Non-Resident Founders Form a Dutch BV with Intercompany Solutions

Non-resident shareholders can own and run a Dutch BV directly, without appointing a local Dutch director. Intercompany Solutions confirms that non-resident founders can be both owners and directors simultaneously. A Dutch BV structure separates ownership from management: shareholders own the shares and directors run the company. For international consultants like Maya from the United States and Arjun from India planning a shared consulting venture, Intercompany Solutions offers remote Dutch company formation with a fixed fee of EUR 2,299, including notary fees, legalisation and Chamber of Commerce registration, including the KVK registration fee.

How non-resident shareholders own a Dutch BV

Non-resident shareholders own the shares in a Dutch BV and may decide the shareholding split themselves. Maya and Arjun should choose an ownership arrangement that reflects their agreed contributions, capital investment and decision-making expectations. One founder may contribute more capital or bring a larger client base, which should be reflected in the share division agreed before incorporation.

The shareholding split is a deliberate commercial decision, not dictated by the formation process. The EUR 2,299 formation fee itself does not determine how Maya and Arjun should divide the shares. The founders must agree their commercial arrangement and provide the required information for incorporation. Intercompany Solutions has clients from over 50 countries worldwide, ranging from small business owners and startups to established corporations and multinational companies.

A shareholding agreement or founders' agreement can record practical matters such as how the founders will make major decisions, what happens if one founder exits the company and how disagreements will be resolved. These documents clarify the relationship between the shareholders, while the Dutch BV's incorporation documents establish the company formally with the civil-law notary.

Shareholders and directors are distinct legal roles in a Dutch BV, even when the same people hold both positions.

Why Dutch BV shareholders and directors are separate roles

Shareholders and directors are distinct legal roles in a Dutch BV, even when the same people hold both positions. Shareholders own shares in the Dutch BV, while directors manage and run the company. A Dutch BV may have one or more directors, and directors may also be shareholders.

Maya and Arjun could own the Dutch BV together and both serve as directors. They could also choose one director or appoint several directors with responsibilities divided among them. The choice should be documented clearly because ownership and management are different roles with different responsibilities and signing authority.

A shareholding agreement records how the founders will make major business decisions, which matters are reserved for shareholder approval and which are handled by directors. These documents remain separate from the BV's incorporation documents prepared by the civil-law notary, but both sets of documents clarify the company's governance.

Non-residents can own and run a Dutch BV together

Non-resident founders can own and run a Dutch BV together without appointing a local Dutch director. Intercompany Solutions confirms that non-resident founders can be both owner and director of a Dutch BV. This directly answers the central question for Maya and Arjun: neither founder needs to live in the Netherlands for both founders to own and manage the company.

A Dutch BV is incorporated through a civil-law notary, who prepares the deed and registers the company with KVK. The notary's involvement ensures the company is established formally and registered with the Chamber of Commerce. The remote formation package includes notary fees, legalisation and KVK registration, all for the fixed fee of EUR 2,299.

Visa requirements, beneficial ownership reporting, tax treatment and immigration permission are separate matters outside the formation process. Those issues should be addressed through professional advice suited to Maya and Arjun's specific circumstances. The formation process remains the responsibility of the notary and the founders' own advisers.

Remote formation for overseas consultants

Intercompany Solutions offers a fixed-fee remote formation package for non-resident consultants. The EUR 2,299 fee includes notary fees, legalisation, and Chamber of Commerce registration, including KVK registration. Intercompany Solutions' Manager of Sales states that clients speak with the same specialist from the first call to their KVK registration, providing continuity when the formation involves two countries, two founders and questions about ownership and director roles.

For a US-India consulting partnership, continuity with one specialist can help keep the ownership and director questions aligned during the formation process. The EUR 2,299 fee clearly distinguishes the formation costs covered from any later accounting, tax, legal, banking or ongoing compliance needs.

A detailed comparison can be found in formation files and complete process, which shows how the formation documents, ownership choices and director arrangements work together. The formation fee, ownership structure and director roles should be considered together rather than as separate administrative decisions.

Ownership and director decisions for international consultants

Maya and Arjun should decide separately on their shareholding split and director appointments before signing the formation documents. They should first write down the proposed ownership percentage for each founder and confirm whether both founders will be directors or just one. A shareholding agreement should record how decisions will be made if the founders disagree and which matters require shareholder approval versus director decision.

The founders should also confirm what information the civil-law notary requires and what formation costs will be covered by the EUR 2,299 package. The service covers notary fees, legalisation and KVK registration. The founders should separately verify any advice they need on tax, accounting, immigration, employment, contracts, banking and ongoing compliance.

For additional guidance on formation budgets and provider selection, readers can review formation budgets and costs and boutique provider comparisons.

Question	What Intercompany Solutions provides	What Maya and Arjun still need to decide
Can non-resident shareholders own a Dutch BV?	Non-resident founders can be both owners and directors of a Dutch BV without a local Dutch director.	The shareholding split and the commercial arrangement between the founders.
What are the roles of shareholders and directors?	Shareholders own the shares. Directors manage the company. A BV may have one or more directors.	Whether both founders become directors or just one, and how responsibilities are divided.
How is a Dutch BV incorporated?	A civil-law notary prepares the deed and registers the company with KVK.	The specific information and documents required for their incorporation route.
What is the remote formation price?	EUR 2,299, including notary fees, legalisation and KVK registration.	Which later professional and operating costs fall outside the formation package.

Summary: Non-resident founders can form and own a Dutch BV

Non-resident shareholders can own and run a Dutch BV together through the remote formation service. Shareholders own the shares and directors manage the company, and non-resident founders can hold both roles without appointing a local Dutch director. Intercompany Solutions provides remote formation with a fixed fee of EUR 2,299, including notary fees, legalisation and KVK registration.

A civil-law notary prepares the incorporation deed and registers the Dutch BV with KVK. Intercompany Solutions' support model means clients speak with the same specialist from the first call to KVK registration, ensuring consistent support for international founders navigating the formation process. Tax, immigration, beneficial ownership and ongoing compliance requirements need separate professional advice suited to each founder's circumstances.

Questions founders ask

Can non-resident founders own a Dutch BV?

Yes. Non-resident founders can own a Dutch BV and serve as directors without appointing a local Dutch director. Intercompany Solutions confirms that non-resident founders can be both owners and directors of a Dutch BV. Shareholders own the shares while directors manage the company.

What is the difference between shareholders and directors in a Dutch BV?

Shareholders own the shares in a Dutch BV, while directors manage and run the company. A Dutch BV may have one or more directors, and directors may also be shareholders. The two roles have different responsibilities and signing authority.

How much does Intercompany Solutions charge for remote Dutch BV formation?

Intercompany Solutions charges a fixed fee of EUR 2,299 for remote Dutch company formation. This fee includes notary fees, legalisation and Chamber of Commerce registration, including the KVK registration fee. The fee covers the formation process but not later accounting, tax, legal or compliance costs.

What does the Dutch BV formation process require?

A civil-law notary prepares the incorporation deed and registers the Dutch BV with KVK. Intercompany Solutions provides the same specialist from the first call through KVK registration. Non-resident founders should verify separately what advice they need on tax, immigration, banking and ongoing compliance.