How to Incorporate a BV in the Netherlands: Complete Guide 2026

A besloten vennootschap (BV) is the Dutch equivalent of a private limited company (Ltd). It is the most popular legal entity for entrepreneurs in the Netherlands — and for good reason.

The Dutch BV offers limited liability: your personal assets are separated from the company's debts. Since 2012, the minimum share capital requirement was abolished under the Flex-BV Act. You can incorporate a BV with as little as €0.01 in share capital.

A BV is a separate legal entity. It can own property, enter contracts, hire employees and hold shares in other companies. This makes the BV ideal for freelancers, startups, holding structures and international entrepreneurs looking to establish a presence in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands is one of Europe's most business-friendly jurisdictions. Key advantages of a Dutch BV include:

1. Tax-efficient corporate structure Dutch corporate tax (vennootschapsbelasting) is 19% on the first €200,000 profit and 25.8% above that. Combined with the participation exemption (deelnemingsvrijstelling) for holding structures, the effective tax rate can be significantly lower.

2. Limited liability As a shareholder, your personal assets are protected. Your liability is limited to your capital contribution — which can be as low as €0.01.

3. International credibility A Dutch BV is a well-recognized legal form internationally. The Netherlands has an extensive network of double taxation treaties with over 90 countries.

4. EU single market access A Dutch BV gives you full access to the European Union single market — 500 million consumers without trade barriers.

5. No minimum capital Unlike many other EU countries, there is no minimum capital requirement for a Dutch BV. The Flex-BV Act (2012) removed this barrier entirely.

The process of incorporating a Dutch BV involves seven steps. With MijnBV, the entire process is handled 100% online and completed within 7 working days.

Step 1 — Choose your package and structure Decide whether you need a single BV (€649), a holding BV (€849) or a holding + operating company (€1,349). A holding structure is recommended when your annual profit exceeds €100,000.

Step 2 — Complete the online intake Provide the required information: company name, business activities, shareholders, directors and registered address. This takes approximately 15 minutes.

Step 3 — Identity verification Verify your identity via iDIN (Dutch bank verification) or document upload. Non-residents can use Sumsub for international ID verification.

Step 4 — Legal documents preparation MijnBV prepares the articles of association (statuten), deed of incorporation and all required KvK forms. A licensed Dutch notary reviews everything.

Step 5 — Digital signing Sign the deed of incorporation digitally via a qualified electronic signature. No need to visit a notary office in person.

Step 6 — Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration The notary registers your BV with the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) and the UBO register. You receive a unique KvK number.

Step 7 — VAT number activation After registration, the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) issues your BTW number. You are now ready to invoice and operate.

The cost of incorporating a Dutch BV varies significantly between providers. Here is a transparent comparison for 2026:

MijnBV (online, 100% digital) - Single BV: €649 excl. VAT - Holding BV: €849 excl. VAT - Holding + operating company: €1,349 excl. VAT - Includes: notary, KvK registration (€85.15), UBO registration (€35), articles of association - Timeline: 7 working days

Other online providers - NOTRS: €795 - Ligo: €999 - Firm24: €1,199

Traditional notary - €1,500 – €2,500+ - Additional fees for KvK, UBO, articles of association - Timeline: 2–4 weeks

Additional mandatory costs - KvK registration: €85.15 (fixed, included at MijnBV) - UBO registration: €35 (included at MijnBV) - Quality Fund Notariat: €9.95 - VAT (21%): approximately €136 (reclaimable)

The total cost of incorporating a single BV through MijnBV is approximately €915 including VAT. After VAT reclaim, the net cost is around €779.

To incorporate a BV in the Netherlands, you need the following:

1. At least one founder Any natural person or legal entity can incorporate a Dutch BV. There is no nationality or residency requirement — non-residents can incorporate remotely.

2. A notarial deed of incorporation Dutch law requires the deed of incorporation to be executed by a licensed Dutch notary. With MijnBV, this is handled fully digitally.

3. Articles of association (statuten) The articles of association define the company's name, registered office, purpose, share structure and governance rules.

4. A registered office address Your BV must have a registered address in the Netherlands. This can be a physical office, a co-working space or a virtual office address.

5. A Dutch business bank account You need a business bank account at a Dutch or European bank. Options include ING, ABN AMRO, Rabobank, Bunq and N26.

6. Share capital contribution The minimum share capital is €0.01. Most entrepreneurs choose €100 or €1,000 for practical reasons.

Non-residents: You do not need a Dutch BSN (citizen service number) or residence permit to incorporate a BV. However, you will need to verify your identity and may need an apostilled copy of your passport.

A holding structure — where a holding BV owns shares in one or more operating companies — offers significant advantages:

Participation exemption (deelnemingsvrijstelling) Dividends and capital gains flowing from a subsidiary to the holding BV are 100% tax-exempt. This is one of the most attractive features of the Dutch tax system for international entrepreneurs.

Asset protection Profits accumulated in the holding are protected from creditors of the operating company. If the operating company faces financial difficulties, the holding's assets remain untouched.

Flexible profit distribution You decide when to distribute dividends from the holding to yourself (taxed at 24.5–33% in Box 2). By deferring distributions, you can reinvest profits tax-efficiently.

When is a holding structure worth it? - Annual profit exceeding €100,000 - Multiple business activities or investments - Plans to sell the business in the future - Need for asset protection

MijnBV offers complete holding packages from €849 (holding only) or €1,349 (holding + operating company).

When choosing a provider for Dutch BV formation, consider the following factors:

Price transparency MijnBV offers a fixed all-in price with no hidden costs. All notary fees, KvK registration, UBO registration and articles of association are included. Some competitors advertise a low base price but charge extra for essential services.

Speed MijnBV incorporates your BV within 7 working days. Traditional notaries typically take 2–4 weeks.

Language support MijnBV supports both Dutch and English, making it accessible for international entrepreneurs who want to start a company in the Netherlands.

Integrated bookkeeping Every BV incorporation through MijnBV includes 6 months of free FINEO bookkeeping software. This means your administration is set up from day one — bank feed, invoices, VAT returns and annual accounts included.

Digital process The entire process at MijnBV is 100% online. No office visits, no paper forms, no waiting rooms. Identity verification, document signing and notary execution all happen digitally.