Company formation, mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures and corporate governance for foreign investors and businesses.
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Global law firm with strong Netherlands practice. Full-service firm with expertise in corporate transactions, employment law, and real estate.
International firm with extensive Netherlands presence. Strong in corporate transactions, immigration, and real estate law.
Multi-jurisdictional firm with strong Netherlands practice in corporate law, real estate, and commercial transactions.
Top-tier international firm with Amsterdam office. Specialist in complex corporate transactions and banking law.
Leading global law firm with Amsterdam presence. Strong in corporate and banking law.
International law firm with strong Netherlands practice in corporate and commercial law.
International firm with Amsterdam office. Full-service capabilities in corporate, employment, and immigration matters.
Leading Dutch firm with strong international practice. Based in The Hague with expertise in corporate and real estate law.
Top Netherlands firm with multi-jurisdictional expertise. Strong in corporate transactions, tax law, and wealth management.
Prominent Dutch firm with international capabilities. Strong in corporate transactions and banking law.
Top Dutch law firm with broad practice areas. Strong reputation in corporate law and commercial transactions.
Dutch-based firm with international experience. Focus on corporate, employment, and real estate matters.
Mid-market firm with comprehensive legal services. Experienced in corporate law and immigration matters.
International firm with Amsterdam office. Strong in employment law and immigration matters.
Amsterdam-based firm with expertise in corporate law and immigration for expats.
Progressive Amsterdam firm with focus on corporate and real estate law.
Rotterdam-based firm with regional expertise. Strong in corporate and real estate transactions.
Utrecht-based firm serving clients nationally. Full-service capabilities in corporate and commercial law.
International business advisory with legal services. Strong in tax and corporate matters.
Dutch firm with international clients. Expertise in corporate and commercial law.
Rotterdam firm with expertise in corporate and real estate law.
Amsterdam firm with strong track record in corporate transactions and real estate.
The Hague-based firm with broad commercial practice.
Established Dutch firm with international practice. Strong in corporate and banking law.
Full-service Amsterdam firm with broad practice areas.
Amsterdam firm with expertise in corporate and real estate matters.
Amsterdam firm with focus on corporate and M&A transactions.
Eindhoven-based firm serving regional and national clients.
Northern Netherlands firm with broad practice areas.
Amsterdam firm with strong M&A and banking practice.
Full-service Amsterdam firm with diverse practice areas.
Amsterdam firm with expertise in immigration and family law.
The Hague firm with broad commercial practice.
Rotterdam firm with focus on corporate and commercial matters.
Leading maritime law firm in Rotterdam port
EU and international law focus
Yes — a local lawyer or notary is required for company registration in most European countries. English-speaking corporate lawyers can handle the entire process.
Typical documents include due diligence reports, share purchase agreements, regulatory filings, and shareholder resolutions. Your lawyer will guide you through jurisdiction-specific requirements.
Browse our verified directory of law firms across Netherlands's major cities. All listed firms offer English-language legal services to expats and foreign nationals.
Find My Lawyer in 60 SecondsDutch company law is governed by Boek 2 van het Burgerlijk Wetboek (BW) (Arts. 2:1-2:334) for companies generally, with specific provisions for the BV (besloten vennootschap, Arts. 2:175-2:261) and NV (naamloze vennootschap, Arts. 2:64-2:174). The Netherlands is a premier European holding jurisdiction: participation exemption (deelnemingsvrijstelling), extensive DTT network (100+ treaties), the Dutch cooperative (Cooperative U.A.) as a PE-fund vehicle, and holding/finance companies. Amsterdam is a leading M&A hub for European and US cross-border deals.
| Entity | Minimum Capital | Liability | Setup Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BV (Besloten Vennootschap) | EUR 1 (since Flex-BV 2012) | Limited to share capital | 1-3 days (online via notaris) | SMEs, subsidiaries, holding companies, startups |
| NV (Naamloze Vennootschap) | EUR 45,000 | Limited to share capital | 2-4 weeks | Listed companies, large corporations |
| Eenmanszaak (Sole Proprietorship) | None | Unlimited personal liability | 1 day (KVK registration) | Freelancers, ZZP (zzp-ers), small traders |
| VOF (Vennootschap onder Firma) | None | Unlimited joint and several | 1 day (KVK) | Professional partnerships |
| Cooperative U.A. (Cooperatieve Vereniging) | None | Limited per articles | 1-2 weeks (notarial deed) | PE fund vehicles, agricultural cooperatives, employee benefit |
| Stichting (Foundation) | None | Limited (non-profit) | 1 week | Philanthropy, STAK (certification foundation), employee trust |
Dutch corporate tax has two brackets: 19% on the first EUR 200,000 of taxable profit; 25.8% on profit above EUR 200,000 (2024 rates, applicable in 2025). Deelnemingsvrijstelling (participation exemption): dividends and capital gains from qualifying participations (min 5%) are fully exempt from Vpb (Wet Vpb 1969 Art. 13). The Innovation Box (Innovatiebox) reduces the effective Vpb rate to 9% on qualifying IP profits (developed in-house R&D; ATAD-compliant nexus ratio). The Netherlands introduced the OECD Pillar 2 minimum tax (Wet minimumbelasting 2024) with effect from 1 January 2024 for large MNEs (EUR 750M+ revenue).
The Autoriteit Consument en Markt (ACM) applies the Mededingingswet (Mw). National filing thresholds: combined worldwide turnover of all parties ≥ EUR 150 million AND Dutch turnover of each of at least two parties ≥ EUR 30 million. Filing fee: EUR 17,450 for Phase I; additional EUR 17,450 for Phase II. ACM Phase I: 4 weeks; Phase II: up to 13 weeks. EU Commission thresholds (if met, one-stop shop): worldwide turnover > EUR 5B (all) + EU turnover > EUR 250M (each of at least two parties).
A UK-listed software company acquired an Amsterdam-based SaaS startup (BV) for EUR 38 million. The BV's holding structure used a Dutch Stichting Administratiekantoor (STAK) for founder share certification. Due diligence Dutch specifics: (1) Deelnemingsvrijstelling available to UK buyer for future dividend repatriation — post-Brexit UK no longer benefits from EU Parent-Subsidiary Directive; DTT Netherlands-UK (dividends WHT 0% if qualifying holding) applied instead. (2) Dutch 30% ruling (30%-regeling) for 3 key non-Dutch employees of the target: ruling benefits transferable to acquiring entity post-acquisition (confirmed with Belastingdienst). (3) STAK dissolution required before share transfer — notarial process 3 weeks. (4) No ACM filing required (Dutch turnover of at least two parties did not meet EUR 30M threshold each). Transaction closed in 7 weeks from signing to completion.
