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Launch Your Netherlands Holding Company
EU Credibility, Treaty Power, and Tax Efficiency
Set up a Netherlands holding company with Orbit. We coordinate notarial incorporation, substance setup, and annual tax and governance compliance — delivering a globally respected EU platform with world-class treaty access and the powerful Dutch participation exemption.
Quick facts
| Feature | Value | Why it matters | |
| Best for | EU-centric holding company, private equity platforms, multinational groups | Premier EU credibility | |
| Setup speed | ~5–10 business days (notary deed) | Predictable process | |
| Minimum share capital | ~EUR 0.01 (B.V.) | Very low capital | |
| Local director needed | Not by law (but substance is expected) | Needed for treaty benefits | |
| Company secretary | No | Lower admin | |
| Registered office | Yes | Needed for filings & substance | |
| Corporate income tax | 19% to ~EUR 200k; 25.8% above | Headline rates | |
| Capital gains tax on shares | Exempt under participation exemption | Efficient exits | |
| Withholding tax on dividends (outbound) | 15% (often reduced/exempt via treaties/EU rules) | Plan to minimize leakage | |
| Participation exemption | Dividends & capital gains (if tests met) | Core HoldCo benefit | |
| VAT | 21% standard | Register if taxable | |
| Audit | Threshold-based | Adds cost if medium/large | |
| Treaty network | ~100+ treaties | Strong global relief | |
| Banking ease | Strong | EU banking hub |
Key Considerations
- Participation exemption is central: Dividends and capital gains from qualifying subsidiaries are fully exempt from corporate tax if ownership ≥5% and conditions are met.
- To benefit, companies need sufficient local substance (board presence, office, director, decision-making in the Netherlands).
- Dividends WHT (15%) can be reduced or eliminated under EU directives or tax treaties, subject to anti-abuse tests.
- Tax residency certificate (TRC) issued when management and control are demonstrably in the Netherlands.
- Audit required for medium/large companies; small entities can file abbreviated accounts.
- Notarial incorporation required for B.V. (Besloten Vennootschap) via a Dutch civil law notary.
Cost snapshot (USD)
| Cost item | One-time setup | Annual ongoing | |
| Incorporation (notary + filings) | 1,200 – 2,500 | – | |
| Local director (non-exec) | – | 2,000 – 4,000 | |
| Registered office | – | 3,000 – 8,000 | |
| Accounting & bookkeeping | – | 1,000 – 2,000 | |
| Corporate income tax filing (via tax agent) | – | 1,000 – 2,000 | |
| Audit (only if required) | – | 2,000 – 5,000 | |
| Estimated total | 1000 – 2000 | 4,000 – 8,000 / year |
Pricing varies by size, substance, and reporting scope.
Why Netherlands works for holding companies
The Netherlands is a top-tier EU jurisdiction known for reliability, investor confidence, and exceptional treaty access. It offers:
Tax Regime for Holding Companies
- Corporate income tax: 19% up to ~EUR 200,000; 25.8% above.
- Participation exemption: Exempts dividends and capital gains from qualifying subsidiaries (≥5% ownership, non-portfolio, and subject-to-tax test).
- Withholding tax on dividends: 15% statutory, reduced/exempt under treaties or EU directives with sufficient substance.
- Capital gains tax: None on qualifying share disposals.
- Interest/royalty WHT: Targeted anti-abuse rules may apply in low-tax or artificial arrangements.
- Tax residency certificate: Granted when mind-and-management are demonstrably in the Netherlands.
Orbit delivers a complete substance package: registered office, resident director(s), meeting documentation, and annual governance support.
What you get with Orbit
Pre-incorporation planning
Structure design, participation exemption validation, treaty mapping.
Incorporation
Notary coordination, registration, and Chamber of Commerce filings.
Substance & governance
Local director, board meetings, minutes, and ongoing oversight.
Accounting & compliance
Bookkeeping, management accounts, and annual CIT filings.
Residency & treaty filings
Tax residency certificate (TRC) and treaty documentation support.
Audit coordination
For medium/large entities with mandatory reporting.
How the process works
Orbit coordinates notary work through a local partner, secures a registered office, arranges director and board support for substance, and sets up bookkeeping and compliance.
