How Much Does Company Registration Cost in Netherlands?

This is one of the first questions we hear from international founders. How much does company registration cost in Netherlands? People usually ask this before they even decide business structure, bank or location. That is fair. When you are entering a new country, cost clarity matters more than marketing promises.

Many websites show very low “starting from” prices. Some avoid numbers completely. In reality, Dutch company registration cost depends on what you include in scope. Registration itself is only one part. Notary, Chamber of Commerce, tax numbers, address, banking support, accounting setup — all of this plays a role. This is where confusion starts for most founders.

We see this issue almost daily. Founders budget only for incorporation, then later discover extra expenses they were not prepared for. This creates stress, delays decisions, sometimes even stops the setup halfway. That is exactly what we want to avoid.

In this guide, we explain company registration cost in Netherlands in a simple, practical way. No legal heavy language. No fake low prices. We will walk you through mandatory costs, common optional costs, ongoing expenses, so you know what you are really committing to before starting.

Our goal is not just to tell you a number. Our goal is to help you plan your Dutch company setup confidently, with full visibility on money involved.

Mandatory Costs You Cannot Avoid While Registering a Dutch Company

When founders ask about company registration cost in Netherlands, most expect a single number. In reality, there are few mandatory steps that every company must complete, no matter how small or simple the setup looks. These costs cannot be skipped, and understanding them early helps avoid wrong expectations.

The first unavoidable cost is the Dutch notary. 

For a BV, a notary is legally required to draft and execute the incorporation deed and articles of association. This step makes your company legally active. Notary fees usually depend on shareholder structure, director setup, and whether the incorporation is done remotely. Even for basic structures, this is one of the biggest upfront costs.

Next comes Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registration. 

Once the notary completes incorporation, the company must be registered with the Dutch trade register. This fee is fixed and relatively low, but it is mandatory for all businesses operating in the Netherlands.

Another required step is UBO registration. 

Dutch law requires companies to disclose their ultimate beneficial owners. This is part of compliance and transparency rules and applies to almost all BVs. While the government filing itself is not expensive, the preparation and verification still needs to be done correctly.

Finally, tax registration is essential. After incorporation, your company is registered with the Dutch tax authorities to receive corporate tax and VAT numbers where applicable. The process itself may look simple, but incorrect or incomplete filings often cause delays, especially for foreign founders.

In terms of numbers, founders should plan a baseline mandatory cost between €900 and €1,500 for a standard Dutch BV setup. This usually includes notary incorporation fees, Chamber of Commerce registration, UBO filing, and basic tax registration. The exact figure depends on shareholder structure and whether incorporation is done remotely, but costs below this range often exclude critical steps.

Typical Cost Range to Register a Dutch BV (Realistic Breakdown)

After covering mandatory steps, the next question founders usually ask is simple. So what is the real cost range? Based on what we see in practice, registering a Dutch BV is never just one fixed amount. Still, there is a realistic range most international founders fall into.

For a standard Dutch BV with one or two shareholders, the total registration-related cost usually sits in a mid-range, not extremely cheap, not overly expensive. This typically includes notary work, Chamber of Commerce registration, UBO filing, and basic tax registration support. When people see ads claiming very low prices, important parts are often excluded.

In most cases, founders should expect a complete BV registration cost to land in a few thousand euros, not a few hundred. This is not because the Netherlands is expensive, but because the legal process is structured and professional by design. Cutting too much cost here often leads to delays, rejected bank applications, or rework later.

Complexity also matters. A BV with multiple shareholders, foreign ownership, or holding structure will naturally cost more than a simple single-founder setup. Remote incorporation, which many international founders prefer, can also increase notary involvement slightly.

The key point is this. Dutch BV registration is predictable when planned properly. When founders understand this cost range upfront, budgeting becomes easier and decision-making stays calm, instead of reactive.

For a standard Dutch BV with one or two shareholders, the total company registration cost in Netherlands typically falls between €1,200 and €2,500. This range covers proper notary incorporation, KVK registration, UBO filing, and tax authority registration done correctly.

If the setup involves multiple shareholders, foreign holding entities, or remote incorporation, the cost can increase to around €2,500 to €3,500. This is still normal and expected for compliant setups. Prices far below this level usually mean important work is excluded or delayed until later.

This is why “€599” or “€795 starting from” prices rarely reflect what founders actually pay once the company is legally active and bank-ready.

Most international founders should plan roughly:

• €1,200 – €1,500 → simple single-founder BV
• €1,800 – €2,500 → common foreign-owned BV
• €2,500 – €3,500 → holding or multi-shareholder structure

These are registration-stage costs, not first-year operating costs.

Read Also: Netherlands Company Registration Process & Requirements

Common Costs That Increase Your Initial Budget

After registration basics, founders often realize there are a few costs that are not legally mandatory, but very common in real setups. These are the areas where budgets quietly increase if planning is not done early.

A registered business address is one example. If you do not have a physical office in the Netherlands, a virtual or serviced address becomes necessary. This is usually a monthly cost, and price depends on city location and services included. Many founders underestimate this because it starts after incorporation, not before.

Another common cost is banking support. Technically, opening a bank account does not always have a fixed fee. But in practice, founders often need help with document preparation, compliance explanations, or alternative financial institutions when traditional banks decline applications. This support takes time and expertise.

Accounting setup is also frequently missed in early budgeting. Even before your company starts generating revenue, accounting systems, VAT setup, and compliance alignment need to be in place. Some founders delay this, which later causes problems with tax authorities or banks.

Beyond registration, founders usually spend an additional €800 to €2,000 in the first year on practical setup items like registered address services, accounting setup, and banking support. These are not always paid upfront, but they are real expenses that appear soon after incorporation.

Planning for this early avoids the false feeling that registration was “cheap” while operations later become expensive.

Ongoing Annual Costs After Company Registration in Netherlands

Registering the company is only the starting point. After setup, there are ongoing annual costs that every Dutch company must plan for, even if the business is not very active in first year.

The most consistent expense is accounting and bookkeeping. Dutch compliance rules require proper records, VAT filings when applicable, and annual financial statements. This is not optional. Even companies with low transactions must file correctly, otherwise penalties follow.

There is also annual Chamber of Commerce compliance. While the registration fee is one-time, companies must keep their details updated and publish required information each year. Small changes, like director updates or activity changes, may add extra costs later.

On an annual basis, most small Dutch BVs spend €1,500 to €3,000 per year on mandatory compliance such as bookkeeping, VAT filings, annual accounts, and corporate tax returns. Companies with more activity or employees should expect higher annual costs.

Even dormant companies still carry minimum compliance costs, which founders must factor in from day one.

Why Company Registration Costs Differ From Founder to Founder?

One common mistake founders make is expecting a fixed price that applies to everyone. In reality, company registration cost in Netherlands changes based on few very practical factors. This is normal, and it does not mean pricing is unclear or unfair.

The shareholder and director structure plays a big role. A single founder BV is simpler than a setup with multiple shareholders, foreign entities, or holding layers. More people involved means more verification, more notary work, and more documentation.

Business activity also matters. A consulting or software company usually faces fewer compliance checks than an e-commerce, fintech, or import-export business. Some activities trigger extra banking questions or tax registrations, which affects overall cost and timeline.

Another factor is remote incorporation. Many international founders prefer not to visit the Netherlands. Remote setups are absolutely possible, but they involve additional identity checks and coordination, which slightly increases notary and onboarding effort.

Finally, banking requirements vary from founder to founder. Some profiles pass smoothly, others need alternative solutions. This difference alone can change both cost and timeline.

This is why comparing prices without context often leads to wrong conclusions. Once structure and goals are clear, costs become predictable and manageable.

Also Checkout: How to Start a Business in the Netherlands as a Foreigner?

How FirmNL Helps Founders Control Costs Without Cutting Corners?

Most cost problems do not come from high fees. They come from poor planning, wrong assumptions, or missing steps early. This is where the right local guidance makes a real difference.

When founders work with our Netherlands-based consulting team, the first focus is always scope clarity. We explain what is mandatory, what is optional, and what can safely be delayed. This alone prevents unnecessary spending in early stage. Many founders pay extra simply because they were not told what they actually need now.

We also work with bundled, practical setups, not fragmented services. Instead of charging separately for every small action, we align incorporation, tax registration, address coordination, and compliance onboarding in one clear flow. This reduces overlap, saves time, and avoids surprise invoices later.

Another area where costs stay under control is banking and compliance readiness. Clean documentation from day one improves approval chances and avoids repeated submissions. That saves both money and weeks of delay, which often cost more than fees themselves.

The goal is simple. Help founders enter the Dutch market with confidence, full visibility on costs, and no shortcuts that create problems later. When costs are planned properly, company registration in Netherlands becomes a structured business decision, not a stressful gamble.

Final Thoughts on Company Registration Cost in Netherlands

When founders ask about company registration cost in Netherlands, they usually want one clear answer. The truth is slightly broader, but not complicated. There is a realistic range, there are mandatory costs, and there are optional expenses that depend on how you set up and operate.

So in simple terms, company registration in Netherlands usually costs €1,200–€3,500 to set up, and €1,500–€3,000 per year to maintain, depending on structure and activity.

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