How long does it take to set up a company in the Netherlands?

One of the first questions investors ask when they decide to set up a company in the Netherlands is how long it will take. You may have seen phrases like “form your BV in one day”, and it is true that signing the notarial deed can fit into a single day. But getting the company genuinely up and running, with its KVK registration, tax numbers and a bank account, is usually a process measured in weeks.

This article walks through the process step by step, gives a realistic duration for each stage, explains what tends to cause delays and shows which preparations shorten the timeline. All durations are ranges: every file is different, and some steps run on the calendar of the notary, KVK or the bank rather than ours.

The process step by step

Intro call and structure decision. In a free 15-minute intro call we listen to your goals, outline the documents you will need and discuss which route fits. Then comes the structure decision: a single BV, or a holding plus operating BV? We cover that question in detail in BV or holding?. A structure analysis report typically takes 1–2 weeks; if your mind is already made up, this step shrinks to a few days.

Preparing the documents. Shareholders and directors need identity and proof-of-address documents. If the shareholder is a company in Türkiye, its trade registry extract, signatory circular and certificate of activity are also required. Sworn translations and apostilles are arranged in Türkiye. Together they usually take 1–3 weeks, which makes this the most time-consuming preparation step.

Notarial deed. You do not have to travel to the Netherlands: with an apostilled power of attorney, the deed can be signed on your behalf. The notary prepares the draft, obtains your approval and executes the deed. The notary fee is roughly € 1,050. With complete documents this step takes 1–2 weeks.

KVK and UBO registration. The notary registers the company with KVK together with the deed; the KVK registration fee is € 85. The ultimate beneficial owners are filed in the UBO register at the same time. This is completed within a few days.

Tax numbers. After KVK registration the Belastingdienst (the Dutch tax authority) issues the corporate income tax and BTW (VAT) numbers. In a standard case this takes a few weeks; for some files the tax authority asks follow-up questions and the wait grows.

Bank account. This is the slowest step of all. For companies with foreign shareholders, banks run a detailed know-your-customer (KYC) review that can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months. The decision is the bank’s; we support you by preparing a complete file.

What slows things down

In our experience most delays come from a handful of recurring causes:

• A missing or incorrect apostille, especially one attached to the wrong document.
• Names and addresses in translations that do not match the passport exactly.
• A late structure decision, which sends the notary draft back to square one.
• A multi-layered shareholder company in Türkiye, which makes documenting the UBOs harder.
• Missing source-of-funds documents when the bank application is submitted.
• Seasonal backlogs at the notary, KVK and banks around summer and year end.

How to speed things up

Part of the timeline belongs to the institutions, but the steps on your side can be accelerated:

• Settle the document list in the first conversation and start apostilles and translations immediately.
• Run the document process in Türkiye in parallel with the notary draft rather than one after the other.
• Choose the power-of-attorney route for the deed so you do not need to plan travel.
• Collect bank statements and company records showing where the capital comes from at the very start.
• If you plan to relocate, plan the kennismigrant or other permit application alongside the formation; see our immigration and permits page.

A sample week-by-week overview

The overview below shows a typical file where documents move along steadily. It is a guide, not a commitment:

• Week 1: Intro call, structure decision, document list shared.
• Weeks 1–3: Document collection in Türkiye, sworn translation and apostille; notary draft in parallel.
• Weeks 3–4: Deed by power of attorney, KVK and UBO registration.
• Weeks 4–6: Tax numbers arrive; bank application submitted.
• Weeks 5–10 and beyond: Bank review and account opening.

In short: with documents ready, the company is registered and has its tax numbers within 4–6 weeks; a fully operational setup including the bank account usually takes 2–3 months. The cost side is covered in the real cost of setting up a Dutch BV, and the package contents on our pricing page.

Conclusion

Setting up a company in the Netherlands is more than the day at the notary; documents, registrations, tax numbers and the bank account together form one process. With a well-prepared file that process becomes largely predictable. To map out your own timeline, we are glad to listen to your situation in a free 15-minute intro call.