so you can apply knowing exactly what to expect.
Who does what
We're an incorporation coordinator, not the notary. Three parties, three jobs.
The notary
- Runs its own due diligence on you
- Drafts the deed, articles and power of attorney
- Holds a video call to explain the power of attorney
- Executes the deed, registers the BV with the KVK and files the UBO details
BVform
- Intake, company-name check and our own due diligence
- Collects your documents in the notary's format, with translations and an interpreter where needed
- Runs the QES signing flow and pays the notary's and KVK fees
- Tracks every step in your client portal, and supports your VAT (and optional Article 23) application
You
- Provide accurate information and documents
- Arrange the BV's Dutch business address before we begin
- Obtain a QES and join the video call with the notary
- Get your own tax advice on your situation
The Dutch business address requirement
One requirement sits entirely with you:
Your BV needs a Dutch business address. We'd love to handle this for you, but Dutch law doesn't allow the firm that helps with your VAT and Article 23 applications to also be involved in your business address. So you arrange it yourself before we begin; it isn't part of our service.
Dutch BV tax residence
Some founders assume a Dutch BV is only ever taxed in the Netherlands. That's not quite right:
A BV incorporated under Dutch law is treated as resident in the Netherlands for Dutch corporate income tax, because of its incorporation. But if it is effectively managed from another country, that country may also treat it as resident, and tax treaties may assign residence to where the company is effectively managed. That can mean double taxation or the loss of benefits you expected. Where the directors actually make decisions matters, so get tax advice on your own situation.
Your VAT number isn't guaranteed
A VAT number is not guaranteed; the Belastingdienst may ask questions, take longer, or decline where there's no evidence of real business activity.
This is where our VAT registration support earns its place in every package: we assess your proposed business activity before you commit, and give you an honest view of how registration looks, based on things like customer contracts, supplier agreements or a live website. We also help you document real business activity and prepare your responses if the Belastingdienst sends questions, which is a common source of delay. We can't control the Belastingdienst's decision, but we can tell you early if your case looks weak.
Article 23: real, but not automatic
If you import goods from outside the EU, Article 23 lets you defer import VAT to your periodic VAT return instead of paying it at the border. It's a genuine cashflow benefit: VAT is deferred to your return, not cancelled, and it isn't automatic.
It's applied for as soon as your VAT number and turnover-tax number are issued. The BV must import goods from outside the EU regularly (with evidence such as order confirmations, purchase invoices or import documents), keep separate records of import VAT, and file monthly or quarterly returns; businesses on the small business scheme (KOR) aren't eligible. The Belastingdienst decides within eight weeks, and approval is not guaranteed.
We prepare the application and the evidence pack; you sign it as the entrepreneur. Article 23 support, including EORI application help, is a €995 ex VAT add-on to any package.
Banking
Traditional Dutch banks often decline foreign-founded BVs without local substance. Non-resident founders commonly use fintech or EMI business accounts instead. We don't make bank introductions.
If you're not fluent in English
If you're not fluent in English, the notary may require an interpreter for the call. We schedule one; it can add a few days.
Timelines are estimates, not guarantees
In the best case, a UK solo founder with an individual shareholding and documents already in English can be registered in about six working days. A typical estimate is roughly two to three weeks, including collecting your documents and arranging translations.
All timelines are estimates, not guarantees.
See the full day-by-day breakdown, and what can add time, in how it works.
What we don't do
So you know exactly where our work stops, here's what we don't do. We don't:
- Provide or arrange a business address or mail handling
- Open bank accounts or introduce banks
- Provide, recommend or recruit directors
- Draft or execute the deed ourselves (that's the notary's job)
- Guarantee a VAT number, an Article 23 licence, a bank account, notary acceptance, or any timeline
Documents you'll need
What we ask for depends on whether an individual or a company holds the shares.
Individual shareholder(s)
- Passport
- Proof of address
- A description of your business activity
- Share details (who holds what)
Corporate shareholder
- Registry extract or certificate of incorporation
- Articles of association
- Register of shareholders
- A structure chart, down to the individuals
- Confirmation that the signatory is authorised (for example a board resolution)
- Identity documents for every beneficial owner
Plain scans are accepted. A local-notary certification with an apostille is only needed as a fallback, or for corporate documents where the shareholder's jurisdiction requires it, which can be the case for, among others, China and Turkey.
Frequently asked questions
No. Your BV needs a Dutch business address. We'd love to handle this for you, but Dutch law doesn't allow the firm that helps with your VAT and Article 23 applications to also be involved in your business address. So you arrange it yourself before we begin; it isn't part of our service.
Not necessarily. A BV incorporated under Dutch law is treated as resident in the Netherlands for Dutch corporate income tax, because of its incorporation. But if it is effectively managed from another country, that country may also treat it as resident, and tax treaties may assign residence to where the company is effectively managed. That can mean double taxation or the loss of benefits you expected. Where the directors actually make decisions matters, so get tax advice on your own situation.
No, and nobody can promise you one. A VAT number is not guaranteed; the Belastingdienst may ask questions, take longer, or decline where there's no evidence of real business activity. We assess your proposed activity before you commit and give you an honest view of how it looks.
No. Article 23 can only be applied for once your VAT number and turnover-tax number have been issued, and you need evidence of regular importing. The Belastingdienst decides within eight weeks, and approval is not guaranteed.
Traditional Dutch banks often decline foreign-founded BVs without local substance. Non-resident founders commonly use fintech or EMI business accounts instead. We don't make bank introductions.
If you're not fluent in English, the notary may require an interpreter for the call. We schedule one; it can add a few days.
Still keen? Here's how to start.
Nothing above should put you off if your business is real and your paperwork is in order; you're exactly the kind of founder we're built for. Packages start at €1,295 ex VAT, notary and KVK fees included.