Netherlands Besloten Vennootschap (BV) Company Information |
|||
General |
|||
Type of entity: |
BV |
||
Type of law: |
Civil |
||
Shelf company availability: |
No |
||
Our time to establish a new company: |
2-3 weeks |
||
Corporate taxation: |
20% for taxable income up to €200,000: 25.5% for taxable income as of €200,001+ |
||
Double taxation treaty access: |
Yes |
||
Share capital or equivalent |
|||
Standard currency: |
Euro |
||
Permitted currencies: |
Any |
||
Minimum paid up: |
Euro 1 |
||
Directors or Managers |
|||
Minimum number: |
1 |
||
Local required: |
No |
||
Publicly accessible records: |
Yes |
||
Location of meetings: |
Anywhere |
||
Members |
|||
Minimum number: |
1 |
||
Publicly accessible records: |
Yes for single member, otherwise No. |
||
Location of meetings: |
Netherlands |
||
Company Secretary |
|||
Required: |
No |
||
Local or qualified: |
No |
||
Accounts |
|||
Requirement to prepare: |
Yes |
||
Audit requirements: |
Yes |
||
Requirement to file accounts: |
Yes |
||
Publicly accessible accounts: |
Excerpts for small companies, full details for large companies |
||
Other |
|||
Requirement to file annual return: |
Yes |
||
Change in domicile permitted: |
No |
||
General Information
The Netherlands, generally known as Holland, is situated at the estuaries of the Rhine and the Mass and is bordered by Germany in the East and Belgium in the South. The country is small and just 37,000 square Kilometres with almost all of the coastal areas below sea-level, the highest point only being 320 meters above sea level. The capital of the Netherlands is Amsterdam. The Hague is the seat of the Dutch Government. Rotterdam is the largest port in the world.
» Population
The population of the Netherlands is approximately 16 million, with the majority of these living in the west of the country.
» Political Structure
The Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, but political power rests with a democratically elected parliament and is based on a written constitution safeguarding individual liberties. The Netherlands is a member of the EU, OECD, the GATT, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, The United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation.
» Infrastructure and Economy
A leading international trading centre since the 16th century, the Netherlands is within easy reach by land, sea and air of the 300 million people in the European market. Due of its location, it has an impressive transportation infrastructure and has become a favoured site for international companies in a wide range of industries, particularly for warehousing and distribution.
The Netherlands has a free-market economy and is one of the richest nations in the world. Dutch prosperity has always been based on international trade and industry. The country also benefits from rich agricultural land; much of it reclaimed from the sea and significant natural gas resources. Financial services, as well as the transportation and distribution sectors, are also particularly significant. Trade is critical to the Netherlands; both exports and imports account for more than 50% of GDP.
» Language
The official and spoken language is Dutch. However most people also speak English and German.
» Currency
The Euro €.
» Exchange Control
Virtually no exchange controls are imposed in the Netherlands although formal reporting requirements are required by the Central Bank these are mainly for statistical purposes.
» Type of Law
Civil Law.
Company Information
» Principal Corporate Legislation
Commercial Code of the Netherlands
» Procedure to Incorporate
A Public Notary is provided with the information and documentation in order to prepare the draft Articles of Association which are then filed with the Dutch Ministry of Justice.
Before the actual incorporation can take place the Duty Ministry of Justice must first issue a “Certificate of No Objection”.
Upon receipt of the “Certificate of No Objection” the notary executes the Articles of Incorporation
The newly incorporated BV must then be registered in the Trade Registry of the Chamber of Commerce.
Provide proof that the minimum capital of €1 has been paid-up
The deed and articles are prepared in Dutch but an English translation can be obtained.
» Restrictions on Trading
Yes, specified groups, which include for example, banking, insurance, financial services, consumer credit related services and employment agencies.
» Powers of a Company
A Company incorporated in the Netherlands has the same powers as a natural person.
» Language of Legislation and Corporate Documents
Dutch.
» Registered Office Required
Yes, must be maintained in the Netherlands.
» Shelf Companies Available
YES.
» Time to Incorporate
2-3 weeks.
» Name Restrictions
A name that is similar to or identical to an existing company. A well-known name that is known to exist elsewhere. A name that implies illegal activities. A name, which in the opinion of the Registrar is considered undesirable, obscene or offensive. A name that implies royal or government patronage.
» Language of Name
The name of the company can be expressed in any language using the Latin alphabet. The Registrar may request a Dutch or English translation to ensure that the proposed name does not contravene name restrictions.
» Names Requiring Consent or a Licence
Bank, building society, savings, loans, insurance, assurance, reinsurance, fund management, investment fund, trust, trustees, Chamber of Commerce, co-operation, council, municipal or their foreign language equivalents or any name in English or a foreign language that may suggest association with the banking or insurance industries.
» Suffixes to Denote Limited Liability
Besloten Vennootschap (BV)
» Disclosure of Beneficial Ownership to Authorities
No, although if the company has a single shareholder this is a matter of public record.
Compliance
» Authorised and Issued Share Capital
The minimum authorised share capital is Euro 90,000 of which 20% (Euro 18,000) must be issued and fully paid.
There is a bill to revise the paid up share capital before the Upper House of Parliament as of 2010.
» Classes of Shares Permitted
Registered shares with restrictions on their transferability.
» Taxation
Taxation is paid by companies in the Netherlands based upon annual accounts, which are submitted to the Dutch tax authorities at the end of the company’s financial year. A company is free to choose its own year-end.
Corporate Tax Rates are:
20% for taxable income up to €200,000
25.5% for taxable income in excess of €200,000
Dividends are subject to withholding tax at 15%.
» Double Taxation Agreements
The Netherlands is party to more than 100 double tax treaties.
» Licence Fees
None.
» Annual Return
An Annual Return which provides details of those who have held shares throughout the year and the current directors must be filed each year.
» Financial Statements Required
All Dutch companies are required to file accounts with the Chamber of Commerce. There is a requirement for Dutch private limited companies to be audited if it meets two of the following three requirements;