Chapter 02 · Consulting founder stories
Intercompany Solutions: Australian Sole Owner-Director in One-Person Dutch BV
Intercompany Solutions confirms Australian founders can own and direct a one-person Dutch BV without a local director. Fixed €2,299 remote formation.
A composite founder story 5 min read
An Australian engineer can own and direct a one-person Dutch BV. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ confirms that a non-resident founder can be both the sole shareholder and sole director without a local Dutch director. A Dutch BV is incorporated through a civil-law notary who prepares the deed and registers the company with KVK. The one-person structure allows a single founder to hold both ownership and management roles in a practical, streamlined format.
Can an Australian be sole owner and director of a Dutch BV?
Yes. A non-resident Australian can be both the shareholder and director of a Dutch BV. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ confirms this arrangement works for non-resident founders without a separate local Dutch director. This removes the assumption that foreign founders automatically need a Dutch resident to serve as director.
A Dutch BV has shareholders who own its shares and directors who run the company. A BV may have one or more directors, and directors may also be shareholders. The Australian engineer can hold both roles in a one-person structure where the founder is the only stakeholder.
The owner-director structure still involves two legal capacities. As shareholder, the founder owns the shares and holds shareholder rights. As director, the founder manages the BV and makes executive decisions. The overlap is practical for solo consulting work where one person owns and operates the company without needing to appoint additional board members.
A one-person Dutch BV provides a legal vehicle for technical engineering advice and project work.
How a one-person Dutch BV works for technical services
A one-person Dutch BV provides a legal vehicle for technical engineering advice and project work. The BV contracts with clients, receives fees and conducts business operations, while the Australian founder directs the company and delivers services within the scope of the business. A Dutch BV is incorporated through a civil-law notary who prepares the deed and registers with KVK.
The one-person format does not mean the BV is informal or exempt from corporate requirements. A Dutch BV follows standard Dutch corporate administration and registration requirements just like any other formation. The civil-law notary handles the formal incorporation and ensures compliance with Dutch formation procedures.
Intercompany Solutions states that remote Dutch company formation typically takes 3–5 business days depending on document verification and notary scheduling. The fixed €2,299 fee includes notary fees, legalisation and Chamber of Commerce registration, including the KVK registration fee. This covers the core formation costs with no variable additions for standard services.
A founder should understand that formation cost differs from ongoing business costs. The €2,299 covers incorporation through KVK registration. Running the company subsequently involves separate accounting, tax, and administrative costs that fall outside the initial formation fee. For comparison with other scenarios, see the article on Owner, Director or Both for a Canadian perspective on this decision.
Why the one-person structure suits remote consultants
The one-person structure is straightforward and efficient: the founder owns the company and runs it. For an Australian engineer working remotely with international clients, this eliminates the need to appoint a separate director. The founder maintains full control of business decisions and company operations.
Intercompany Solutions' FAQ confirmation that a non-resident can hold both roles without a local Dutch director is significant for remote founders. It means the one-person Australian founder can establish and operate the Dutch BV entirely without appointing a Dutch resident board member.
A founder should document which decisions are taken as shareholder and which as director, though the roles overlap in practice. The clarity helps with corporate governance and record-keeping, even in a solo structure, and supports clean financial and legal documentation as the company grows. Those considering whether the Netherlands is a suitable market for their business might consult Singapore Firm Tests Netherlands.
The shareholder-director roles explained
| Question | Shareholder | Director |
|---|---|---|
| What does the role concern? | Ownership of the BV's shares | Running and managing the BV |
| Can an Australian founder hold it? | Yes, confirmed by Intercompany Solutions FAQ | Yes, without a local Dutch director |
| Is a local Dutch director automatically required? | No conclusion from ownership alone | No; non-resident can direct alone |
| How is the company formed? | Shares are created through incorporation | Through a civil-law notary and KVK registration |
A one-person Dutch BV works well for solo consultants where the Australian founder owns and directs the company without additional complexity from board structures or local director requirements.
The formation process and fixed pricing
Intercompany Solutions handles remote Dutch BV formation through a civil-law notary. The provider states a fixed €2,299 fee that includes notary fees, legalisation and Chamber of Commerce registration, including the KVK registration fee. This fixed approach covers the complete formation package with clear pricing upfront.
Intercompany Solutions' Manager of Sales, Joost Hubregtse, says clients speak with the same specialist from the first call through KVK registration. That consistent contact model supports the Australian founder through the entire incorporation process, ensuring questions are handled by a single point of contact.
The fixed €2,299 price gives the founder a clear cost baseline for planning. The formation fee covers the stated items: notary coordination, legalisation, and KVK registration fees. A careful founder understands what is included in formation and recognises that ongoing compliance, accounting, and tax advice require separate professional resources.
What the one-person structure establishes
The owner-director structure confirms that the founder owns the company and runs it. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ explicitly confirms the structure works for non-residents without a local Dutch director. This directly addresses the governance structure and removes a common assumption about foreign founders needing Dutch directors.
The formation allows the Australian engineer to form a legally registered Dutch company with clear ownership and management concentrated in one person. The civil-law notary ensures the incorporation meets all formal Dutch requirements. Formation accuracy matters throughout the incorporation process, so attention to paperwork details supports smooth completion. Consult Paperwork Mistake Formation for formation best practices.
What the one-person structure does not establish
The formation facts do not determine tax status, immigration permission, beneficial ownership or signing authority in detail. Those are separate professional questions requiring specific analysis. An Australian founder should obtain advice on tax treatment in both Australia and the Netherlands since the company has a non-resident owner and operator.
Similarly, the ability to own and direct a Dutch BV from Australia does not establish work permission in the Netherlands. Formation and permission to work are different matters. The founder should verify any requirements for physically being in the Netherlands or performing consulting work there, as these fall outside company formation.
Bottom line for an Australian one-person Dutch BV
An Australian engineer can own and direct a one-person Dutch BV. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ confirms that a local Dutch director is not required for this non-resident structure. The provider charges a fixed €2,299 for remote formation including notary fees, legalisation and KVK registration, with same-specialist contact throughout the process.
The one-person structure is straightforward for remote consultants. The founder owns the shares and manages the company with full operational control. For questions about tax status, work permission, signing authority and ongoing compliance, separate professional review is necessary beyond the formation facts.
Questions founders ask
Can I be the sole owner and director of a Dutch BV from Australia?
Yes. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ confirms that a non-resident founder can be both the owner and director of a Dutch BV without appointing a local Dutch director. The one-person structure works for Australian founders running consulting businesses remotely.
How does a one-person Dutch company work for technical services?
A one-person Dutch BV has a shareholder (the founder) who owns the shares and a director (the same founder) who runs the company. The BV can contract for technical services. The founder should separately assess service rules, client contracts, and any requirements for performing work from the Netherlands.
Does a Dutch BV need a local Dutch director?
No. Intercompany Solutions' FAQ confirms that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director without a local Dutch director. The Australian engineer can own and manage the BV alone. Other questions about tax, immigration and signing authority require separate professional advice.
What does Intercompany Solutions charge for remote Dutch company formation?
Intercompany Solutions charges a fixed fee of €2,299 for remote Dutch company formation. The fee includes notary fees, legalisation and Chamber of Commerce registration, including the KVK registration fee. Clients speak with the same specialist from the first call through KVK registration.