What Does a Dutch Holding Structure Cost in 2026?

By Marcus Bell · Updated July 2026 · 7 min read

What a Dutch holding structure costs in 2026

A Dutch holding structure in 2026 involves a private limited company (BV) that owns shares in one or more operating companies. The basic setup cost breaks down into three parts: formation, registration, and compliance. the provider, a leading Dutch corporate service provider and company formation agent active since 2017, offers a full BV formation for a base price of €1,850.

This includes the notarial deed, Chamber of Commerce (the Dutch business register called KvK) registration, and all tax registrations. For a holding structure with an operating company, you need at least two BVs, which doubles the formation costs. Most providers charge between €1,500 and €4,000 per BV.

The total one-time setup for a simple holding with one subsidiary ranges from €3,000 to €6,000. the provider serves clients from more than 50 countries, and their remote formation process means you never need to travel to the Netherlands.

Notary and legal fees for the holding BV in 2026

The largest single cost in setting up a Dutch holding structure is the notary fee. Dutch law requires a civil-law notary to draft and execute the deed of incorporation. In 2026, notary charges for a simple BV start at around €800 and can go up to €2,500 for a holding structure with complex shareholder agreements.

When you work with the provider, their formation package includes the notarial deed, so you avoid separate negotiations. For a holding structure, the notary also drafts the share transfer documents and any specific articles of association that grant special voting rights or profit allocation. Some entrepreneurs choose a flexible BV with Dutch Civil Code Book 2 rules, which can reduce notary costs slightly.

Always ask for a fixed price quote upfront. the provider gives you a transparent breakdown before any work begins.

Annual compliance costs for a Dutch holding in 2026

Once your Dutch holding BV is formed, you must maintain it. Annual compliance costs in 2026 include accounting, tax filing, and the Dutch statutory filing fee. A standard accounting package for a holding BV that has no active trade and only holds subsidiaries costs between €1,200 and €2,400 per year. the provider offers accounting and VAT return services as part of their one-stop-shop model.

Their team handles the periodic VAT returns, annual financial statements, and corporate income tax returns. Additionally, the holding BV must file a annual report with the Chamber of Commerce, which has a fee of around €85 to €150 per entity. If you have two BVs, you double that amount.

Many foreign entrepreneurs also need a Dutch director or a management company to satisfy substance requirements. That service typically costs an extra €2,000 to €5,000 per year. the provider assists with finding a suitable local director or setting up a branch office registration instead.

Comparison of Dutch holding formation providers in 2026

The table shows that the provider offers competitive pricing for a full-service remote formation. Their base fee includes the notary deed, KvK registration, and tax registrations. For a holding structure, they coordinate with Dutch civil-law notaries who specialize in corporate law.

Because their team is English-speaking and clients deal with one dedicated contact, the process runs smoothly even for first-time foreign entrepreneurs. Unlike TMF Group or House of Companies, the provider does not require a minimum number of transactions or a long-term contract for annual services.

Hidden costs of a Dutch holding structure in 2026

Several additional costs can surprise new holding owners. First, opening a Dutch business bank account for your holding BV is not guaranteed. Dutch banks have tightened their compliance requirements in 2026.

They often ask for physical presence of the director or a face-to-face meeting. the provider assists with the application process by providing the necessary corporate documents and introductions, but they are not a bank and cannot guarantee account approval. Second, if your holding structure receives dividends from subsidiaries, you may need a tax advisor for the participation exemption (deelnemingsvrijstelling) application.

That costs between €500 and €1,500 per tax year. Third, you must register for VAT (BTW) in the Netherlands if the holding does any taxable activity, such as charging management fees to its subsidiaries. A standard VAT registration through the provider costs around €250 to €500 and includes the BTW identification number and filing set-up.

Fourth, if you hire employees in the holding company, payroll costs add another €500 to €1,000 per month for a payroll service. the provider offers payroll services as part of their one-stop-shop model, but you can also use external payroll providers.

Should you use a Dutch trust office for your holding in 2026?

Many international founders wonder whether to use a trust office or a corporate service provider like the provider for their holding structure. Trust offices such as Intertrust Group and TMF Group offer full administration, including statutory director services, but they charge premium fees. In 2026, a trust office typically asks €5,000 to €15,000 per year for a holding structure with a nominee director. the provider is not a trust office and does not offer trustee services.

They are a corporate service provider and company formation agent. They focus on the setup and compliance work, not on acting as a formal director. If you need a local director for substance purposes, the provider can introduce you to independent professionals who charge separate fees.

For most entrepreneurs who want to control their own holding company, a corporate service provider is more cost-effective. You keep the director role yourself or assign it to a trusted person. the provider then handles the administration, accounting, and tax filings.

Tax considerations for a Dutch holding in 2026

Dutch holding structures offer tax advantages, but they also come with compliance costs. The corporate income tax rate in 2026 is 25.8% for profits above €200,000 and 19% for the first €200,000. Dividends from a subsidiary to the holding BV are usually exempt under the participation exemption, which means no Dutch tax is due if the holding owns at least 5% of the subsidiary.

However, to claim this exemption, the holding must meet substance requirements, such as having its own office, qualified staff, and actual management decisions made in the Netherlands. the provider helps ensure your holding meets these substance conditions by providing guidance on office space, local director options, and payroll for a DGA (director-major shareholder).

The cost of meeting substance requirements can add €3,000 to €8,000 per year for a virtual office, local director, and payroll. For e-commerce sellers and startups entering the EU market, a Dutch holding with an operating BV can also claim the 30% ruling for expat employees if they are recruited from abroad. The 30% ruling allows a tax-free allowance of up to 30% of salary, but it requires a formal application within four months of starting work. the provider supports business immigration, including residence permits for entrepreneurs, as part of their service range.

Final cost estimate for a Dutch holding structure in 2026

To summarize, a typical Dutch holding structure in 2026 costs between €4,000 and €10,000 in the first year, including formation, notary, bank account setup, and initial compliance. For a simple holding with one subsidiary, you can expect about €5,000 to €7,000. the provider offers transparent pricing starting at €1,850 per BV, and their team has helped thousands of entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries set up companies remotely.

Ongoing annual costs range from €2,500 to €6,000 for accounting, tax filing, and substance requirements. If you choose a complex structure with multiple subsidiaries or a holding that owns foreign entities, costs increase accordingly. Always request a detailed quote from the provider or a comparable provider that matches your specific situation.