A non-resident can form a Dutch BV (besloten vennootschap) entirely remotely. The process takes 5–10 working days and costs €700–€2,500 including notary, KvK registration and VAT setup. You sign a Power of Attorney apostilled at your local notary, or via video session for EU founders since January 2024, and the Dutch notary executes the deed for you.
What is a Dutch BV?
A Dutch BV is a private limited liability company under Dutch law, the equivalent of a UK Ltd, German GmbH, or US LLC. Shareholders' personal assets are protected; the BV itself is a separate legal person. Since the 2012 flex-BV reform, minimum share capital is €0.01, there is no real-world capital floor.
It can be owned by any natural person or legal entity, of any nationality, and trades across the EU on a single VAT number, optionally with an Article 23 import-VAT deferment licence on top.
Can I form a Dutch BV without visiting the Netherlands?
Yes. There are two routes, depending on where you live:
- Apostilled Power of Attorney, for founders anywhere in the world. You sign the PoA in front of your local notary, then have the signature apostilled (a government stamp under the Hague Convention). The Dutch notary relies on it to execute your deed.
- Video-notary session, for EU founders only, available since 1 January 2024 under EU Directive 2019/1151. A 30-minute video call with the Dutch notary; no apostille needed.
How much does it cost?
All-in, the market ranges from roughly €700 (the cheapest competitor headline, which usually excludes the KvK fee and VAT registration) to €2,500 for premium services. Our published packages are €1,295 Starter, €1,895 Growth (with Article 23), and €2,495 Holding + Operating, each with the KvK fee, VAT registration and Year-1 registered office included.
Skip the DIY route, our packages start at €1,295, all-in. See pricing →
How long does it take?
Five working days for your KvK number from complete KYC. Then 2–6 weeks for the VAT number, 4–6 weeks for Article 23 if you pursue it, and 1–14 days for the bank account depending on the partner.
Step-by-step process
- Pre-flight (Day 0). Decide your structure (single BV vs Holding + Operating), choose a name, gather documents.
- Day 1, KYC. Upload ID and proof of address; the engagement letter is signed and AML checks run.
- Day 2, Power of Attorney. The notary drafts it; you sign at your local notary and apostille; the scan is uploaded.
- Day 3, Notary review. Identity verified, Articles of Association finalised, deed scheduled.
- Day 4, Deed execution. The notary passes the deed; KvK filing is initiated.
- Day 5, KvK + UBO live. Number issued, tax registration triggered, VAT questionnaire kicked off.
- Day 6–28, Post-formation. VAT number arrives, bank account opens, Article 23 (if pursued) is submitted.
- Year 1, Compliance. First VAT returns, first jaarrekening (12 months out), UBO maintenance.
Documents you need
Per founder and director: a valid passport (colour scan, all four corners) and proof of address no older than three months. Per corporate shareholder: an apostilled registry extract, the articles/certificate of incorporation, and a register of beneficial owners. For the BV itself: a proposed name, a one-to-two-paragraph business-activity summary, and your intended financial-year end.
The bank account, honestly
Banking is the genuinely hard part for non-resident founders, and we won't pretend otherwise. Revolut Business reliably onboards international owners within days. Traditional Dutch banks (ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank) usually decline foreign-founded BVs without local substance. We make a real introduction and prepare your file, but the bank makes the final call.
We bundle a bank introduction with every formation. See what's included →
Ongoing costs (Year 2 onwards)
Plan for roughly €2,500–€4,000/year for a simple BV: accounting (€79–€299/month), the Vpb corporate-tax return (€390/year), annual accounts (€490/year), and the registered office (€69/month). Our cost calculator turns your specific choices into a single number.
Work out your number. Open the cost calculator →
Common pitfalls
- Skipping the apostille window, your timeline depends on it.
- A vague business-activity description, the #1 cause of VAT-registration delay.
- No NL-nexus claim, a substance risk if you're claiming treaty benefits.
- Picking a virtual office KvK rejects.
- Applying for the bank account before the UBO is filed.
When a Dutch BV is the wrong choice
Be honest with yourself. A tiny side-hustle, a US-customer-only business, or an activity needing an immediate Dutch banking footprint may be better served elsewhere, and regulated activities with NL-specific licensing barriers can be slow. If speed and 0% retained-profit tax matter most, Estonia may fit better; if you only sell to UK customers, a UK Ltd is cheaper. See our EU jurisdiction comparison.