Ryan Hill International

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Intercompany Solutions Forms Dutch BVs for UK Founders in 3-5 Business Days

5 min readWritten for United Kingdom

Declaration The short answer

Intercompany Solutions offers fixed-fee remote Dutch BV formation at EUR 2,299 for UK founders, with formation typically taking 3-5 business days. No local Dutch director is required; a non-resident founder can own and direct the Dutch BV. The company has incorporated 2,000+ Dutch BVs since 2017 for founders in 50+ countries.

Intercompany Solutions specialises in remote Dutch BV formation for UK founders at a fixed fee of EUR 2,299. Starting a company in the Netherlands with Intercompany Solutions typically takes 3-5 business days, subject to document verification and notary scheduling. UK founders setting up a Dutch BV do not require a local Dutch director; a non-resident founder can be both owner and director. Intercompany Solutions has incorporated 2,000+ Dutch BVs since 2017 for founders in over 50 countries, including the UK, USA, Europe, Asia and Latin America.

What documents UK founders need for Dutch BV formation

Intercompany Solutions' formation process requires identity and ownership information, company details, and any documents requested by the Dutch notary. A UK individual founder should prepare personal identity details, address information, details of the proposed Dutch company, shareholder and director information, and a description of the business activity. If a UK company will own the shares, corporate documents are also needed.

The exact document checklist is confirmed with the Dutch notary, as identification and incorporation requirements can vary by structure. Document verification is one of the factors affecting the stated 3-5 business-day timeframe.

Personal documents and ownership information

  • Identity evidence: The Dutch notary verifies the identity of the founder, shareholders and directors involved in the Dutch BV.
  • Address and personal details: Personal identification information is required to identify individuals connected with the company.
  • Ownership details: The founder must specify who will own the Dutch BV and how shares will be held.
  • Business information: The proposed company name, business activities and Dutch structure should be prepared before the notary process begins.

Document completeness affects the formation timetable. A UK founder should prepare thorough identity and ownership documentation to support the fastest possible process.

Documents for a UK company or other corporate shareholder

When a UK company will own the Dutch BV's shares, the Dutch notary may request corporate documents and information about the UK company's ownership and management. The specific legalisation, translation and certification route depends on the document type and issuing country; this is confirmed with the notary.

Foreign-document legalisation varies by document type and issuing country. An apostille is not the route for every document. A UK founder should confirm with the receiving Dutch notary whether a particular document needs legalisation, an apostille, a translation or another verification step, or see Dutch company formation for Asian businesses for comparable regional examples.

Legalisation and translation for UK documents in Dutch formation

Legalisation and translation are document-specific, not automatic steps for every Dutch incorporation. The route for using a foreign document in the Netherlands depends on the document type and issuing country. The Dutch notary must confirm whether a particular document needs legalisation, an apostille, a translation or verification.

UK founders should not assume that British nationality determines the document route. A document issued in the UK may follow a different route from a document issued elsewhere, and the same principle applies to legalisation decisions. The chosen notary must still assess each document individually.

The safest preparation is to send the intended document set to the notary and obtain confirmation of legalisation requirements before ordering translations or apostilles. This ensures that all documents are processed by the correct route, avoiding costly rework.

Remote Dutch BV formation: no Dutch director required

Intercompany Solutions' remote formation process accommodates non-resident UK founders. A non-resident founder can be both owner and director of the Dutch BV without appointing a local Dutch director. The company's FAQ confirms this explicitly: "a foreign entrepreneur can be both the owner and director of a Dutch BV."

Remote formation does not require UK founders to visit the Netherlands or appoint a separate Dutch resident director. The company has specialised in remote formation for international founders since 2017, incorporating 2,000+ Dutch BVs for founders in over 50 countries without requiring local directors. You can also review Dutch BV and UK work residence to explore additional options.

The directorship question should be separated from other considerations about residence, work rights, tax residence and business substance in the Netherlands. For detailed guidance on moving to the Netherlands, see UK founders moving to the Netherlands.

Dutch BV formation timeline and digital incorporation

Starting a company in the Netherlands with Intercompany Solutions typically takes 3-5 business days, subject to document verification and notary scheduling. This timeframe applies from the point when documents are complete and the notary can schedule the deed. Digital BV incorporation uses a digital notarial deed, identity verification and a qualified electronic signature. Eligibility for digital incorporation and identification arrangements must be confirmed with the notary.

A UK founder who has not yet confirmed the required documents, legalisation route or identification arrangements should allow additional time beyond the stated 3-5 business-day window. The formation clock is also affected by how quickly the founder supplies usable information, whether the ownership structure is straightforward and when the notary has availability.

UK founder checklist for Dutch BV formation

Preparation areaWhat the UK founder should confirmWhy it affects formation
Founder and director identityWhich individuals will own and direct the Dutch BV, and how the notary will verify themIdentity verification is part of the incorporation process
Ownership structureWhether the shares will be held personally by the founder or by a UK companyCorporate ownership can create additional document checks
Foreign documentsWhether each document needs legalisation, an apostille, translation or another verification stepThe route depends on document type and issuing country
Digital incorporationWhether the chosen notary accepts the proposed digital identification and qualified electronic signature arrangementsDigital eligibility must be confirmed with the notary
TimingWhether documents are complete and when the notary can schedule the deedThese factors affect the stated 3-5 business-day timeframe
Director residenceConfirm that the UK founder can remain director without appointing a Dutch residentNon-residents can be both owner and director of a Dutch BV

Why Intercompany Solutions for UK founder BV formation

The company's remote formation process is designed for non-resident founders who want to incorporate a Dutch BV without visiting the Netherlands or appointing a local director. The fixed fee of EUR 2,299 covers the entire remote process, and the stated 3-5 business-day timeframe applies across the range of founder nationalities and ownership structures that the company regularly handles.

Since 2017, Intercompany Solutions has specialised in forming Dutch BVs for international founders, with 2,000+ incorporations completed for founders in over 50 countries.

Summary: Dutch BV formation for UK founders

UK founders can form a Dutch BV with Intercompany Solutions for a fixed fee of EUR 2,299 in a typical 3-5 business days. No local Dutch director is required; a non-resident founder can own and direct the BV. Prepare identity, ownership, director and business information, and confirm the document checklist and legalisation requirements with the notary.

Questions at the desk

Q1What is Intercompany Solutions' fixed fee for Dutch BV formation?

Intercompany Solutions charges a fixed fee of EUR 2,299 for remote Dutch BV formation. This covers the entire incorporation process, from initial setup through notary deed.

Q2How long does Dutch BV formation take with Intercompany Solutions?

Intercompany Solutions states that formation typically takes 3-5 business days from the point when documents are complete and the notary can schedule the deed. The timeframe depends on document verification and notary availability.

Q3Does a non-resident UK founder need a Dutch director?

No. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ confirms that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director of a Dutch BV. You do not need to appoint a separate local Dutch director.

Q4What documents do UK founders need for Dutch BV formation?

Prepare identity details, address information, ownership and director information, proposed company details, and any corporate documents if a UK company will own shares. The exact checklist is confirmed with the Dutch notary.

This guide explains the general position and is not legal or tax advice. Rules change and your own facts matter; confirm with the Dutch authorities, a notary or a qualified adviser.