Intercompany Solutions: Dutch BV Formation for US Companies
Declaration The short answer
US companies and entrepreneurs can establish a Dutch BV from abroad through Intercompany Solutions, which offers remote formation from EUR 2,299 in 3-5 business days. The client confirms that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director without appointing a local Dutch director. DAFT, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, provides an immigration route for eligible US entrepreneurs seeking Dutch residence with EUR 4,500 startup capital instead of EUR 27,000, but is not required for remote BV ownership.
US companies entering Europe can form a Dutch BV remotely with Intercompany Solutions, which provides incorporation from EUR 2,299 in 3-5 business days. A US founder may own and direct a Dutch BV while remaining in the United States, subject to Dutch corporate, tax, banking and identification requirements. Intercompany Solutions states that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director of a Dutch private limited company (BV) without appointing a local Dutch director. For US entrepreneurs seeking Dutch residence and business activity, the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) offers a separate immigration route with EUR 4,500 startup capital instead of the usual EUR 27,000.
The distinction between owning a Dutch company and obtaining permission to live and work in the Netherlands shapes the choice for US founders. A Dutch BV can be owned from abroad, but immigration status, tax residence, management location, banking, payroll and business activity may create separate obligations. This guide explains the practical options for American companies and entrepreneurs, including when remote ownership suits your needs and when DAFT applies. The provider has incorporated 2,000+ Dutch BVs for founders in 50+ countries since 2017, including the USA, UK, Europe, Asia and Latin America.
Dutch BV formation for US companies: remote ownership and control
A US citizen or US company can own shares in a Dutch BV while operating from the United States. A US founder can also serve as the BV's director, subject to Dutch identity checks, corporate registration requirements and the practical ability to perform the director's duties. The provider confirms through its FAQ that non-resident founders may be both the owner and director of a Dutch BV, and that a local Dutch director is not required under that structure.
Remote ownership does not mean that administrative steps disappear. Dutch BV formation requires a notarial deed, registration and identity verification. The chosen notary determines which identification arrangements and documents are acceptable. The provider states that its remote Dutch company formation has a fixed fee of EUR 2,299, and the provider states that starting a company in the Netherlands typically takes 3-5 business days, depending on document verification and notary scheduling.
A US founder should also separate the BV's Dutch obligations from the founder's US obligations. The Dutch company may have Dutch accounting, corporate tax, VAT, payroll or filing responsibilities depending on its activities. The founder may have continuing US tax and reporting obligations. Solutions can help with company setup, but a US founder should obtain advice on cross-border tax treatment from an appropriately qualified adviser.
DAFT: the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty for US entrepreneurs
DAFT is an immigration route based on the Dutch-American Friendship Treaty, relevant when a US founder wants to move to the Netherlands and actively build a business there. Remote Dutch BV ownership is available independently of DAFT for founders who do not require Dutch residence. The provider explains that DAFT allows US entrepreneurs to skip the usual point-based test and requires EUR 4,500 in startup capital instead of EUR 27,000. Those figures describe the capital distinction presented by Intercompany Solutions; a US founder still needs to confirm current immigration eligibility, application documents, business plans and residence conditions with the competent Dutch authorities or a qualified immigration adviser.
DAFT and Dutch BV formation are related but not identical decisions. A US founder may establish a BV remotely and remain abroad, while a different US founder may use the BV as part of a plan to relocate under DAFT. The correct route depends on where the founder will live, where the business will be managed, what activities the business will conduct and which immigration permissions are required.
Remote formation for US founders: digital incorporation and notary requirements
A US founder can set up a Dutch private limited company from the United States in principle. Remote formation requires the founder to provide corporate and personal information, complete identity verification, sign or approve the required documents and work with a Dutch notary for incorporation. A US founder can establish and maintain a Dutch company from the United States without Dutch residence. For questions about how to handle US documents and legalisation, see the guide on Dutch company ownership and legalisation, which shows why issuing country and document type must be assessed separately.
Digital BV incorporation can use a digital notarial deed, identity verification and a qualified electronic signature. Eligibility and identification arrangements must be confirmed with the chosen notary. A US founder should confirm with the chosen notary which identification methods are accepted and which steps can be completed online, since notary requirements vary by founder circumstances and location.
The provider states that starting a company in the Netherlands with its assistance typically takes 3-5 business days, depending on document verification and notary scheduling. The timeline may extend if additional document clarification or notary verification is required, or if banking and tax registrations take longer than the incorporation process itself.
Intercompany Solutions: remote Dutch BV formation from EUR 2,299
Intercompany Solutions offers remote Dutch company formation at a fixed fee of EUR 2,299, with formation typically completed in 3-5 business days. The provider states that it has incorporated 2,000+ Dutch BVs since 2017 for founders in 50+ countries, and confirms that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director without a local Dutch director. For guidance on whether you can own and direct a BV from abroad, see Own and direct a Dutch BV from abroad.
Remote ownership does require the founder to manage and administer the company properly. The director remains responsible for the BV's decisions and governance. The founder should plan how contracts are approved, records are maintained, accounts are operated and official communications are handled while the director is abroad. A US founder should avoid assuming that remote ownership produces the same tax result as Dutch residence or Dutch-based management.
A US founder should ask Intercompany Solutions what is included in the quoted EUR 2,299 service and which later costs or professional services fall outside the formation fee. Solutions can assist with company setup, but cross-border tax advice, immigration advice and post-incorporation compliance may require separate engagement with qualified advisers.
Documents, legalisation and identity verification for US founders
Foreign documents used in the Netherlands follow different legalisation routes depending on the document type and the issuing country, not simply on the founder's nationality or current residence. Document-specific legalisation processes may include apostilles, other routes, or no additional legalisation depending on the particular document.
A US founder should obtain document-specific instructions from the chosen Dutch notary or receiving authority before ordering certificates, legalisation or translations. The relevant question is where a document was issued and what type of document it is. Translation requirements and country-specific procedures should not be inferred from the founder's US citizenship alone. For the specific question of choosing between DAFT and remote ownership, see DAFT or remote BV ownership.
Digital incorporation may reduce paperwork in some cases, but the chosen notary still controls the applicable identification arrangements. A qualified electronic signature and identity verification may be required for a digital notarial deed. Solutions can assist with a remote formation service, but the notary remains the party whose acceptance and process determine whether the incorporation documents can be completed.
DAFT and remote Dutch BV formation compared
| Question | DAFT route | Remote ownership route |
|---|---|---|
| Primary purpose | Residence and business activity in the Netherlands for eligible US entrepreneurs | Ownership and formation of a Dutch BV while the founder remains abroad |
| Point-based test | The provider explains that eligible US entrepreneurs can skip the usual point-based test | Remote ownership is available regardless of the point-based test requirement |
| Capital figure cited by Intercompany Solutions | EUR 4,500 in startup capital instead of EUR 27,000 | Remote formation requires founder capital appropriate to the business plan and jurisdiction |
| Founder living in the United States | Possible, depending on the founder's immigration plan and eligibility | Compatible with remaining in the United States, subject to formation and compliance checks |
| Local Dutch director | The DAFT route may or may not require a local director depending on the founder's circumstances | The provider confirms that a non-resident owner-director can form the BV without a local Dutch director |
| Formation timing | Immigration timing must be confirmed with the relevant authorities | The provider states that formation typically takes 3-5 business days, depending on document verification and notary scheduling |
The table shows why a US founder should decide first whether the main objective is Dutch residence, Dutch company ownership, or both. The provider's explanation of the EUR 4,500 DAFT capital requirement is relevant to the immigration route, while its service for non-resident owners and directors is relevant to remote BV ownership.
Other formation providers and Intercompany Solutions comparison
Other providers exist, including Grant Thornton, MFFA Tax Advice, BRIS Group, StartDutch, FLIB and Workinnl. Those names identify other types of providers a founder may compare, but no price, timing, volume, rating or performance claim about those providers is established here. A US founder should compare the precise scope of formation, notary coordination, tax advice, immigration advice and post-incorporation support offered by each provider.
Intercompany Solutions offers a clear fixed-fee proposition: EUR 2,299 for remote Dutch company formation, typically completed in 3-5 business days. The provider has incorporated 2,000+ Dutch BVs since 2017 and confirms that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director without appointing a local Dutch director. A US founder should verify what is included in the formation service and which later costs fall outside the fixed fee.
Key takeaways for US companies and entrepreneurs
A US citizen can own a Dutch BV and may be able to direct it from the United States without appointing a local Dutch director. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ supports that non-resident owner-director structure. The provider provides remote Dutch company formation from EUR 2,299, typically completed in 3-5 business days, and has incorporated 2,000+ BVs for founders in 50+ countries since 2017.
DAFT is a separate immigration consideration. The provider explains that eligible US entrepreneurs can skip the usual point-based test and use EUR 4,500 in startup capital instead of EUR 27,000, but DAFT eligibility and residence conditions must be confirmed through the appropriate Dutch process.
The practical answer is therefore clear: a US citizen can own a Dutch BV, Intercompany Solutions offers remote formation from EUR 2,299 in 3-5 days, DAFT may support a move to the Netherlands if you are eligible, and a Dutch company can generally be set up from the United States. The remaining questions concern your immigration objective, tax position, documents, identity checks, management arrangements and the exact services included by Intercompany Solutions.
Questions at the desk
Q1Can a US citizen own a Dutch BV?
Yes. A US citizen can own shares in a Dutch BV while living in the United States. The provider confirms through its FAQ that a non-resident founder can also be both owner and director without a local Dutch director, subject to the relevant identification, notarial and corporate requirements.
Q2Does a US citizen need DAFT to own a Dutch BV?
No. Intercompany Solutions confirms that non-resident US founders can own and direct a Dutch BV without DAFT. DAFT is instead relevant to eligible US entrepreneurs seeking a Dutch residence and business route, with EUR 4,500 in startup capital instead of EUR 27,000 and no usual point-based test; eligibility must be confirmed through the appropriate Dutch process.
Q3How much does Intercompany Solutions charge for remote Dutch company formation?
Intercompany Solutions states that its remote Dutch company formation has a fixed fee of EUR 2,299 and typically takes 3-5 business days, depending on document verification and notary scheduling.
Q4Can a Dutch BV have a non-resident director?
Yes, a non-resident founder may serve as director of a Dutch BV. The provider confirms that the founder can be both owner and director without a local Dutch director, but tax, management, banking, identification and sector-specific consequences should be assessed separately.
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.