Set up a company in The Netherlands

The Netherlands is known for a prosperous and open economy having a jurisdiction that allows and more over encourages foreign investments. Incorporating a company in Netherlands has a lot of advantages, including law taxes and governmental support. The procedure is fairly simple and does not require many administrative procedures.

Preliminary activities before registering public and private limited companies in The Netherlands
An important step, prior to registration of a Dutch public and private limited company is opening a bank account and depositing the minimum capital required. After verification, the bank issues a certificate that is useful in the registration process. It is mandatory that the name of the company is not used by another company. In order to ensure that this is not the case, the founders must verify the uniqueness of their company's name at the Chamber of Commerce. This procedure is done via e-mail, and the response arrives in a few days time. Also an important step, prior to registration consists of submitting details of the incorporators and managing directors to the Ministry of Justice. After obtaining approval from the Ministry of Justice, the notary can execute the deed of incorporation. The deed must be signed and drafted by a civil law notary.

Registering the private and public limited companies with the Commercial Register at the local Chamber of Commerce
The incorporators of the Dutch company can either visit the Chamber of Commerce and submit their application, in which case they receive a registration number in a few hours, or submit an application via e-mail, receiving the registration number within a week. The application must contain certified copies of the deed of incorporation, approval from the Ministry of justice and a bank certificate proving the minimum capital has been deposited.

Registering with the local tax authorities in The Netherlands
A private or public limited company in The Netherlands must obtain a tax number, which can be accomplished by submitting a registration form at the local tax authorities. The entrepreneurs must submit a separate registration form for income tax. The forms are obtained at the local tax authorities, or on official websites, and consist mostly of the company's and member's information.

Setting up a Dutch company from abroad
Netherlands government has the same rules for foreign and national entrepreneurs, ensuring equal and non-discriminatory treatment. Due to the fact that the incorporation procedures are available electronically, the physical presence of the founders is not mandatory. The whole incorporation procedure for a foreign investor is no different  from incorporation of a Dutch company.

How long does it take to found a Dutch company?
The minimum period of time for incorporating a Dutch company is ten days. However registration with the tax authorities may take up to a month and obtaining an approval from the Ministry of Justice may also take longer, up to two weeks. Usually a Dutch company is functional approximately one month.