What you should know about starting a business in the Netherlands
Posted by setupyourdutchcompany on May 25th, 2017
Whether you are starting a private individual or a foreign company, there are formalities that you must pass through. These legal procedures will ensure that you make the right decisions and you run your company legally. You do not want to mess up with the law especially if you are a foreigner. This article will guide you on what to do.
Requirements
For you to get approval for starting a new company in the Netherlands, you should be able to demonstrate that the business is new. If the firm is not new, then it should be a branch of an existing organization. This will serve as the material economic purpose in the Netherlands. You must also illustrate why it is necessary for you to have a branch of your company operating in the Netherlands.
Registering the business
To start a business in the Netherlands, you must first register with the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel). There are appropriate business application forms that should be filled in Dutch and these are obtained from the Chamber of Commerce. There are various types of businesses in the Netherlands. However, the common one are the Partnership / Sole Tradership (VOF / Eenmanszaak) and the Dutch bv company formation (Besloten Vennootschap). You can register your company as a BV or a Dutch branch of your existing foreign company.
Starting a BV or subsidiary
If you opt for the BV structure, then you will be creating a distinct entity for your Dutch business operations. In such a case, your risks and liabilities will all fall under the Dutch entity. The company will be handled as a Dutch firm that is owned by an established parent company or by you.
Starting a branch company
If you decide to start your company as a Dutch branch that has its headquarters in a foreign land then the parent company will be the key player in the structure of your business. All the liabilities and risks will then shift from the Dutch entity to the foreign parent company. However, you will be required to set up office in the Netherlands where your business will be permanently established. This will be a second establishment of your foreign company.
Professional qualifications
Most types of businesses are required to have specified business or professional qualifications. Some of these qualifications are the Dutch General Business Skills Diploma or an equivalent qualification or MBA. You can obtain information on professional qualifications from the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. You should also check with The Netherlands Organization for International Cooperation in Higher Education (Nuffic) as it has a foreign qualification accreditation service that will determine whether your qualifications satisfy the standards needed for running a company in the Netherlands.
Taxation
When you start your business in the Netherlands, you will be liable for the Dutch taxes. You will be required to pay taxes such as corporate income tax, value-added tax and Payroll tax. After a successful Dutch bv company formation and registration at the Chamber of Commerce, your company details are automatically taken to the tax office. The tax authorities are responsible for assessing the taxes that your business will be filing. If your business is registered as a sole tradership or partnership, then you will have to file personal income tax.
