If you would like to be your own boss, then the Netherlands is a great place to consider starting up your own business. However, there are several administrative issues expats need to take care of.
Registration of a company is one of the key steppingstones in order to legally establish a business in the Netherlands.
A company must be registered with The Trade Register of the Chamber of Commerce in The Netherlands (Handelsregister). This registration must take place in the district where the company’s office address is situated, in other words its principal place of business. Registration must occur within eight days of the incorporation procedure of the company.
What Is Needed to Register A Company in The Netherlands?
The following overview outlines the registration of your business step by step.
- The first step to Dutch company registration is choosing the appropriate name;
- Appoint the shareholder(s) and decide what the amount of the share capital will be;
- Thirdly, get a virtual office in the Netherlands or real address in ‘Holland’ to settle your business;
If you have successfully accomplished the previous steps, you can register your limited liability company in the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce or KvK (‘Kamer van Koophandel’). Every registration of a new company needs to be accompanied by a deed of incorporation. This deed includes:
- A copy of the Article of Association;
- A statement of share capital (paid-in and issued);
- Basic information about your company: name, address and details of founders or all the members of the board of directors;
- A description of each managing director’s authority to represent and bind your company. ABiLiTieS Trust enables you to register your company in the Netherlands by putting you in contact with a highly qualified Dutch notary:
- Finally, you might need to open a Dutch bank account and acquire Dutch tax numbers. In case of the latter, the Dutch tax authorities will issue these numbers.
Reasons to Start a Business in the Netherlands
If you intend to start a business on the European continent, you have to choose a suitable country to begin with. Europe includes 44 countries (28 members of the EU) of various sizes, languages and levels of economic development. You might consider the Netherlands as a good place to establish your European business.
English Language
Regardless of the part of Holland you are in, the locals will speak basic English as a minimum. Your beginner’s attempts to speak Dutch will most likely result in replies in English. The widespread knowledge of the English language has multiple advantages, among which:
- Drafting agreements in English is common practice. You don’t have to translate your contracts in Dutch for them to be legally binding.
- If you employ local personnel or use the services of Dutch vendors, you will not encounter serious communication problems.
- You will not need to adapt your manuals or product packaging;
- The marketing slogans of your company can remain in English, though it may be appropriate to translate your other advertisements.
Short Travel Distances
The big cities like the capital of Amsterdam, Utrecht, Den Hague and Rotterdam are an hour away from one another by car, at the most. The Randstad megalopolis hosts seven of the fifteen million people living in the country. Even the far-off regions or towns are no more than 3 hours away by car. Therefore, you will be able to operate on the whole territory of the country from a single location.
Good Opportunities Online
The broadband penetration in the Netherlands rates among the highest worldwide due to the coaxial and phone networks covering the entire country. Dutch people shop readily online, while it is cheap and easy to arrange payments for the services and goods you offer. Consumers are not biased and more inclined to buy Dutch products: good deals always attract customers.
For more information, please visit:Â
https://www.abilitiestrust.nl/Dutch-Corporate-Services/Netherlands-Company-Set-Up/
