Register a Company in The Hague: The Honest 2026 Guide

If you want to register a company in The Hague, the Dutch system will surprise you by how little it fights back: most of it is online, KVK has an office in the city, and it is done in a couple of weeks. What catches people out is the order of operations. Below: eenmanszaak or BV, the KVK steps, verified 2026 tax rates, real costs, and what you owe afterwards. This is general information, not tax advice.

Why Founders Register a Company in The Hague

The Hague is the seat of the Dutch government, the International Court of Justice and roughly two hundred international organisations. That builds a particular local economy: legal services, policy consultancy, security and justice technology, NGOs, and everyone who supplies them. If you sell into that world, being here is worth real money. The city also runs ImpactCity (impactcity.nl) for impact driven startups, with accelerator places and public sector customers.

English gets you a long way, since notaries and municipal staff deal with internationals daily. Tax letters arrive in Dutch, so lessons through preply.com pay for themselves the first time one lands. One warning before you register a company in The Hague: you must be able to register yourself at your home address, which rules out many short lets, so check the listing on housinganywhere.com or ask the landlord outright.

Eenmanszaak or BV: Pick Your Structure First

Nearly everyone who sets out to register a company in The Hague lands on one of two forms. An eenmanszaak, the sole trader, needs no notary and no capital. You are personally liable for business debts and profit is taxed as personal income. In exchange come the self employed deductions: in 2026 the zelfstandigenaftrek is 1,200 euros and first time founders add a startersaftrek of 2,123 euros, both conditional on the urencriterium of 1,225 hours a year on the business. The mkb-winstvrijstelling then exempts 12.7% of the rest.

A BV, the private limited company, is a separate legal person, so as a rule it owes the debts rather than you. It needs a notarial deed, but minimum share capital is one eurocent. The trade off is administration: a salary to yourself, corporate returns, published accounts. Many freelancers start as an eenmanszaak and convert later.

Before You Register: Address, BSN and Permits

You cannot finish a KVK registration without a citizen service number, the BSN, which you get by registering at your Hague address in the Personal Records Database. Book that with the municipality on 14070, or +31 70 353 30 00 from abroad. If you arrive as international staff of a registered employer, The Hague International Centre in the City Hall atrium at Spui 70 does registration, BSN and permit in one visit.

Non EU founders who want to register a company in The Hague need permission to work for themselves first. The IND self employed permit costs 423 euros and is scored by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency on personal experience, business plan and added value: 30 points in each area, or 45 across the first two. American and Japanese nationals have a gentler treaty route, asking for a substantial investment, generally 4,500 euros, instead of points.

How to Register a Company in The Hague, Step by Step

1. Check your trade name. Search the KVK Business Register for clashes; the name must not mislead about what you do.
2. Instruct a notary, but only for a BV. A civil law notary must draft and execute the deed. Find one through the professional body, the KNB, on 070 3307111 or info@knb.nl, and ask for a fixed fee.
3. Start online. Begin at kvk.nl and choose your legal form. You need a valid passport or ID card and your BSN.
4. Book your KVK appointment. It is finalised in person at Spaarneplein 2, 2515 VK Den Haag, Monday to Friday 08:30 to 17:00, appointment only.
5. Attend and pay. The one off fee is 85.15 euros. You leave with your KVK number and Business Register entry.
6. Wait for your tax numbers. The Belastingdienst assesses whether you count as an entrepreneur for VAT, then issues a btw-id for invoices and an omzetbelastingnummer for returns.
7. Open a business account and keep private money out of it from the first transaction.

What It Costs and How Long It Takes

The bill to register a company in The Hague is small by European standards. The state charges little; the money goes to the notary if you pick a BV. Banking is the slow part: Dutch banks run thorough identity and beneficial owner checks, and a foreign founder should expect questions rather than a rubber stamp.

Because of that lag, many founders run a second account alongside the Dutch one: wise.com for multi currency invoicing, revolut.com for cards and expenses, bunq.com for a Dutch IBAN that opens in days. None replaces a Dutch bank if you plan to borrow.

Tax and Compliance After You Register

Once you register a company in The Hague as a BV, the calendar takes over. Corporate income tax in 2026 is 19% on the first 200,000 euros of taxable profit and 25.8% above. Innovation profit covered by an S&O statement from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency falls in the innovation box at an effective 9%. As director and major shareholder you must pay yourself a customary salary, at least 58,000 euros in 2026 unless a lower figure is demonstrably normal. Dividends are taxed in box 2 at 24.5% up to 68,843 euros and 31% above.

VAT applies whichever structure you chose. The standard rate is 21%, with reduced rates of 9% and 0%, and most businesses file quarterly. If turnover stays at or below 20,000 euros you can opt into the small businesses scheme, the KOR, and charge no VAT, though you cannot then reclaim it on costs. A BV has one deadline more: annual accounts must reach KVK within eight days of adoption and within twelve months of the year end. No extension exists, and missing it can make you personally liable.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to register a company in The Hague?

With your address, BSN and documents in order you can usually register a company in The Hague in one to two weeks, because KVK finalises it in a single appointment. A BV takes longer, since the notary must execute the deed. The bank account is normally the slowest step.

Can I register a company in The Hague from abroad?

Not straightforwardly. You need a BSN and a registered address, so you register with the municipality first, and non EU nationals also need a permit allowing self employment. Ask a Dutch notary or the IND about your nationality before booking flights.

What is the Dutch corporate tax rate in 2026?

Corporate income tax is 19% on the first 200,000 euros of taxable profit and 25.8% above that. Innovation profit covered by an S&O statement from the Netherlands Enterprise Agency is taxed at an effective 9% under the innovation box.

How much does KVK registration cost?

The one off fee is 85.15 euros, paid when you finalise your Business Register entry. KVK updates it yearly for inflation, so check the figure on kvk.nl first. A BV carries a separate notary fee on top.

When do I have to register for VAT?

You do not apply separately. After KVK registration the Belastingdienst assesses whether you are an entrepreneur for VAT and sends a btw-id and an omzetbelastingnummer. If turnover is 20,000 euros or less you may opt into the small businesses scheme and charge no VAT.

Expat Essentials for The Hague

A few quick wins make settling into The Hague easier while you work through this guide. An Airalo eSIM keeps you online from the moment you land, a pre-booked Welcome Pickups transfer takes the stress out of arrival day, and NordVPN protects your logins on public wifi. See our full list of trusted services below.

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Written by FinePassport team