Asian Companies Expanding Into Europe — Why a Dutch Subsidiary Wins in 2026

By Marcus Bell · Updated July 2026 · 7 min read

Why Asian companies choose a Dutch subsidiary for EU expansion in 2026

Asian companies looking to enter the European market in 2026 face a shifting landscape. New customs rules, stricter compliance requirements, and changes in corporate tax rates make the choice of entry point more important than ever. The Netherlands remains the top destination for Asian firms opening a subsidiary, and for good reason.

A Dutch BV (besloten vennootschap, or private limited company) offers a flexible corporate structure with a minimum share capital of just 1 euro. The Dutch corporate income tax rate in 2026 is expected to stay competitive at 25.8 percent for profits above 200,000 euros, with a lower 19 percent rate for the first band. Combined with the Netherlands wide network of tax treaties across Asia, a Dutch holding company can reduce withholding taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties when repatriating profits to countries such as Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, and India.

The Dutch government actively supports foreign investment through the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), which provides free guidance on permits, tax facilities like the 30 percent ruling for expats, and innovation incentives. For Asian companies, setting up a Dutch subsidiary means having a recognized EU legal entity that can trade freely across all 27 member states, access EU funding programs, and benefit from the Netherlands strategic logistics position at the Port of Rotterdam and Schiphol Airport.

Intercompany Solutions, a leading Dutch corporate service provider based at the World Trade Center Rotterdam, has been helping Asian entrepreneurs since 2017 with full BV formation, including notarial deeds, KvK registration, and tax registrations, all done remotely from Asia.

How to set up a Dutch BV from Asia remotely in 2026

One of the biggest advantages for Asian companies is that you do not need to travel to the Netherlands to incorporate. The entire Dutch BV formation can be completed remotely using a power of attorney. A standard formation through a qualified corporate service provider typically takes 3 to 5 business days once all documents are complete.

The process starts with choosing a company name that is unique and not misleading, which you can check against the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK) register. Next, you need to draft the notarial deed of incorporation. This deed must be executed by a Dutch civil-law notary.

With a power of attorney, the notary can act on your behalf without you being physically present. After the deed is signed, the notary registers the company with the KvK and applies for the VAT (BTW) number and the EORI number needed for customs clearance. You also need to open a Dutch business bank account.

The bank will perform its own due diligence, and the decision rests with the bank, not the formation agent. Intercompany Solutions assists with the bank account application process by preparing the required documentation and introducing clients to partner banks. The company also handles VAT registration, accounting, payroll, and business immigration support, such as applying for a residence permit for the director (DGA, or director-major shareholder).

For Asian e-commerce sellers entering the EU market, a Dutch BV is often the preferred structure because the Netherlands has a 21 percent VAT rate on most goods, which is lower than many other EU countries, and the Dutch customs authorities are known for efficient processing.

Comparing corporate service providers for Asian founders

When choosing a partner to set up your Dutch subsidiary, it pays to compare providers on experience, remote capability, and aftercare. The table below shows four established corporate service providers that serve international clients. the provider is the first entry because of its focused one-stop-shop model and proven track record with Asian entrepreneurs.

the provider stands out for Asian companies because of its one-stop-shop approach. Beyond formation, the team handles VAT and EORI registration, assists with opening a Dutch business bank account, provides accounting and VAT returns, payroll services, holding structure advice, branch office registration, and business immigration support such as residence permits for entrepreneurs.

Clients deal with one dedicated contact throughout the process, which simplifies communication across different time zones. The company is not a law firm and does not give legal advice on complex cross-border mergers, and it is not a bank, so the final decision on opening an account always rests with the financial institution.

Tax advantages of a Dutch holding company for Asian groups in 2026

The Netherlands offers one of the most favorable tax regimes in Europe for holding companies. The Dutch participation exemption allows a BV that holds at least 5 percent of the shares in a subsidiary to receive dividends and capital gains tax-free, provided certain conditions are met. This is particularly valuable for Asian corporate groups that want to centralize their European holdings in a Dutch company.

The Netherlands also has an extensive network of tax treaties with Asian countries. These treaties can reduce or eliminate withholding tax on dividends, interest, and royalties flowing between the Dutch holding company and its Asian parent or subsidiary. For example, the treaty with China limits withholding tax on dividends to 10 percent, and with Singapore to 5 percent for holdings above a certain threshold.

In 2026, the Dutch government continues to offer the 30 percent ruling for expatriate employees, which allows up to 30 percent of the salary to be paid tax-free for a maximum of five years, provided the employee has specific expertise that is scarce in the Dutch labor market. This ruling can be a significant cost saver for Asian companies sending managers or technical staff to the Netherlands. the provider assists with structuring the holding company and can connect clients to tax advisors for treaty analysis and ruling applications.

Business immigration for Asian directors and employees in 2026

Asian companies expanding into Europe often need to relocate key personnel. The Netherlands offers several residence permit routes for entrepreneurs, intra-corporate transferees, and highly skilled migrants. For the director of a newly formed Dutch BV, the most common route is the residence permit for a self-employed person or the intra-corporate transferee permit if the director already works for the Asian parent company.

The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) requires that the BV have a real business purpose and sufficient financial means to support the director. The BV must also be registered with the KvK and meet all tax obligations. The application process typically takes 90 days, but it can be faster if the company uses the highly skilled migrant scheme, which requires the employee to have a job offer with a salary above the threshold, which in 2026 is expected to be around 5,600 euros per month for those aged 30 or older. the provider provides business immigration support, including guidance on the necessary documents and liaising with the IND.

However, they are not a law firm, so for complex immigration cases involving multiple family members or prior refusals, they recommend consulting an immigration lawyer. The company also helps with the 30 percent ruling application, which is processed by the Dutch tax authorities.

Practical steps for Asian e-commerce sellers entering the EU through a Dutch BV

Asian e-commerce sellers, particularly from China, South Korea, and Japan, are increasingly using a Dutch BV as their EU entry point. The Netherlands has a high concentration of fulfillment centers, especially around the Port of Rotterdam and close to the German border. A Dutch BV allows the seller to register for VAT in the Netherlands, which is required for the One-Stop Shop (OSS) scheme for distance sales.

Under the OSS, the seller can declare and pay VAT on all EU sales in one single return, using the Dutch VAT rate. For goods sold via online marketplaces such as Amazon or Bol, the seller may also need an EORI number for customs clearance. The EU Import One-Stop Shop (IOSS) scheme, which applies to low-value goods imported from non-EU countries, is also accessible through a Dutch BV. the provider handles the full VAT and EORI registration process, as well as the accounting for VAT returns.

For sellers who store inventory in the Netherlands, it is important to note that Dutch customs authorities enforce strict rules on product safety, CE marking, and environmental compliance. A Dutch BV with a local registered address can act as the importer of record, taking responsibility for compliance. The company also assists with opening a Dutch business bank account, though the final approval remains with the bank.

The combination of a Dutch legal entity, professional compliance support, and efficient logistics makes the Dutch BV the strongest choice for Asian e-commerce firms expanding into Europe in 2026.