How to Register a Company in the Netherlands from India BV, KVK, Notary & Step-by-Step (2026)

The Netherlands is one of Europe’s most business-friendly destinations for Indian entrepreneurs. With a EUR 0.01 minimum share capital, no mandatory resident director requirement, and a robust legal framework, setting up a Dutch Besloten Vennootschap (BV) the Dutch equivalent of a private limited company has never been more accessible for Indian founders, holding company owners, and tech entrepreneurs.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of registering a company in the Netherlands from India in 2026, including the KVK registration process, notary requirements, UBO register, and tax number applications.

Why Indian Entrepreneurs Choose the Netherlands

The Netherlands consistently ranks among the top EU destinations for foreign investment and company formation. Here’s why Indian business owners are increasingly drawn to the Dutch market:

• Strategic EU Gateway: Full access to the European Single Market (450+ million consumers)
  
• Favourable Tax Regime: 19% CIT on first EUR 200,000 profit; Innovation Box at just 9% for qualifying IP
  
• India-Netherlands DTAA: Double Tax Avoidance Agreement with a uniform 10% rate on dividends, interest, and royalties
  
• Participation Exemption: Dividends and capital gains from subsidiaries (5%+ holding) are fully exempt
  
• No Minimum Capital Barrier: A Dutch BV can be formed with just EUR 0.01 in share capital
  
• Strong Legal Infrastructure: English widely spoken; transparent regulatory environment
  
• 100% Foreign Ownership: Non-EU residents can fully own a Dutch BV with no local partner requirement

What is a Dutch BV (Besloten Vennootschap)?

A Besloten Vennootschap (BV) is the Netherlands’ most popular private limited liability company structure comparable to a Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) in India or an LLC in the United States.

Key characteristics of a Dutch BV:

• Limited Liability: Shareholders are liable only up to their shareholding amount
  
• Minimum Share Capital: EUR 0.01 (effectively zero barrier)
  
• Separate Legal Entity: Can sign contracts, own property, and sue/be sued independently
  
• Shares Are Not Publicly Traded: Unlike an NV (Naamloze Vennootschap / public company)
  
• Directors (Bestuurders): Minimum one director required; no nationality/residency requirement
  
• Statutory Deed: Company formation requires a notarial deed (executed by a Dutch civil-law notary)

For Indian entrepreneurs, the BV is the preferred vehicle for EU holding structures, IP holding, tech operations, and import/export businesses.

Can Foreigners (Indians) Own 100% of a Dutch Company?

Yes absolutely. The Netherlands imposes no restrictions on foreign ownership of Dutch companies. An Indian resident can:

• Own 100% of the shares of a Dutch BV
  
• Serve as the sole director of the company
  
• Operate the company without a Dutch resident director (though substance requirements apply for tax purposes)
  
• Repatriate profits to India subject to FEMA/RBI rules and India-Netherlands DTAA provisions

Important note on substance: While legal ownership and directorship have no nationality restrictions, Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst) require genuine economic substance in the Netherlands for the company to be treated as a Dutch tax resident and access treaty benefits. This typically means having local management decisions, a local office, and/or local employees.

Documents Required to Register a Dutch BV from India

As an Indian national registering a Dutch BV remotely, you will need to prepare the following documents:

For the Company / Directors / Shareholders

• Valid passport (all directors and shareholders)
  
• Recent proof of address (utility bill or bank statement not older than 3 months)
  
• Declaration of no criminal record / Certificate of Good Conduct (may be required by notary)
  
• Power of Attorney (if using a representative/formation agent for the notarial deed)
  
• Proposed company name (check availability at KVK beforehand)
  
• Proposed business activities (SBI codes Dutch industry classification codes)
  
• Registered office address in the Netherlands (can be a virtual office address initially)
  
• Share capital amount and shareholder structure details
  
• Details of UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner any person holding 25%+ shares)

For Indian Regulatory Compliance (FEMA/RBI)

• Form ODI (Overseas Direct Investment) filed through your Indian bank under FEMA regulations
  
• Valuation report (for investments above prescribed thresholds)
  
• Annual Performance Reports post-incorporation

Step-by-Step Process to Register a Dutch BV from India

Step 1: Choose Your Company Name

Check name availability on the KVK (Kamer van Koophandel) website. The name must be unique and cannot mislead the public about your business activities. Names containing words like “Bank,” “Insurance,” or “Royal” require special approval.

Step 2: Prepare Your Incorporation Documents

Work with a Dutch notary or incorporation agent to draft:

• Articles of Association (Statuten)
  
• Shareholder Resolution
  
• Director Appointment Letter
  
• UBO Declaration

Step 3: Execute the Notarial Deed

A Dutch civil-law notary (notaris) must execute the deed of incorporation. As of 2024–2026, this can be done fully online via video identification for many nationalities, eliminating the need to travel to the Netherlands. The notary will:

• Verify the identities of directors/shareholders
  
• Execute the Articles of Association
  
• Register the company with the KVK

Step 4: KVK Registration (Kamer van Koophandel)

The notary typically handles the initial KVK registration as part of incorporation. You receive a unique KVK number (8 digits) which serves as your Dutch company registration number. The KVK registration fee is EUR 85 (2026 rate).

Step 5: Open a Dutch Business Bank Account

You will need a Dutch business bank account for depositing share capital and conducting business. Options include ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank, or fintech alternatives like Bunq. Note: Opening a bank account for a non-resident-owned BV can be challenging see our dedicated banking guide for full details.

Step 6: Register for Tax at Belastingdienst

After KVK registration, register with the Dutch Tax Authority (Belastingdienst) for:

• Vennootschapsbelasting (Corporate Income Tax / CIT)
  
• BTW (Value Added Tax / VAT) if your turnover exceeds EUR 0 (registration is mandatory for most businesses)
  
• Loonbelasting (Payroll Tax) if you employ staff

Step 7: File UBO Register

All Dutch BVs must register their Ultimate Beneficial Owners with the KVK UBO Register. This is a legal obligation and non-compliance attracts significant penalties.

Step 8: FEMA/RBI Compliance in India

As an Indian resident investing in a Dutch company, you must comply with FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act) regulations and file the necessary RBI ODI forms through your authorised dealer bank in India.

KVK Registration Explained

The Kamer van Koophandel (KVK) is the Dutch Chamber of Commerce the official body that maintains the Dutch Business Register (Handelsregister). Every Dutch business must be registered with the KVK.

Upon registration, your BV receives:

• KVK Number: 8-digit unique business identifier (e.g., 12345678)
  
• RSIN Number: Legal entities number used by tax authorities
  
• Establishment Number: For each branch location

The KVK Register is publicly accessible third parties can look up your company’s registration details, directors, and UBO information.

KVK Number vs BTW Number What’s the Difference?

Key point: The BTW number is your EU VAT number and is essential for issuing invoices to EU clients and claiming input VAT. Both numbers will appear on your company letterhead and invoices.

UBO Register Mandatory Filing for All Dutch BVs

Under EU Anti-Money Laundering Directives implemented in Dutch law, all Dutch legal entities must register their Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs) in the KVK UBO Register.

A UBO is any individual who

• Holds more than 25% of the shares or voting rights, OR
  
• Has effective control over the company through other means

What information is registered

• Name, date of birth, nationality, country of residence
• Nature and extent of the beneficial interest held

Public vs Private: Certain UBO information is accessible to the public; other details (like date of birth and address) are restricted to competent authorities.

Penalties for non-compliance: Failure to register UBOs or providing inaccurate information can result in fines and/or criminal prosecution.

Notary Requirement in 2024–2026 Is It Fully Online?

Historically, forming a Dutch BV required physical presence before a Dutch civil-law notary. This changed significantly:

• 2012: Simplified BV (Flex-BV) introduced EUR 0.01 minimum capital, no bank statement required
  
• 2019+: Remote identification procedures introduced for EU residents
  
• 2024–2026: Fully online notarial deed execution available via video identification for most nationalities including Indians

As of 2026, Indian nationals can complete the entire incorporation process remotely through a Dutch notary who offers online identification. Typical notary fees range from EUR 900 to EUR 1,500 depending on complexity and the notary firm.

Important: While the deed itself can be executed online, the notary will require apostilled identity documents in some cases. Work with a formation agent familiar with Indian applicants to streamline this process.

Substance Requirements What They Mean for Indian Directors

The Netherlands requires genuine economic substance for companies to be treated as Dutch tax residents and access treaty benefits (including the India-Netherlands DTAA). Specifically, the Dutch Tax Authority looks for:

• At least half of the board of directors should be resident in the Netherlands (or elsewhere outside India)
  
• Key management decisions should be made in the Netherlands
  
• A registered office and local bank account in the Netherlands
  
• Adequate qualified personnel and operating costs in the Netherlands

Solutions for Indian entrepreneurs

• Appoint a Dutch-resident co-director or professional director service
  
• Use a domiciliation service with genuine substance (board meetings held in NL)
  
• Engage a Dutch management company for administrative substance

Ignoring substance requirements risks the company being treated as resident in India for tax purposes, negating the key advantages of the Dutch structure.

Timeline and Costs at a Glance

Total estimated formation cost: EUR 1,500–3,000 (excluding professional fees for legal/tax advice)

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to travel to the Netherlands to register a BV?

No. As of 2024–2026, Indian nationals can complete Dutch BV formation entirely remotely via online notarial procedures. A Power of Attorney may be required in some cases.

Can a sole Indian shareholder and director set up a Dutch BV?

Yes. A BV can have a single shareholder and a single director both positions can be held by the same Indian national. However, substance requirements should be addressed through additional arrangements.

What is the minimum share capital for a Dutch BV?

Since the 2012 Flex-BV reform, the minimum share capital is just EUR 0.01. There is no minimum paid-up capital requirement beyond this nominal amount.

How long does it take to register a Dutch BV?

Typically 2–4 weeks from document preparation to KVK registration. Bank account opening may add another 4–8 weeks.

Is the Dutch UBO Register publicly accessible?

Partially. Basic UBO information (name, nature of interest) is publicly accessible. Sensitive data like date of birth and address is restricted to competent authorities.

Do I need a Dutch address to register a BV?

Yes. A registered office address in the Netherlands is required. This can be a virtual office address from a registered provider, although a genuine operational address is preferred for substance purposes.

What is the RSIN number and is it different from the KVK number?

Yes. The KVK number (8 digits) is your trade register number; the RSIN (Rechtspersonen en Samenwerkingsverbanden Identificatienummer) is the legal entity number used by the Belastingdienst. Both are assigned upon incorporation.