Legal forms

An important question is whether to select a legal form with or without legal personality. If you choose a legal form without legal personality, you are personally liable for your company’s debts with your private assets. This is usually not the case if you choose a legal form with a legal personality.

Under Dutch law, the most common legal forms with legal personality are:

The capital is divided into shares, which are held by the shareholders. These shareholders have the ultimate say in a BV. This legal form is most common among international companies doing business in the Netherlands.

As with a BV, the capital is divided into shares. An important difference with this legal form is that a public limited company has not only registered shares but also shares that can be freely traded on the stock exchange (in contrast to a private limited company, which only has registered shares that can be transferred via a civil-law notary).

A cooperative is an association for the benefit of independent entrepreneurs. The members of a cooperative enter into agreements with each other. This legal form offers individual entrepreneurs the benefits of a collective. Entrepreneurs often opt for a cooperative if they need help achieving a certain goal, and would be better able to do so together with others

Under Dutch law, the most common legal forms without legal personality are:

Setting up a Dutch ‘eenmanszaak’ (sole trader or sole proprietor) is easy. You don’t need any starting capital, and can register for free with KVK, the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. As a sole trader you pay income tax, but there are several deductions you can use to reduce your net profit (taxable income). Examples include self-employment allowance (‘zelfstandigenaftrek’), tax relief for new companies (‘startersaftrek’), and the working partner’s deduction (‘meewerkaftrek’). The company is fully owned by you.

A general partnership (VOF) is ideal if you want to set up a company with several partners. Every partner contributes something to the business: capital, labour or assets. A minimum starting capital is not required.

A limited partnership (CV) is a variation on a general partnership (VOF). If you have insufficient capital to start a business, this legal form might be an interesting option. A limited or silent partner can contribute the required capital, while the managing partners are in charge of the daily management.

Impuls Zeeland has an extensive network of consultants and will be happy to introduce you to the right specialists who can guide you through the process and advise you on legal matters.
BENEFIT FROM OUR LARGE NETWORK AND KNOWLEDGE OF LOCAL MARKETS

How we can help you

You can rely on Impuls for much more than help with the legal and fiscal aspects of your business.

Subsidies and incentives

Subsidies and incentives can contribute significantly to the financing of your business in Zeeland. In addition to the favourable corporate tax in the Netherlands, both the regional and national government and Europe offer many reliable incentives from which you can benefit.

Selection of locations

Let us help you find the ideal location that is perfectly suitable for your business activities and matches your vision for the future.

Permit procedures

As an entrepreneur, you will naturally want to get started quickly. To this end, it is important that you apply for the correct permits and that you submit these correctly and as completely as possible. The help of an expert can make the permit process much easier.

CONTACT US

We are here to help.

We can give you independent professional advice, with no strings attached and free of charge.

Albert Meiresonne

Manager Foreign Direct Investments & International Trade

Rogier van der Torren

Foreign Direct Investments Manager

Laura Walhout

Foreign Direct Investment Manager

Internationalise

Impuls Zeeland: Empowering Vermeer's Growth in Europe and Beyond

Zeeland is an ideal location for businesses. Impuls Zeeland supports Vermeer's growth. Join the thriving companies in this province in the Netherlands.

Internationaliseren investeren

Bio Base Pack Europe received support in establishing and financing the company

Innovative Biobase Pack Europe and its parent company HemCell® have received assistance from Impuls Zeeland in establishing and financing the company in Zeeland.

Agrifood investeren Internationaliseren

For Kingfish Zeeland the choice for Zeeland was easy

Kingfish Zeeland didn’t have to think twice about where they wanted to produce and export their sustainably farmed fish. At the base of the Zeeland Bridge, the company benefits from a good location, strong aquaculture sector, strategic location and financing for its innovations.

Internationalise

E-commerce company Alternate chose Zeeland because of its A4 motorway

Nico Bommeljé, director of e-commerce company Alternate, chose Tholen in Zeeland to establish and expand the business. The location along the A4 motorway was the deciding factor.

Internationalise

DSV Solutions went for a favourable location in Zeeland

In 2019, with the help of Impuls Zeeland, logistics service provider DSV set up business at the Welgelegen business park in Tholen. They chose this location because of its favourable location between Rotterdam and Antwerp.