How do you set up a business in Eindhoven as an international entrepreneur?

Evoluon Eindhoven Law & More kantoor

You set up a business in Eindhoven under the same national rules that apply everywhere in the Netherlands: you choose a legal form, register with the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel, KVK) and arrange your tax registration. The main exception concerns founders from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland: they also need a residence permit that allows self-employment, and registering a company does not give that right by itself.

Below you will find what each step involves, what it costs, which permits international founders can use, and which legal points need attention once you start trading and hiring staff.

In practice the legal work comes down to four decisions, and the first one shapes the rest.

  • The legal form. A sole proprietorship or a partnership leaves you personally liable for the debts of the business. A private limited company limits liability to the company, but brings the obligations of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code (BW) with it, such as filing annual accounts and duties for directors that can lead to personal liability. You incorporate a private limited company by notarial deed; there is no minimum capital.
  • Registration. Every business must be entered in the Commercial Register (Handelsregister) of the KVK. That gives you the KVK number you need for invoices, VAT and a business bank account. Companies must also register their ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs).
  • Residence. A founder who is not a national of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland needs a residence permit for the activity, for example the permit for self-employed persons (points system), the start-up permit (one year with a recognised facilitator) or, for US nationals, the route under the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.
  • Trading. Once you are in business, you need general terms and conditions that you provide before the contract is concluded, timely protection of your brand and other intellectual property, and compliance with mandatory Dutch employment law as soon as you hire staff.

Why do international founders choose Eindhoven?

Eindhoven offers a strong technology ecosystem, but no separate legal regime. The advantages lie in the people, the companies and the facilities in the region, not in different rules.

Eindhoven, in the south of the Netherlands, is the centre of the Brainport region. The city has developed from an industrial town into a hub for technology, design and high-tech manufacturing. For international entrepreneurs that means access to specialised suppliers, research institutes and a large pool of technically trained staff.

The region combines large technology companies, a university of technology and many smaller suppliers and start-ups. That creates opportunities for companies that develop products or services for the high-tech sector, but also for service providers who support those companies.

For founders from abroad, the city is also practical. Many companies work in English, the international community is large, and Eindhoven Airport and the rail connections give access to other European markets. Local business support ranges from accelerators and incubators to advisers on legal, tax and financial matters.

Keep in mind that tax rules are national. The Dutch tax system has a lower corporate income tax rate for the first part of the profit and schemes that support innovation, such as the WBSO and the innovation box. These apply in the whole country, not only in Eindhoven. Whether they suit your business is a question for a tax adviser.

What does the High Tech Campus offer?

The High Tech Campus Eindhoven is a business park focused on research and development. According to the Campus itself, more than 300 companies and more than 12,500 professionals work there.

The Campus offers shared facilities, such as labs and prototyping equipment, that a young company could not easily finance on its own. The layout and the shared services are designed to bring companies into contact with each other. For a start-up this can be a way to find partners, customers and staff at an early stage.

From a legal perspective, working on a campus with shared facilities raises its own questions. Check the terms of use of labs and equipment, and agree in writing who owns the results of joint projects before you start working together. An agreement on confidentiality (a non-disclosure agreement) is usually the minimum.

What are the strengths of the Brainport region?

The region focuses on deep tech, energy transition and advanced manufacturing. Large companies such as ASML, NXP and Signify have created an extensive chain of specialised suppliers.

The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) and the universities of applied sciences in the region train many engineers and technicians. That makes it easier to find specialised staff, although competition for talent is strong.

If you want to supply the large technology companies, expect detailed contracts. Purchasing conditions of large customers often contain strict rules on liability, intellectual property, confidentiality and export control. Have these conditions reviewed before you sign, because it is often difficult to change them later.

A practical point to remember: in Eindhoven, your network matters. Your success often depends on how well you connect with the Brainport ecosystem, but the legal basis of your business remains the same as anywhere else in the country.

Which legal form should you choose?

Choose the legal form (rechtsvorm) based on liability, tax, the need for investors and the scale of your plans. Most freelancers start as a sole proprietor; start-ups that want to attract investors or hire staff usually choose a private limited company.

The legal form determines who is liable for the debts of the business, how profits are taxed, how easily you can bring in investors and which administrative obligations apply. In the Netherlands you can choose from several forms: the sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak), the general partnership (vennootschap onder firma, VOF), the professional partnership (maatschap), the private limited company (besloten vennootschap, BV), the public limited company (naamloze vennootschap, NV) and the foundation (stichting).

The overview below gives the main features.

  • Sole proprietorship: simple to set up and suitable for small-scale activities, but you are personally liable for all business debts.
  • Private limited company (BV): the most common form for larger businesses and international entrepreneurs. The BV is a separate legal entity. Shareholders are in principle not liable for its debts, and the company can issue shares to investors. The directors are responsible for management, financial administration and compliance with Dutch rules.
  • Professional partnership (maatschap): used by professionals, for example in healthcare or professional services, who work together and share profits. Each partner can be held liable for a share of the partnership debts.
  • Foundation (stichting): often used for non-profit purposes. A foundation may carry on a business, but under Article 2:285 of the Dutch Civil Code it may not make payments to its founders or board members from its profits. It has no members or shareholders, which makes it unsuitable as a vehicle for investors.
  • Public limited company (NV): used for larger companies, for example listed companies. Under Article 2:67 of the Dutch Civil Code the NV needs a subscribed capital of at least €45,000, and stricter rules apply than for a BV.
Legal formLiabilityMinimum capitalSuitable forScale of activities
Sole proprietorshipPersonal, unlimitedNoneFreelancers, small businessesMost activities, limited scale
BVLimited to the companyNone (at least one share)Start-ups, SMEs, subsidiariesBroad, scalable
MaatschapPartners, for a share eachNoneProfessionalsProfessional services
StichtingThe foundation itselfNoneNon-profit purposesNo profit distribution
NVLimited to the company€45,000Large and listed companiesLarge scale, public

A BV or NV protects your private assets against business debts in most cases, but not always. Directors can be held personally liable, for example under Article 2:248 of the Dutch Civil Code if the company goes bankrupt due to obvious mismanagement, or under Article 6:162 of the Dutch Civil Code if they knowingly let the company enter into obligations it cannot meet. Banks and landlords also often ask directors of young companies for a personal guarantee.

Choosing the right legal form matters, because it affects not only your liability and your tax position but also your chances of attracting investors. You can change the legal form later, for example by transferring a sole proprietorship to a BV, but that has tax consequences. Discuss those with a tax adviser before you decide.

When does a sole proprietorship suit you?

A sole proprietorship suits freelancers and consultants who start small and run limited risks. It is the simplest form, but your private assets are fully exposed to business debts.

  • Advantages: easy to set up, no notary needed, and access to tax deductions for entrepreneurs if you meet the conditions. The self-employed deduction (zelfstandigenaftrek) is €1,200 in 2026 according to the KVK, much lower than in previous years.
  • Disadvantages: you are personally liable for all debts of the business. If the business fails, creditors can recover their claims from your private assets. If you are married in community of property, joint assets can also be at risk.
  • Costs: the KVK charges a one-off registration fee, which is €85.15 at the time of writing and is adjusted for inflation each year.

How does a general partnership (VOF) work?

A VOF is a partnership of two or more partners who run a business together under a common name. Each partner is liable for all debts of the partnership, including debts created by another partner.

  • Structure: the partners share profits and responsibilities according to their agreement.
  • Liability: under Article 18 of the Dutch Commercial Code (Wetboek van Koophandel) each partner is jointly and severally liable for the debts of the partnership. A creditor can claim the full amount from any partner.
  • Agreement: a written partnership agreement is not required by law, but it is essential. Record the contributions, the division of profits, decision-making and what happens when a partner leaves.

Why do start-ups often choose a private limited company (BV)?

The BV separates the business from your private assets and makes it possible to bring in investors through shares. That is why it is the standard form for start-ups that want to grow.

  • Structure: a separate legal entity. Under Article 2:175 of the Dutch Civil Code a shareholder is not personally liable for what is done in the name of the company.
  • Capital: since the simplification of BV law on 1 October 2012, there is no minimum capital. You only need at least one share with voting rights; the old minimum was €18,000.
  • Tax: corporate income tax in 2026 is 19% on taxable profit up to €200,000 and 25.8% on the excess.
  • Suitable for: technology start-ups looking for venture capital, businesses with staff and activities with higher risks.
  • Incorporation: a civil-law notary draws up the deed of incorporation with the articles of association and registers the company with the KVK. Ask several notaries for a quote, as prices vary.
StructureLiabilityMinimum capitalBest for
Sole proprietorshipPersonal (unlimited)NoneFreelancers
VOFPersonal (joint and several)NonePartnerships
BVLimitedNone (one share)Start-ups and scale-ups

Which residence options do international entrepreneurs have?

If you are a national of an EU or EEA country or Switzerland, you can live and work in the Netherlands without a permit. Other founders need a residence permit that allows the activity before they start, and the choice of route depends on nationality, plans and funding.

Nationals of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland can settle in the Netherlands under EU law. They register with the municipality, but do not need a residence permit for self-employment.

Founders from other countries usually need two things: a provisional residence permit (machtiging tot voorlopig verblijf, MVV) to enter, and a residence permit for the purpose of their stay. Nationals of some countries, such as the United States, Canada and Japan, do not need an MVV, but they do need the residence permit. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) decides on applications.

Several routes are open to entrepreneurs:

  • Residence permit for self-employed persons: the IND assesses your business plan with a points system on your experience, your plan and the added value for the Dutch economy. You need at least 90 of the 300 points. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) advises the IND on the plan.
  • Start-up permit: a one-year residence permit for an innovative business, provided you work with a facilitator recognised by RVO and have sufficient funds to live on.
  • Dutch-American Friendship Treaty: lighter conditions for US nationals, discussed below.

A work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning, TWV) is not the right instrument for founders. It is a permit that an employer needs to employ certain workers from outside the EU. For your own business you need a residence permit that allows self-employment.

Start-ups and established companies can also hire highly skilled migrants (kennismigranten). To do so, the employer must first be recognised by the IND as a sponsor and must pay at least the salary threshold. In 2026 the gross monthly threshold is €5,942 for employees aged 30 or older and €4,357 for employees under 30, according to the IND. A separate work permit is then not required.

Whatever your route, registration with the municipality comes first in practice. If you will live in the Netherlands for at least four months within six months, you must register in the Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP) of your municipality within five days of arrival. You then receive a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN), which you need for tax, banking and healthcare insurance.

Keep in mind that registering a business with the KVK does not give you a right of residence or a right to work. Starting activities without the correct permit can lead to fines and can harm later applications.

What does the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) offer US citizens?

The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty lets US nationals start a business in the Netherlands under lighter conditions than the standard permit for self-employed persons. The main condition is an investment of €4,500 in the business.

  • Investment: you deposit at least €4,500 in a Dutch business bank account of your company and keep this capital in the business.
  • Legal form: you can operate as a sole proprietor or set up a BV.
  • Procedure: you register the business, open the bank account and apply to the IND for a residence permit. The IND has a statutory decision period of 90 days, which can be extended. Plan for this when you set a starting date.

The DAFT route does not apply to employees you want to bring from the United States. They need their own residence permit, for example as a highly skilled migrant.

How does the start-up permit work?

The start-up permit gives you one year to develop an innovative product or service in the Netherlands. You must work with a facilitator recognised by RVO, for example an incubator or accelerator.

  • Requirement: the business must be innovative, you need a step-by-step plan, and the facilitator must be recognised by RVO. You also need enough funds to support yourself during the year.
  • Next step: within the year, you must switch to a residence permit for self-employed persons if you want to stay. You then have to meet the points system at that time.

Choose a facilitator carefully. Not every incubator in Eindhoven is recognised, and the IND only accepts facilitators on the RVO list.

How do you register your business, step by step?

Registration is mandatory and follows fixed steps: plan, name, KVK, municipality, tax and bank. The KVK registration may take place from one week before until one week after you start.

Step 1: Develop your plan
Write a business plan covering your market, your customers and your financial projections. If you apply for a start-up or self-employed permit, the plan must convince RVO and the IND, so be specific. Also consider which activities you will carry out, as that determines whether you need permits and how you register.

Step 2: Choose your name
Search the Commercial Register and the Benelux trade mark register to check that your name is available. Under the Trade Names Act (Handelsnaamwet) your trade name may not mislead and may not be so similar to an existing trade name in your region and sector that the public is confused. The KVK does not carry out this check for you.

Step 3: Register with the KVK
You register in the Commercial Register. Founders without a DigiD usually make an appointment at a KVK office. A BV is registered by the notary who draws up the deed of incorporation.

  • Documents: a valid identity document, your address in the Netherlands, a residence permit if required and information about your activities.
  • Address and zoning: you need a business address in the Netherlands. Check whether the local environmental plan (omgevingsplan) allows your activities at that address, especially if you receive customers at home.
  • Costs: a one-off registration fee, €85.15 at the time of writing.
  • Result: you receive a KVK number, which you must mention on invoices, letters and your website.

Step 4: Register with the municipality (BRP)
If you did not do this yet, register with your municipality to obtain a BSN. Without a BSN, many other steps come to a halt.

Step 5: Tax registration
For a sole proprietorship or VOF, the KVK passes your details to the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst), which sends you a VAT number (btw-nummer) and, for sole proprietors, a separate VAT identification number for use on invoices. A BV is also registered for tax purposes via the KVK.

Step 6: Business banking
Open a business account soon after registration. Banks are obliged to identify customers and their beneficial owners under anti-money laundering rules, and can be strict with new companies owned by foreign nationals. Newer banks and payment institutions are sometimes faster, but compare conditions and deposit protection.

Step 7: Recordkeeping
Under Article 2:10 of the Dutch Civil Code and Article 52 of the General Tax Act (Algemene wet inzake rijksbelastingen), businesses must keep their records for seven years, whether on paper or electronic.

How long the whole process takes depends mainly on the residence permit. A sole proprietorship for an EU national can be registered within days; if you need a permit from the IND, the process usually takes several months.

Which legal requirements apply once you start trading?

Once you trade, general rules apply on permits, privacy, cybersecurity, intellectual property and employment. Most technology start-ups need few permits, but privacy and employment law apply almost immediately.

Permits and licences
Technology start-ups usually need fewer permits than, for example, restaurants. Still, check the local environmental plan (omgevingsplan) of the municipality if you want to receive clients at home or use premises for production or storage. Some sectors, such as financial services, childcare and the hospitality industry, need specific licences.

GDPR and data privacy
If you process personal data, for example customer e-mail addresses or user data, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR, in Dutch AVG) applies. You need a privacy statement, data processing agreements with suppliers who process data for you (Article 28 GDPR) and appropriate security (Article 32 GDPR). You must report a data breach that poses a risk to the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens) within 72 hours (Article 33 GDPR). Fines can reach €20 million or 4% of worldwide annual turnover.

Cybersecurity
The Dutch Cybersecurity Act (Cyberbeveiligingswet), which implements the European NIS2 Directive, entered into force on 15 August 2026. It does not apply to all businesses. It mainly covers medium-sized and large organisations in sectors listed in the directive, such as energy, digital infrastructure, manufacturing of certain products and ICT services. Those organisations must register, take risk management measures and report significant incidents. A small start-up usually falls outside the scope, but may still be asked by customers to meet similar requirements under contract.

Intellectual property
For technology companies, intellectual property is often the most valuable asset. Register your brand as a Benelux trade mark with the Benelux Office for Intellectual Property (BOIP) or as an EU trade mark with the EUIPO, and consider patents for technical inventions. Under Article 7 of the Dutch Copyright Act (Auteurswet), the employer is in principle the author of works an employee makes in the course of the job. For work by freelancers and external developers that is different: the rights stay with the maker unless they are transferred by a written deed (Article 2 of the Copyright Act). Record the transfer of rights in every contract with freelancers and co-founders.

Staff and employment law
Before you pay your first employee, you register as an employer with the Tax and Customs Administration for payroll taxes. Dutch employment law is largely mandatory. You continue to pay at least 70% of the salary during illness for up to two years (Article 7:629 of the Dutch Civil Code), you need an occupational health and safety service, and you must inform employees in writing about the main terms of employment (Article 7:655 of the Dutch Civil Code).

If you work with freelancers instead of employees, check whether the relationship is not in fact an employment contract. Since 1 January 2025 the Tax and Customs Administration has resumed enforcement of the rules on false self-employment, which can lead to additional payroll tax assessments.

How are businesses taxed?

A BV pays corporate income tax on its profit; a sole proprietor pays income tax on the profit of the business. VAT is charged separately on your sales in almost all cases.

The Dutch tax system is modern but detailed, and for international entrepreneurs it is often the most difficult part. The main taxes in 2026 are:

  • VAT (btw): the standard rate is 21% and the reduced rate is 9%. Most businesses file a VAT return every quarter.
  • Corporate income tax (vennootschapsbelasting): for a BV, 19% on taxable profit up to €200,000 and 25.8% on the excess.
  • Income tax: a sole proprietor pays progressive income tax on the profit. In 2026 the rates in box 1 are 35.75% up to €38,883, 37.56% up to €78,426 and 49.50% above that, according to the KVK. If you meet the conditions, including the hours criterion, you are entitled to entrepreneurs’ deductions such as the self-employed deduction (€1,200 in 2026) and the SME profit exemption (12.70% of the profit in 2026).

If you work from home, the deduction of costs for a workspace in your own home is subject to strict conditions. Discuss this with your accountant or tax adviser before you rely on it.

The expat scheme (30% ruling)
If you recruit employees from abroad, the expat scheme (30%-regeling) allows the employer to pay part of the salary tax-free as a fixed allowance for the extra costs of working abroad. The maximum is 30% of the salary until the end of 2026. From 1 January 2027 it is reduced to 27%, and the minimum salary for the scheme increases, according to the government business portal Ondernemersplein. Strict conditions apply, including the requirement that the employee was recruited from abroad. Whether a director-shareholder of his or her own BV can use the scheme depends on the facts. We do not give advice on international tax structuring; for these questions we refer you to a tax adviser.

A practical tip: do not do your tax returns yourself if your business is more than very small. A good accountant or tax adviser who knows the Dutch rules prevents costly mistakes. Ask for a quote in advance, because fees vary widely.

How can you fund your Eindhoven start-up?

Start-ups can use government schemes, private investors and loans. The legal structure of your company determines how easily investors can come in.

Government schemes

  • WBSO: a tax scheme for research and development. Employers get a reduction of payroll taxes on R&D wages; self-employed persons can get an additional deduction. You apply through RVO in advance.
  • Innovation box (innovatiebox): profits from qualifying innovative activities are taxed at an effective corporate income tax rate of 9% instead of the normal rate.
  • Public venture capital: the government supports access to capital for start-ups through several instruments run by RVO.
  • Early-stage financing (Vroegefasefinanciering, VFF): a loan for start-ups in the proof-of-concept phase, so they can test whether their idea is viable before they look for investors.
  • SEED Capital scheme: RVO provides loans to investment funds that invest in technology and creative start-ups, which strengthens early-stage financing.

Investors

Eindhoven has an active community of business angels and investment funds, and events on the High Tech Campus and at start-up hubs are good places to meet them.

Investors usually want a stake in the company. In a BV you can issue shares, grant options to employees or use a convertible loan. A transfer or issue of shares in a BV requires a notarial deed (Article 2:196 of the Dutch Civil Code). Record the agreements between founders and investors in a shareholders’ agreement, with rules on decision-making, the transfer of shares, leaver arrangements and what happens if a new investment round dilutes existing shareholders. Proper legal structuring protects both founders and investors.

How do you find office space and facilities?

You do not need a large office to start. Co-working spaces and shared labs are common, but read the contract carefully, because the legal protection of a business tenant is limited.

  • Co-working: the High Tech Campus and other hubs in Eindhoven offer flexible workplaces and networking opportunities.
  • Labs: if you need hardware facilities, shared labs let you use expensive equipment without buying it.
  • Virtual offices: useful if you work from home but want a business address. Check in advance whether the KVK accepts the address as your place of business.

If you rent an office, the lease usually falls under Article 7:230a of the Dutch Civil Code. That gives you only limited protection: after the landlord terminates the lease, you can ask the court to postpone eviction, but you have no right to renewal. Shops, restaurants and other premises open to the public fall under the more protective rules of Article 7:290 of the Dutch Civil Code. Agree clearly on the term, the notice period, indexation and who pays for adjustments to the premises.

What should you know when building your team?

Dutch law protects employees strongly, so arrange contracts properly from the first hire. The minimum wage, holiday allowance and rules on fixed-term contracts are mandatory.

  • Contracts: use written contracts, even though an employment contract is not required to be in writing. Be clear whether a contract is for a fixed or an indefinite period. Under Article 7:668a of the Dutch Civil Code, a series of fixed-term contracts becomes permanent after more than three contracts or after more than three years. A probationary period and a non-compete clause are only valid if agreed in writing (Articles 7:652 and 7:653 of the Dutch Civil Code).
  • Minimum wage: the statutory minimum wage for employees aged 21 and older is €14.71 gross per hour from 1 January 2026 and €14.99 from 1 July 2026, according to the Dutch government.
  • Holiday allowance: you must pay a holiday allowance of at least 8% of the salary, usually once a year in May or June.
  • Holidays: employees are entitled to statutory holidays of at least four times their weekly working hours per year (Article 7:634 of the Dutch Civil Code).

Dismissal is also regulated. You cannot simply end a permanent employment contract: in most cases you need permission from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV), a decision of the court or the employee’s written consent. That is another reason to choose the type of contract carefully at the start.

How do you build your network and community?

Business in Eindhoven is relationship-driven. Regional organisations and events help you find customers, partners and staff.

  • Brainport Development: the economic development organisation of the region, which can help international companies find their way and open doors.
  • Events: start-up hubs and the Campus regularly organise meetings, pitch events and drinks. Dutch business culture values directness and consensus, so pitch clearly but listen carefully.

Keep the legal side in mind when you network. Share confidential information only after signing a non-disclosure agreement, and record agreements with partners in writing, even when they seem informal.

Which challenges do international founders face, and how do you solve them?

The most common obstacles are paperwork, banking and finding staff. Most of them can be prevented with good preparation.

Challenge: bureaucracy

  • International entrepreneurs must deal with Dutch government procedures that can be complex and time-consuming. Next to the registration itself, ongoing obligations such as tax returns, filing annual accounts and compliance with local rules require attention.
  • Solution: involve a lawyer or adviser early. A mistake in an application can cause weeks of delay, especially in an IND procedure.

Challenge: banking

  • Solution: banks are cautious with newly incorporated companies owned by foreign nationals. Prepare your corporate documents, UBO information and, where necessary, certified translations before you apply.

Challenge: competition for talent

  • Solution: become a recognised sponsor with the IND so you can hire highly skilled migrants, and ask a tax adviser whether the expat scheme applies. Eindhoven’s quality of life also helps to attract international staff.

When should you seek legal help?

You can register a sole proprietorship yourself. As soon as you work with other shareholders, need a residence permit or hire staff, legal advice usually pays off.

Consult a lawyer if:

  • you set up a BV with several shareholders and need a shareholders’ agreement;
  • you apply for a residence permit under the DAFT or the start-up permit;
  • you draft employment contracts or agreements on the transfer of intellectual property;
  • you negotiate a commercial lease or the purchasing conditions of a large customer.

Law & More advises international entrepreneurs in Eindhoven on setting up and running a business. We work in corporate law, immigration law and employment law, in English and in Dutch, and help you turn your plans into a sound legal structure.

What does a start-up in Eindhoven need to grow?

A start-up needs the right legal structure, compliance with the basic rules and a place in the regional network. The paperwork is the entry ticket to one of the most active technology regions in Europe.

Eindhoven offers fertile ground for innovation, but growth depends on a sound foundation. By choosing the right legal form, arranging your residence permit on time, protecting your intellectual property and following the employment rules, you prevent problems that are expensive to fix later.

In summary

  • Setting up a business in Eindhoven follows national Dutch rules; the difference lies in the ecosystem, not in the law.
  • A sole proprietor or VOF partner is personally liable; a BV limits liability and needs no minimum capital, but directors can still be held liable.
  • Register with the KVK from one week before until one week after you start; the fee is €85.15 at the time of writing.
  • Founders from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a residence permit, such as the self-employed permit, the start-up permit or the DAFT route for US nationals.
  • Privacy, intellectual property and employment law apply from the start; for tax structuring, involve a tax adviser.

Frequently asked questions

Can I register a business in the Netherlands before I have a residence permit?

You can register a company, and a BV can be incorporated by a non-resident. But registration does not give you the right to live or work in the Netherlands. If you need a permit, wait until you have it before you start working in the business here.

Do I need a Dutch address to register?

Yes. You need a business address in the Netherlands where the business is actually located or can be reached. Check whether the KVK accepts a virtual office or co-working address as your place of business.

Is a BV always better than a sole proprietorship?

No. A BV limits liability and suits businesses with investors, staff or higher risks, but it costs more to set up and run. For a freelancer with low risks and a modest profit, a sole proprietorship is often simpler.

Unsure where you stand? Tell us about your situation. We will let you know your options within one working day.

Ruby van Kersbergen
Ruby van Kersbergen is an attorney-at-law at Law & More in Eindhoven and Amsterdam. She specialises in contract law, corporate law and corporate legal services, and also works in migration law.

Need Legal Assistance?

Have you received a letter, a writ of summons or a judgment? Send us the documents. We will check which deadlines apply and what your options are.

This article provides general information and is not a substitute for advice on your specific situation.

Related articles

A B.V. in oprichting, a Dutch private limited company in formation, is not a legal

Explore mergers and acquisitions in the Netherlands for 2025. Get expert legal insights for individuals

Sanctions compliance means checking, before money moves or goods ship, that no counterparty, owner, vessel

Explore common corporate legal issues that matter in the Netherlands, enhancing your understanding of their
Discover what is family business law, why it matters in the Netherlands, and how it

A participation agreement is the contract between a company, its existing shareholders and an incoming

Stay Updated on Dutch Law

Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest legal insights, regulatory updates, and practical advice.