Entering the Dutch market

One important part of your business plan would be: to determine your (best) market entry strategy into the Netherlands.

Should you start with the establishment of a sales office, or does it make more sense to start a fully operational office? Perhaps you are planning to start an NGO in the Netherlands, without any aim to make a profit at all. Or do you need/want to relocate your activities to the Netherlands due to Brexit?

Do you need a local legal entity, or can you suffice with the application of a local VAT number, or employer registration? Obviously, you like to avoid bureaucracy where possible, and you like to start your Dutch operations as smooth as possible. 

Based on your situation, our Launch Team can assist you to make the right decision.

Each company is different, and unique in its own ways. In fact, your own business looks different every year, and the way you expand your business to a new country, such as the Netherlands, will also depend on the goals that you have set to achieve in the jurisdiction. You might be planning to expand your business and increase sales. Or you want to be planning to relocate your sales activities, even if it’s just on paper, to create an EU reputation for your customers.

You might be looking for talent (or to relocate your staff to the Netherlands) or simply to protect your assets in a safe Dutch bank. So although each company is unique, your requirements typically are not. We have made an overview of typical market entry scenarios so you can get familiar with the most important information, and how Bolder Launch can help you to start a Dutch business. 

• Representative office
• Dutch BV
• Brexit Startup Visa (RELATED: Brexit Scenario Planning in The Netherlands)
• Payroll Entity
• VAT/EORI registration
• Investment holding
• Logistics hub
• Non-profit/NGO

Government Support

There are several government agencies that can support you when starting your Dutch business, such as; 

• The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) provides information on creating a business plan and carrying out market research as well as other issues. They will provide you with the addresses and telephone numbers of all local offices.
• You will find information about, for example, the investment climate in the Netherlands, the sectors that offer the most opportunities and the possibilities of finding local business partners on the Holland Trade and Invest website.
• The Dutch Tax and Customs Administration offers you information about which taxes you have to pay and how to keep your accounts up to date. It is possible that you are entitled to special schemes.

Which city is best for Dutch company formation?

The most popular cities for company formation in The Netherlands are Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Amsterdam is very well known, and many types of businesses feel that it makes the most sense to start a company in the capital of The Netherlands, which also attracts the biggest number of tourists and business travellers. For more information about company formation in Amsterdam, read this guide or contact our company formation officers should you plan to visit our office in Amsterdam.

Rotterdam is more popular for company formation by industrialists and traders, who prefer to open a company close to one of the biggest ports in Europe (and of the world!).

Both Rotterdam and Amsterdam have great startup ecosystems, due to their large expat communities. But smaller cities like Breda and Utrecht are definitely catching up, and provide other advantages. If you are a high tech company, you will be attracted to cities like Delft, Eindhoven and Enschede, where renounced technical universities have an attractive effect on high-tech companies.

Learn more about entering the Dutch market on our Launch Guide or reach out to our Launch crew for a free consultation.

This guide is part of Company Formation in our Launch Guide.