Starting a Business in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the easiest places in Europe to do business and one of the most confusing places to start one as a foreigner, because the residence question and the company question must be answered together. The right legal form depends on your visa route, and your visa route depends on what you are building.
We untangle that knot at the very first conversation. You get a single roadmap covering your residence basis, your company structure and your first registrations, plus a direct WhatsApp line to us at any hour while you execute it.
Who starts here
- Non-EU entrepreneurs who need both a permit and a company
- EU citizens who can start immediately but want the setup done right
- Freelancers and consultants bringing an existing practice to the Netherlands
- Founders still choosing between the Netherlands and other European bases
What the roadmap covers
Residence strategy
Startup visa, DAFT for Americans, the self-employed permit or no permit at all for EU citizens. We identify the basis that fits your nationality and your plans.
Legal form advice
Eenmanszaak or BV, explained in terms of liability, taxes and how each choice interacts with your immigration route.
Registrations in order
KvK, VAT number from the tax authority, business bank account and insurances, sequenced so nothing blocks anything else.
Life around the business
A place to live, registration in your municipality, healthcare and family arrangements, because a founder who cannot settle cannot build.
From idea to open for business
- 01
Strategy session
One intake covering your business, nationality and family. You leave with the route decided.
- 02
Permit and paperwork
We run the immigration application and the company formation in parallel wherever possible.
- 03
Doors open
Registered, banked, insured and housed. You start invoicing while we finish the loose ends.
Founders ask us
Can I start a Dutch business without living in the Netherlands?
You can own a Dutch company from abroad, but running it locally as a non-EU national requires a residence basis. We help you decide whether you truly need to move, and if so, on which permit.
Do I need a Dutch business partner?
No. The Netherlands does not require local shareholders or directors for most structures. Your company can be fully yours.
How long before I can actually trade?
For EU citizens, days. For non-EU founders the permit determines the pace, and we confirm current IND timelines during your intake so your launch date is realistic from day one.
Your company belongs here
Describe your business in two sentences. We will come back with the route, the structure and the first three steps.
Thank you, your inquiry has been sent
Johanna will personally review your situation and reply within one business day, usually much sooner. For anything urgent, message us on WhatsApp.
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