In short
A BV pays 19% on its first €200,000 of profit and 25.8% above. Most sales carry 21% VAT. Dividends leave the Netherlands with 15% withheld unless an exemption or treaty applies.
Facts checked November 2026
Netherlands company formation
A Dutch BV incorporated by a civil-law notary and registered with KVK, with UBO registration and video ID included.
BVfrom $1,499 one-time
- 1–2 weeks
- Capital from €0.01
- Notary online or by power of attorney
At a glance
- Company types
- BV (private limited) from $1,499
- Formation
- A Dutch civil-law notary signs the deed and registers the BV, its directors and its UBOs with KVK.
- Share capital
- From €0.01, in cash or in kind.
- Founders outside the EU
- Sign through an apostilled power of attorney, a $290 add-on. EU founders sign online with the notary.
- Business address
- A Dutch business address from Go. On Explorer you use your own.
- Government fee
- €85.15 KVK registration, included in every package.
- Every year
- Annual accounts at KVK, a corporate tax return and quarterly VAT returns.
- Timeline
- 1–2 weeks
Taxes, explained simply
Your company pays
-
19% / 25.8%
Corporate tax
19% on the first €200,000 of taxable profit, 25.8% on the rest.
-
21%
VAT
The reduced rate is 9%. With turnover up to €20,000, the KOR scheme can exempt you from charging VAT.
You personally
-
15%
Tax withheld on dividends
Withheld when the BV pays dividends, unless an exemption or a tax treaty applies.
-
25.8%
Payments to low-tax countries
A conditional withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties paid to affiliates in low-tax or EU-blacklisted countries.
-
5%+
Owner-director salary
If you hold 5% or more and work for the BV, Dutch rules expect you to take a market-level salary.
Corporate tax bands
| Taxable profit | Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to €200,000 | 19% |
| Above €200,000 | 25.8% |
Dutch tax applies to the BV wherever its owners live. If you manage it from abroad, your home country may also claim it, and what you take out is taxed where you live.
How it works
-
Incorporate your BV
A notary signs your deed, then KvK registers your BV.
You get: KvK number
-
Register your UBOs
Registered with KvK, video ID included. Amsterdam address optional.
You get: UBO registration
-
Register for taxes
VAT and payroll tax registration with the Belastingdienst.
You get: btw-id VAT number
-
Open a bank account
We help you open a business account and prepare the bank’s file.
You get: Bank-ready file
-
Stay compliant
Annual accounts filed with KvK, VAT returns every quarter.
You get: Deadline reminders
What’s included
Fixed one-time prices. Government fees are shown before you pay.
Explorer
$1,499one-time
Netherlands BV, gov. fees included, address from Go
- Notarial deed of incorporation
- KvK registration
- UBO registration and video ID
- Compliance reminders
- Email support
Go
$2,799one-time
Netherlands BV, gov. fees included
Everything in Explorer, plus:
- Year-one Dutch business address
- VAT and payroll tax registration
- Bank account help
- WhatsApp support
Pro
$3,899one-time
Netherlands BV, gov. fees included
Everything in Go, plus:
- Fast-track notary
- Mail scanning
- Accounting onboarding
- Priority support, same-day replies
Then $1,299 a year from month 13.
Not included: Local address: use your own, or ours from Go. Translation or apostille of your documents.
What you’ll need
- Passport photo page for every shareholder and director
- Proof of address for each of them
- Two company name choices. We add B.V.
- What the company will do, in plain words
- Each shareholder’s share
- An apostilled power of attorney if anyone is outside the EU. We prepare it
Banking
- Go includes bank account help. We prepare the bank’s file.
- On Explorer, add bank account help for $199.
Approval is always the bank’s or provider’s decision.
After formation: what’s due
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Within 5 months of year end | Directors prepare the annual accounts. Shareholders can extend by up to 5 months |
| 8 days after adoption | File the accounts with KVK, normally by 8 August |
| 12 months after year end | Final deadline to file the accounts |
| About 5 months after year end | Corporate tax return. Extensions are possible |
| Every quarter | VAT returns |
| Whenever it changes | Keep the UBO and shareholder registers current |
Netherlands company formation FAQs
Can a non-resident own and run a Dutch BV?
Yes. If a shareholder or director is outside the EU, we arrange an apostilled power of attorney so the notary can act for them.
What is the minimum capital?
€0.01, paid in cash or in kind.
Do I need a notary?
Yes. A Dutch civil-law notary executes the deed and registers the BV with KVK. We arrange it.
What is the KVK registration fee?
€85.15, paid once. It’s included in every package.
What corporate tax does a BV pay?
19% on the first €200,000 of taxable profit and 25.8% above that.
What is the VAT rate?
21% standard and 9% reduced. With turnover up to €20,000 you can use the KOR exemption. Go includes VAT registration.
Is there tax on dividends?
15% is withheld on dividends, with exemptions and treaty reductions available.
When are the annual accounts due?
Normally by 8 August for a calendar year, and at the latest 12 months after year end.
What is a UBO registration?
The notary records the people who ultimately own or control the BV in the KVK UBO register. It’s included, with video ID.
Do I need to pay myself a salary?
If you hold 5% or more and work for the BV, Dutch rules expect a market-level salary.
Sources (9)
Rates and fees from official and Big Four sources, with the date each was last reviewed.
- PwC: Netherlands corporate income tax 29 May 2026
- PwC: Netherlands other taxes (VAT) 29 May 2026
- PwC: Netherlands withholding taxes 29 May 2026
- PwC: Netherlands tax administration 29 May 2026
- Business.gov.nl: Private limited company (BV) Live page
- Business.gov.nl: Filing annual accounts Live page
- KVK: Registration fee 1 Jan 2026
- KVK: When to file annual accounts Live page
- KVK: Small business scheme (KOR) 22 Sep 2026
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rates and fees change, and your own situation decides what applies. We are not a law firm; where a lawyer or licensed agent is needed, a local partner handles it.
