Tyche in Netherlands
We already have an established network of contacts in Netherlands for creating and directing temporary companies, as well as for external CFO support.
The path to creating a BV in Netherlands, step by step
These timelines assume a complete file (ID documents, supporting evidence, governance decisions made): an incomplete file is the single most common cause of delay, ahead of the administrative timelines themselves. Once the file is genuinely complete, expect generally 2 to 4 weeks for the legal process itself.
Minimum share capital: €0.01 — no legal minimum capital.
Project scoping & complete file
Gathering ID documents, mandate, governance decisions and choice of bank — the essential groundwork for the legal timelines below to actually start running.
Drafting the articles of association
A notarial deed (akte van oprichting) is mandatory for every Dutch BV; an online notary can complete it remotely for roughly €600–€1,500.
Identity verification of shareholders
Each foreign shareholder and director must provide valid ID; no Dutch nationality is required to act as director.
Signing the incorporation deed
Signed before a notary (often by video-conference), with immediate registration in the trade register (KVK).
Opening the bank account
A Dutch account is generally needed for capital deposit and day-to-day operations; timing depends on the bank and the shareholders' profile.
Safety margin — opening the bank account
On top of the legal timelines above, allow one week of banking margin: KYC checks, extra documentation or a branch appointment can extend account opening, particularly for a non-resident director.
VAT
| Taux | ||
|---|---|---|
| Standard rate | 21% | |
| Reduced rates | 9% | food, water, agricultural products, culture, media, sport |
| Reduced rates | 0% | exports |
Corporate tax
19% up to €200,000 of profit, 25.8% above that threshold.
Is a visa required?
No for an EU/EEA director. A non-EU national wanting to relocate to the Netherlands to run the business on-site needs a suitable residence permit (entrepreneur or self-employed).
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation, the bank and the relevant authority. We confirm the precise timeline with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Opening a bank account
Is presence in the Netherlands required?
Not for incorporation itself: the deed can be signed remotely via an online notary. Opening the bank account may, however, require extra documentation for a non-resident shareholder.
Observed timeframe to open the account
1 to 3 weeks with an online bank (Bunq, Qonto); up to 4-6 weeks with a traditional bank (ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank) for a non-resident shareholder, due to enhanced KYC checks.
Share capital deposit
Minimum share capital: €0.01 — no legal minimum capital.
Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register
Every director or shareholder must be declared as an Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) in the national register — a requirement stemming from EU anti-money-laundering directives (or equivalent standards outside the EU). Bank scrutiny is heightened in two situations common among international clients: when a shareholder or director is a US citizen or US tax resident (FATCA then imposes extra reporting obligations on the bank, which can slow down or complicate account opening); and when a shareholder is based in an African country rated higher-risk by the FATF (extra proof of the origin of funds, longer KYC validation times). We anticipate this with you from the initial assessment if your structure involves such profiles.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.
Selling on-site and clearing customs
Securing a premises or retail location
Commercial lease (huurovereenkomst bedrijfsruimte), registering the address with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), and checking municipal zoning (bestemmingsplan).
On-site sales & till
No legal requirement for a certified till, but the tax authority (Belastingdienst) requires rigorous cash-transaction bookkeeping.
Cash register suppliers
- SumUp
- Zettle (PayPal)
- Lightspeed
- Shopify POS
- myPOS
Payment providers for small businesses
- Mollie
- Stripe
- Adyen
- PayPal Business
- Worldline
Indicative, non-exhaustive list of examples of solutions present on the local market — availability and terms change quickly; we help you select the best-suited offer during the assessment of your project.
Customs & ATA carnet
To exhibit or sell equipment at a trade fair, the ATA carnet allows temporary import of goods — professional equipment, samples, stand fittings — without advancing customs duties or import VAT, provided they are re-exported within the allotted period (generally 12 months, sometimes 6 months for fair equipment). The carnet is issued by the chamber of commerce in the country of departure and recognised across the international network of ATA Convention countries, a network that covers the Netherlands.
Importing products from outside the European Union
To import goods from a non-EU country (China, the US, etc.), an EORI number is essential for any customs procedure. Customs duties depend on the tariff code (combined nomenclature) and the product's origin; import VAT is then due at the rate applicable in the destination country, generally recoverable if the business is VAT-registered. Depending on trade agreements in force, some products benefit from reduced or zero duties on presentation of a certificate of origin. The competent authority for these procedures is Dutch Customs (Douane).
On-site consumer rules
A sale concluded in person at a stand during a trade fair that is not your usual place of business is generally classed as an "off-premises" contract under the EU Consumer Rights Directive (2011/83/EU): the customer then has a 14-day right of withdrawal, subject to exceptions (personalised, perishable or sealed goods). This principle, harmonised across the EU/EEA, applies in the Netherlands — we check the local details with you based on your sales activity.
Information provided for guidance (July 2026), subject to change depending on local regulation. We confirm the applicable detail with you during the initial assessment of your project.