Starting a business in the Netherlands
Legal Forms of Companies
- The BV (Besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheidi) is a Private Limited Company.
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Number of partners: One or more. It can be constituted of several legal entities or individuals, and 1 shareholder for a BV proprietorship. At least one person on the board of directors must have Dutch citizenship.
Capital (max/min): EUR 0.01
Shareholders and liability: Liability of each partner is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
- The NV (Naamloze Vennootschap) is a Public Limited Company.
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Number of partners: One or more without limitation in the number of partners.
Capital (max/min): Minimum EUR 45,000. 20% should represent the subscribed amount and 25% the amount released at the incorporation
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
- The VOF (Vennootschap Onder Firma) is a general partnership.
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Number of partners: Minimum 2 without limitation in the number of partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required.
Shareholders and liability: Partners' liability is joint and unlimited.
- The CV (Commanditaire Vennootschap) is a limited partnership.
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Number of partners: Minimum 2 without limitation in the number of partners. 2 types of partners: active partners and sleeping partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital required.
Shareholders and liability: At least one active partners have an unlimited liability. Sleeping partners have a liability limited to the amount contributed.
- Bijkantoor is a branch.
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Number of partners: No legal entity, it depends on the status of the parent company.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital is required, if the branch is registered with the Trade Register.
Shareholders and liability: The parent company is liable for actions carried out by the branch except for management which is limited, joint and several.
Business Directories
- Financial Information Directories
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Dun & Bradstreet - Worldwide directory with financial information on businesses
Kompass Netherlands - Business directory for the Netherlands
KVK - Extracts or financial statements on Dutch companies
To go further, check out our service Business directories.
Professional Associations
- General Professional Associations
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VNO-NCW - Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers
VNO-NCW - The Confederation of Netherlands Industry and Employers
MKB - Information Center for SMEs
To go further, check out our service Professional associations.
Business Setup Procedures
Setting Up a Company |
Netherlands |
OECD |
Procedures (number) |
4.0 |
5.2 |
Time (days) |
3.5 |
9.5 |
Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.
- The Competent Organisation
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the Trade Register.
- For Further Information
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Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Netherlands.
Trade Register
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Latest Update: January 2023