Incorporation is an event; operating a business is an ongoing responsibility. Thinking through these decisions before the first conversation helps define both the scope and the route.
01 / What will you do, and for whom?
Describe the product or service, customer and supplier countries, expected transactions and the reason for establishing in the Netherlands. A coherent overview supports later discussions with institutions.
02–03 / Who owns and who manages?
Share ownership and day-to-day management are not identical. Clarify capital contributions, decision-making and representation. A BV is one structure to consider, not the automatic answer for every business.
- Ownership and contributions
- Directors and signing authority
- Decision-making and exit scenarios
04–05 / Where will you operate, and at what cost?
Consider the registered address alongside practical workspace and operations. Share capital is not the total incorporation or operating budget. Separate notarial, registration, specialist and ongoing costs.
06 / How will you explain the business to a bank?
Your plan, ownership, funding source and expected transactions may be part of the banking file. Business registration and bank acceptance are separate milestones.
07 / Where will you live and work?
The notary handles formal incorporation and registration, while your personal residence plan requires a separate assessment. Share your plans early; ownership is not the same as permission to work.
Build your preparation list.
- One-page business overview
- Ownership and management outline
- Formation and initial operating budget
- Address and operating plan
- Personal residence goals