Set up a BV: and get the bookkeeping sorted afterwards
The deed itself is executed by the notary - that is not our work. Everything that follows is: the opening balance sheet, the tax returns, the DGA salary and the annual accounts (jaarrekening), all for one fixed monthly fee.
What you can expect from us
- One fixed monthly fee, excl. VAT - no additional billing afterwards
- VAT (btw), corporate income tax and filing deadlines monitored
- One dedicated contact person with board-level experience
- We arrange the switch with your current firm
Sorted in 3 steps
You request a quote
You tell us what your BV looks like: holding company or not, number of invoices, payslips. Within one working day you have a fixed monthly fee.
We collect the records
Agreed? Then we contact your current firm and arrange the handover. All you do is give your approval, nothing else.
Your bookkeeping keeps running
From that moment on we monitor the tax returns and the filing with the Chamber of Commerce. You always speak to the same finance professional and know every month what you pay.
Setting up a BV, the Business Register and what comes next
A BV (besloten vennootschap) is the Dutch private limited company: a separate legal entity with its own equity, its own liability and its own tax return. It is not an LLC and not an S-corp, so do not assume the rules you know from home apply here. The shares are not traded on a stock exchange; they stay with the shareholders you choose, and one shareholder is enough. As the director-shareholder (DGA, directeur-grootaandeelhouder) you are employed by your own BV and draw a salary from it. Read our explanation of what a BV is and the key terms.
The BV itself is incorporated by a civil-law notary. The notary drafts and passes the deed of incorporation; without that notarial deed the BV does not exist. We do not incorporate BVs and we do not pass deeds. The notary then registers your company in the Dutch Business Register (Handelsregister), the register kept by the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) and the Dutch equivalent of Companies House. You receive a KVK number, and the tax authority (Belastingdienst) sends your VAT number (btw-identificatienummer) and your corporate income tax number separately, which can take a few days. Your entry is public: anyone can look up a Dutch company by name or KVK number on kvk.nl and see the address, legal form and directors free of charge. From the date of incorporation the obligations start running: the financial administration, quarterly VAT returns (due within one month of the end of the quarter), the corporate income tax return (vennootschapsbelasting, VPB), payroll for the DGA, and filing the annual accounts with the KVK within twelve months of the end of the financial year. Dutch fines are automatic, so we watch every deadline for you. That is exactly the work Nummerix does.
Setting up a BV without start-up capital is possible in the Netherlands. Since 2012 there is no longer a minimum capital requirement of 18,000 euros; you can start a BV with a share capital of one euro. In practice your BV does need working capital to operate, but the threshold for incorporation has disappeared. Read more about the costs of a BV: incorporation and recurring annual costs, so you know what to take into account.
Choosing a BV is not automatically the sensible option for everyone. The advantages and disadvantages of a BV depend heavily on your profit, your personal situation and your plans for the future. Broadly speaking, a BV becomes more attractive for tax purposes as profit rises, and for many entrepreneurs the limited liability and the option to keep capital inside the structure are decisive. But there are downsides too: higher administrative obligations, the requirement to pay a market-level DGA salary and extra costs for incorporation and annual administration. The trade-off is personal; for advice on your specific situation we invite you for a no-obligation conversation.
Do you want to set up a BV with two people? That is possible. You can divide the shares as you wish, for example 50/50 or in another ratio. Each shareholder can also be a director. It is wise to record the mutual arrangements in a shareholders' agreement; you do that together with the notary. As far as the bookkeeping and tax returns are concerned, little changes for Nummerix: we handle the BV's administration regardless of how many shareholders there are. You can read more about the internal structure of a BV, the role of shares and the division of management on our page about the BV structure: holding company, shares and management.
Many owners put a personal holding BV above an operating BV. That keeps assets out of the trading company and gives you more room in how profit is distributed. It also doubles the paperwork: each BV files its own tax return and its own annual accounts. Splitting afterwards costs more than doing it right at incorporation, so decide before the notary passes the deed. Whether it pays off depends on your situation, so book a free intake call if you are not sure. We handle bookkeeping for a holding and operating company as one assignment, and our page on the BV structure: holding company, shares and management explains the set-up.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does setting up a BV cost at the notary?
In 2026 the notary fees for setting up a BV are usually between 500 and 1,500 euros excl. VAT, depending on the notary and the complexity of the structure. On top of that come the registration fees at the Chamber of Commerce. We are not a notary and do not carry out incorporations; for an accurate quotation you contact a notary of your choice. A full overview of all costs around a BV, including the recurring annual costs for bookkeeping and tax returns, can be found on our page about the costs of a BV.
Can I set up a BV if I do not live in the Netherlands?
Yes. You do not have to live here, speak Dutch or fly over. Many notaries pass the deed of incorporation remotely, through video identification or a power of attorney; the notary decides which proof of identity is required and sets their own fee. A Dutch notary remains a legal requirement. After incorporation we handle your bookkeeping, tax returns and annual accounts entirely remotely and in English, so you never need to visit our office either.
How much share capital do I need to set up a BV?
In the Netherlands there is no longer a minimum capital requirement for a BV. You can set up a BV with a share capital of one euro. In practice your BV does need enough working capital to operate, but the legal threshold for incorporation is very low. Your notary can advise you on the most practical share capital for your situation.
What is the difference between a BV and a sole proprietorship?
The main difference lies in liability and taxation. With a sole proprietorship you are personally liable for all the debts of the business; with a BV liability is in principle limited to the assets of the BV itself. For tax purposes a BV pays corporate income tax (VPB) on its profit; as the DGA you pay income tax on your salary and, where applicable, substantial-interest tax on any dividend paid out. The trade-off depends heavily on your profit level and personal situation. Read more about the advantages and disadvantages of a BV or schedule a free introductory call if you want to know what makes sense for your situation.
Can I convert my sole proprietorship into a BV and outsource the bookkeeping straight away?
Yes, that is exactly why many of our clients come to us. We guide the conversion process, the tax-driven contribution in which your sole proprietorship is converted into a BV, and make sure the bookkeeping of the new BV is set up properly from the start. That way you do not have to arrange anything yourself after incorporation. Request a no-obligation quote and within one working day you know what the fixed monthly fee for your situation will be.
What does Nummerix do after my BV has been set up?
As soon as your BV is registered with the Chamber of Commerce, we take over the full bookkeeping: financial administration, quarterly VAT returns, the corporate income tax return, the payroll administration for you as DGA and any employees, and preparing and filing the annual accounts. You have one dedicated contact person who monitors all deadlines. We agree a fixed monthly fee excl. VAT in advance; there are no extra invoices afterwards.