How remote Dutch BV incorporation actually works.
An independent Dutch civil-law notary drafts and executes your deed of incorporation; we coordinate everything around it. In the best case that's about six working days from a complete application; a typical estimate is two to three weeks. Every timeline on this page is an estimate, not a guarantee.
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, the articles of association and the 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
- Provides the shareholders' register and the KVK extract
BVform
- Intake, company-name check and our own due diligence
- Collects your documents in the notary's format, with translation 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
- Supports your VAT registration, and your Article 23 application if you take the add-on
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
- Sign the Article 23 application yourself, as the entrepreneur, if you take the add-on
- Get your own tax advice on your situation
Before we begin: your Dutch business address
One requirement sits entirely with you, before Day 1 starts:
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.
See before you start for the full picture on this and the other things worth knowing before you apply.
The best case: six working days.
This is a UK solo founder, one individual shareholder, documents already in English. It's the best case, not a promise, and most applications look a little different.
- 1 Day 1
Application and due diligence
You
- Submit all your data and documents
BVform
- We complete our own due diligence and the company-name check
- 2 Day 2
Due diligence and your QES
You
- Obtain a qualified electronic signature (QES)
The notary
- Runs its own due diligence and books the notary call
- 3 Day 3
Drafting
You
Nothing required.
The notary
- Drafts the deed, the articles of association and the power of attorney
- 4 Day 4
Video call and signing
You
- Join the video call with the notary and sign the power of attorney with your QES
The notary
- Holds the video call and explains the power of attorney
- 5 Day 5
Execution and filing
You
Nothing required.
The notary
- Executes the deed and files the registration and UBO details
- 6 Day 6
Registration
You
- Receive your KVK extract and shareholders' register
The KVK
- Processes the notary's filing
The KVK typically processes a notary's filing within about one to three working days, so Day 6 is a best case, not a guarantee. Days above are working days.
A typical estimate: two to three weeks
The best case above assumes everything lines up: documents in English, one individual shareholder, no questions from the notary. Most applications take a little longer. A typical estimate is roughly two to three weeks, including collecting your documents and arranging translations, depending on your circumstances, the notary's availability and KVK processing.
All timelines are estimates, not guarantees.
What can add time
None of these are unusual. They're just outside our control, so it's worth knowing about them upfront.
- Documents not in English or Dutch, for example a Chinese or Turkish proof of address: allow a few extra working days for translation.
- If you're not fluent in English, the notary may require an interpreter for the call, which adds scheduling time.
- Notary availability and public holidays.
- Extra questions from the notary's own checks, for example about source of funds.
- Multiple shareholders: each person completes identity checks and a QES.
- Corporate shareholder: company documents, confirmation that the signatory is authorised, identification of every beneficial owner, and in some jurisdictions, for example China and Turkey, documents certified by a local notary with an apostille. This can add days to weeks.
- KVK processing time.
- Belastingdienst questions on your VAT registration.
- Postal delivery: the KVK and Belastingdienst send letters by post to your BV's Dutch business address.
Two ways to hold the shares
What we ask for, and how signing works, 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)
- Each shareholder signs with their own QES
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
- The authorised signatory signs with their own QES, after the video call with the notary
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.
Signing: a QES, plus a video call with the notary
Every founder signs the power of attorney with a qualified electronic signature (QES): a legally recognised electronic signature under the EU's eIDAS rules, issued by a qualified trust service provider after an identity check. Before you sign, you join a short video call with the notary, who explains what you're signing. We guide you through getting a QES; we don't sell or recommend a specific provider.
Fallback only: local-notary certification with an apostille.
VAT, EORI, Article 23, in the right order.
Your BV is registered on Day 6 in the best case. A few things then run on the Belastingdienst's and Dutch Customs' own timelines. Here they are, in order.
VAT number
The KVK passes your registration to the Belastingdienst automatically. The Belastingdienst decides whether your BV is an entrepreneur for VAT, and normally sends the VAT ID and turnover-tax number by post within two weeks of KVK registration. It can take longer if the Belastingdienst sends questions. A VAT number is not guaranteed; the Belastingdienst may ask questions, take longer, or decline where there's no evidence of real business activity.
EORI number
Free, and derived from your BV's RSIN, issued at KVK registration. Where a freight forwarder or customs agent will make declarations for you, typical for importers, your BV applies through Dutch Customs' (Douane) EORI form, which can run right after incorporation, in parallel with VAT registration rather than after it. We don't quote a processing time, because it depends on Dutch Customs. See our EORI number guide.
Article 23
Applied for as soon as your VAT number and turnover-tax number are issued, with evidence of regular importing. It's a deferral: it lets you defer import VAT to your VAT return instead of paying it at the border, not an exemption. The Belastingdienst decides within eight weeks, and approval is not guaranteed. It's a €995 ex VAT add-on to any package, and includes EORI application help.
eHerkenning (level EH3)
The business login the director uses for the Belastingdienst's online portal. You arrange this yourself; we don't sell or arrange it.
If the notary declines you
Questions about how it runs.
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.
No. You sign the power of attorney with a qualified electronic signature (QES) after a short video call with the notary. A local-notary certification with an apostille is only used as a fallback, or where a jurisdiction requires it for corporate documents.
A QES is a qualified electronic signature under the EU's eIDAS rules, issued by a qualified trust service provider after an identity check. We guide you through the signing flow; we don't sell or recommend a specific provider.
It depends on who holds the shares. An individual shareholder needs a passport, proof of address, a description of your business activity and share details. A corporate shareholder needs a registry extract, articles of association, a register of shareholders, a structure chart, confirmation that the signatory is authorised, and identity documents for every beneficial owner.
The Belastingdienst decides on your VAT number, normally within two weeks by post. Your EORI number can be applied for in parallel, based on your BV's RSIN. Once your VAT number and turnover-tax number are issued, you can apply for Article 23 if you're importing regularly. None of this is guaranteed, and each step depends on the relevant authority's own timeline.
No. Article 23 is applied for as soon as your VAT number and turnover-tax number have been issued, which happens after incorporation, not at the point of registration itself. It requires evidence of regular importing, and the Belastingdienst decides within eight weeks; approval is not guaranteed.
If the notary declines you after its own due diligence, you get a full refund minus a €145 administration fee and any third-party costs you'd approved in advance, such as translations or a QES certificate. If you cancel before we instruct the notary, it's a full refund minus the €145 fee. Once the deed is executed, there's no refund.
Ready to start your application?
Packages start at €1,295 ex VAT, with notary and KVK fees included. Best case about six working days; typically two to three weeks, including collecting your documents and arranging translations. All timelines are estimates, not guarantees.