Starting a Dutch BV as a Foreigner: The Address Problem, Solved

Why founders from around the world choose the Dutch BV

The besloten vennootschap — the Dutch BV — offers limited liability, is recognised by every major bank and tax authority on the continent, and gives you a foothold in the EU single market. It can be set up by a non-resident with no Dutch citizenship, no Dutch residency, and no prior presence in the country.

What it does require is a real Dutch registered address. For most international founders, that is the hardest part to solve.

The core requirements for a Dutch BV

To incorporate a BV, you need:

• A minimum share capital of €0.01. The old €18,000 requirement was abolished in 2012. A symbolic one-cent contribution is enough.
• At least one shareholder and one director. Both can be the same person. Both can be foreign nationals.
• A Dutch civil-law notary (notaris). Incorporation happens through a notarial deed in the Netherlands.
• A registered office in the Netherlands. The address where your BV is officially based.
• A KvK registration. Automatically handled through the notary.

No Dutch citizenship required. No Dutch residency required. You do not even need to visit the Netherlands — most notaries can work remotely or via legalised power of attorney.

The address problem

The registered office is where international founders usually hit a wall. You need a real Dutch address — not a PO box, not a residential apartment, not a coworking hot desk. It needs to:

• Be a staffed, physical location.
• Accept official correspondence on your behalf.
• Come with a signed domicile agreement that your notary and the KvK will accept.
• Be taken seriously by Dutch banks when you open your business account.

Buying or renting office space before you have a business makes no sense. A virtual office does.

What a virtual office does for your BV

A virtual office provides everything the KvK, your notary and your bank require — without forcing you to pay for empty square metres. At Postley, you get:

• A registered business address at one of seven premium Co-Office locations in Amsterdam.
• A signed domicile agreement in your inbox within 24 hours.
• Mail received on the same day, scanned and forwarded to you digitally.
• Full compliance with the KvK, the Belastingdienst, and every major Dutch bank.

From €79 per month. No setup fees. No long-term commitment.

Timeline: from decision to active BV

Here is a realistic schedule for an international founder setting up a BV in Amsterdam.

• Day 1. Choose your Postley address. Submit your documents.
• Day 2. Your signed Postley agreement arrives. You contact a Dutch notary and send them the agreement, your ID, and your draft articles of association.
• Day 3–10. Notary prepares the deed of incorporation. If you are working remotely, you sign a legalised power of attorney.
• Day 10–14. Notarial deed signed. The notary registers your BV at the KvK the same day.
• Day 14. You receive your KvK number. Your BTW (VAT) number follows within 1–2 weeks from the Belastingdienst.
• Day 14–30. Open your Dutch business bank account using your KvK extract and Postley address.

From first enquiry to fully operational: two to four weeks.

What it costs

A rough cost breakdown for incorporating a Dutch BV as a foreigner:

• Notary fees: €500–€1,500 (one-off)
• KvK registration: €82.25 (one-off)
• Postley virtual office: from €79/month
• Accountant (optional, recommended): €100–€250/month

Your total first-year investment sits between €2,000 and €5,000 — before any operational costs.

Tax implications at a glance

A Dutch BV pays corporate income tax (vennootschapsbelasting) on its worldwide profits:

• 19% on the first €200,000 of annual profit.
• 25.8% above that.

Dividends paid to shareholders are subject to a 15% withholding tax, often reduced by double-taxation treaties. Speak to a Dutch accountant before incorporation — they will help you structure the BV in the most efficient way for your specific situation and country of tax residence.

Common questions

Can I be the sole director of my Dutch BV if I live abroad? Yes. There is no residency requirement for directors.

Do I need to speak Dutch? No. Most notaries and accountants work in English. Official documents can be bilingual.

Can I use the Postley address on my website and invoices? Yes. Your Postley address is your registered address. It appears on your KvK extract, your invoices, your contracts, everywhere.

What happens if I need to change my address later? You can update your registered address at the KvK at any time. No fees.