We will gladly help you get settled and stay in the Netherlands. Our lawyers can assist you with all aspects of the day-to-day operations of your business. All you have to do is call (t +31 20 301 55 55) or e-mail us (start@russell.nl). We will let you know whether we can help you, what we can do for you, and how much it is likely to cost.

Do you already know which Dutch legal form best suits your business? If not, here you can find an overview of the different types of legal entities in the Netherlands, which you can use to compare.

Are you considering setting up a Dutch Private Limited Company (BV)? Would you like advice about starting a BV? Or do you want to know more? Please do not hesitate to contact us.

We can also help you setting up a:

A Branch Company is a business that is operated by a foreign entity. Therefore you do not need to set up a separate Dutch entity. Setting up a Branch Company is attractive for companies who only want an establishment in the Netherlands, from which business operations are carried out. The advantage of setting up a Branch Company is that it is easier and less expensive than setting up a legal entity. The disadvantage is that the foreign company operating the branch is fully liable for all the obligations and liabilities of the branch. Therefore, it can sometimes be better to start a Dutch legal entity, like a BV.

You can find more on the characteristics of a Branch Company here. If you want to know whether a Branch Company best suits your business, or if you want to set up a Branch Company in the Netherlands, please contact us.

A Foundation suits your business if you have a specific goal (often charity) and aim to realize that goal by using capital allocated to such purpose. The Foundation does not have any members or shareholders and is therefore operated solely by the Board of Directors. The Foundation is not allowed to make distributions to the founders or member of its corporate bodies. It may only make contributions to other persons if such distributions are of an appropriate or social nature.

You can find more on the characteristics of a Foundation here. If you want to know whether a Foundation best suits your business, or if you want to set up a Foundation in the Netherlands, please contact us.

Starting a One-man business (or sole proprietorship or independent contractor) is attractive if you are the only owner of the business and you prefer being independent. It is possible to have employees, but there can only be one owner. Therefore no partnership agreement is needed. The disadvantage of a One-man business, compared to a BV, is that you are personally liable for all your actions; there is no difference between your private and your business debts. You will also have to file for personal bankruptcy if your One-man business is declared bankrupt.

You can find more on the characteristics of a One-man business here. If you want to know whether a One-man business best suits your business, or if you want to set up a One-man business in the Netherlands, please contact us.

You can start a Limited Partnership if you want to create a durable cooperation between two types of business partners: general partners (whose liability is unlimited) and limited partners (whose liability is in principle limited to the amount of their equity contribution). The management of the Limited Partnership must be performed by the general partners. The limited partners only contribute money and they cannot act on behalf of the Limited Partnership. Otherwise they will also become liable for the debts of the Limited Partnership.

You can find more on the characteristics of a Limited Partnership here. If you want to know whether a Limited Partnership best suits your business, or if you want to set up a Limited Partnership in the Netherlands, please contact us.

A Partnership is a legal form for professionals such as doctors, architects, dentists, lawyers, accountants, physiotherapists etc. It is based on an agreement between two or more persons who agree to transfer certain assets into a common property in order to share the benefits from the partnership. The main difference between a Partnership and a Commercial Partnership is that a Partnership can only be used for practicing a profession, whereas a Commercial Partnership is used for operating a business. Also, unlike the Commercial Partnership, the partners of a Partnership are jointly liable in equal shares.

You can find more on the characteristics of a Partnership here. If you want to know whether a Partnership best suits your business, or if you want to set up a Partnership in the Netherlands, please contact us.

Starting a Commercial Partnership is attractive if the purpose of the partnership is to obtain common benefits for the partners and if the partners want to contribute to the business in different ways: capital, goods, efforts (work) or goodwill. It is based on an agreement between two or more partners, which can be individuals or legal entities. A Commercial Partnership can contract in its own name, but it cannot hold property in its own name since it is not a legal entity. The partners are jointly and severally liable for all of the partnership’s obligations.

You can find more on the characteristics of a Commercial Partnership here. If you want to know whether a Commercial Partnership best suits your business, or if you want to set up a Commercial Partnership in the Netherlands, please contact us.

An NV is an attractive entity for companies wishing to raise capital in the public market. An NV, like a BV, has legal personality, issues shares and provides limited liability for its shareholders. Therefore the rules for an NV are very similar to the rules for a BV. The main difference between NVs and BVs is that a BV can only issue registered shares, whereas an NV can issue both registered and (freely transferable) bearer shares. For this reason, only the shares of an NV can be listed on a stock exchange.

You can find more on the characteristics of an NV here. If you want to know whether an NV best suits your business, or if you want to set up an NV in the Netherlands, please contact us.