Eurasia & CIS Desk

The Eurasia and CIS desk of Law & More assists entrepreneurs, companies and private clients from Eurasia and the CIS region who do business or live in the Netherlands. We advise on company formation, contracts, real estate and immigration, with Russian-speaking staff available for the first contact. The first step is a free introductory meeting in which we discuss your plans and the documents you already have.

Clients rate Law & More 9.6 out of 10 on Klantenvertellen, the Dutch review platform (81 reviews, as of October 2026).

What can we help you with?

• Setting up a Dutch BV or a branch of your foreign company.
• Drafting and reviewing contracts with Dutch and European partners.
• Buying, selling or renting residential or commercial property in the Netherlands.
• Applying for a residence permit for yourself, your employees or your family.
• Checking whether a transaction or business relationship is affected by EU sanctions.
• Collecting a claim or resolving a dispute with a Dutch counterparty.

How do you set up a company in the Netherlands from abroad?

Most foreign entrepreneurs choose a Dutch private limited company (BV), incorporated by a civil-law notary and registered with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK). A BV can be set up without a minimum share capital, and foreign shareholders and directors are allowed.

Before signing the deed, the notary must identify all shareholders and directors and check the source of funds under the Dutch Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Act (Wwft). Foreign documents, such as extracts from a commercial register or a passport copy, often need an apostille or legalisation and a sworn translation. The BV must also register its ultimate beneficial owners in the UBO register.

Opening a Dutch business bank account often takes longer than the incorporation itself, because banks carry out their own due diligence. Plan for several weeks and prepare a clear structure chart and business plan. Our page on company formation in the Netherlands and our guide to setting up a Dutch BV with foreign shareholders explain the steps.

What should you arrange in a contract with a Dutch partner?

Agree in writing which law applies and which court or arbitral tribunal decides disputes. Without clear clauses, you may end up litigating in a country where the judgment cannot be enforced against the other party's assets.

Within the EU, judgments of a Dutch court can be enforced in other member states with relatively little formality. For enforcement in a country outside the EU, there is often no treaty that guarantees recognition of a Dutch court judgment. An arbitration clause can then be the better choice: arbitral awards are recognised under the 1958 New York Convention, to which many countries in the region are party. We draft contracts in English, and we check payment terms, retention of title and limitation of liability. See our contract lawyer page for more.

Can you buy real estate in the Netherlands as a foreign national?

Dutch law does not generally restrict foreign nationals or foreign companies from buying property in the Netherlands. The transfer always takes place by notarial deed, which the notary registers in the public registers of the Land Registry (Kadaster).

The purchase agreement is usually signed before the notarial transfer. For residential property bought by a private buyer, Article 7:2 of the Dutch Civil Code gives the buyer a three-day cooling-off period after receiving the signed agreement. The notary will also apply Wwft checks, including the origin of the purchase money. Have the purchase agreement reviewed before you sign it, especially conditions on financing, the state of the property and the transfer date. See our real estate lawyer page.

Which residence permit fits your situation?

Nationals of most CIS countries need a residence permit to live and work in the Netherlands, and usually a provisional residence permit (MVV) to enter for a long stay. The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) decides on applications.

A common route is the highly skilled migrant permit, applied for by an employer that the IND has recognised as a sponsor. Other routes are the permit for self-employment, which requires a business plan assessed on its value for the Dutch economy, and permits for family members. Each route has its own conditions, such as salary criteria that the IND adjusts every year. Our immigration lawyer page and our page on the highly skilled migrant route give more detail.

How do EU sanctions affect your plans?

The EU has adopted extensive sanctions against Russia and Belarus, including asset freezes and restrictions on trade, financing and services. In the Netherlands, violation of these sanctions is a criminal offence under the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977).

Banks, notaries and lawyers must screen clients and transactions against the sanctions lists. The Russia sanctions also restrict the provision of certain services, including legal advisory services, to the Russian government and to legal persons established in Russia, subject to specific exemptions. We therefore check every new matter before we accept it, and in some cases we cannot assist. If you are unsure whether a transaction falls under the sanctions, have it assessed before you sign or pay. The Dutch government publishes general information on international sanctions.

How does working with Law & More work?

1. Introductory meeting: we discuss your plans, free of charge; Russian-speaking staff are available for the first contact.
2. Advice and cost estimate: after a sanctions and identity check, we advise on the approach and give you a cost estimate.
3. Approach and negotiation: we draft documents, coordinate with the notary, bank or IND, and negotiate with counterparties.
4. Proceedings or completion: the transaction or application is completed, or we conduct proceedings in a dispute.

What does the Eurasia and CIS desk cost?

We work at an hourly rate of 250 to 350 euros excluding VAT for a lawyer and 300 to 400 euros excluding VAT for a partner. We discuss the rate and the expected time with you in advance. The introductory meeting is free of charge. A one-off advice meeting without further assistance costs 300 euros including VAT.

We do not work on the basis of legal aid. Subsidised legal aid exists through the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand), but we do not accept cases on that basis. External costs, such as notary fees, IND fees, sworn translations and court fees (griffierecht), are charged separately.

Who handles your case?

Matters of the Eurasia and CIS desk are handled by Ruby van Kersbergen, who works in corporate, immigration and real estate law. Tom Meevis, founder and managing partner, is involved in corporate matters. You can read more about them on our team page.

Frequently asked questions

Can I speak Russian with someone at Law & More?

Yes, Russian-speaking staff are available for the first contact, so you can explain your situation in your own language. Our legal advice, documents and court proceedings are in English or Dutch. Where official documents must be translated, we work with sworn translators. Let us know your preferred language when you contact us, so we can plan the introductory meeting accordingly.

Can a foreign national be the director of a Dutch BV?

Yes. Dutch law has no nationality or residence requirement for directors or shareholders of a BV. However, if you want to live in the Netherlands and work for the BV yourself, you need a residence permit that allows this. Banks and the tax authorities may also ask about the substance of the company in the Netherlands, such as an office and local management.

How long does it take to set up a BV from abroad?

Once the identity and source of funds checks are complete, the notary can usually execute the deed within one to two weeks. The checks themselves can take longer for foreign shareholders, especially if documents need an apostille and a sworn translation. Opening a bank account often takes several more weeks, so start that process early.

Do EU sanctions apply to me if I live in the Netherlands?

EU sanctions apply to everyone within the EU, to EU nationals and to companies incorporated in the EU, among others. Whether they affect you depends on the people, companies, goods and services involved, not only on your nationality. Banks and notaries will screen you, and a hit on a sanctions list can freeze your assets. Have a transaction checked before you proceed.

Can I buy a house in the Netherlands without a residence permit?

In general, yes. Buying property does not require Dutch residence or nationality, and the notary handles the transfer. Owning a home does not give you a right of residence, however. For a mortgage, Dutch banks usually set extra conditions for non-residents. The notary will apply Wwft checks, including the origin of the purchase money.

Can you collect a claim against a Dutch company for me?

Yes. We first send a formal demand letter and try to reach a payment arrangement. If the debtor does not pay or disputes the claim, we can start proceedings before the Dutch court and, where useful, request a prejudgment attachment on the debtor's assets. A sanctions check is part of our intake for every new matter.

In doubt about your position? Tell us about your situation via our contact page or call +31 40 369 06 80, or e-mail info@lawandmore.nl. We will let you know within one working day what your options are.

Law & More, Marconilaan 13, 5612 HM Eindhoven (+31 40 369 06 80) and visiting location Pietersbergweg 291, 1105 BM Amsterdam (+31 20 369 71 21). Available Monday to Friday 08:00-22:00, Saturday and Sunday 09:00-17:00.

This page provides general information and does not replace advice on your specific situation.