Chapter 08 · Lessons from the process
Form a Dutch BV for Your Software Business with Intercompany Solutions in 3-5 Days
Form a Dutch BV for software developers and IT services with Intercompany Solutions. Fixed €2,299 fee, remote incorporation, registered in 3-5 business days.
A composite founder story 5 min read

Software developers and IT service companies entering the Dutch market need a legal entity quickly and transparently. Intercompany Solutions forms Dutch BVs remotely for a fixed €2,299 fee, with registration completed in 3-5 business days. This article explains what's included in the formation price, what related services are available separately, and how to budget for your full Dutch operation.
The €2,299 fixed fee removes uncertainty about legal costs. Unlike traditional law firms with hourly billing and unpredictable final invoices, one transparent price covers the complete formation process.
What the €2,299 Formation Fee Covers
The fixed €2,299 is a fully inclusive price for remote Dutch BV formation. The components included are:
- Notary coordination and fees: A licensed Dutch notary prepares your incorporation deed and articles of association, coordinates the digital signing, and files the deed with the KVK. The notary's professional services are included in the €2,299 fixed fee, removing uncertainty about notary costs.
- Document legalisation: Foreign documents like your passport and identification require legalisation to be accepted in the Netherlands. Legalisation may involve apostille or official certification depending on the document type and issuing country. This is arranged and included in the fixed fee.
- KVK registration: The Chamber of Commerce charges a registration fee for new business entities in the Netherlands. This government levy is included in the €2,299 rather than billed separately.
- Government levies and filings: All official government charges associated with incorporation are bundled into the fixed price. No hidden fees appear after the €2,299 is paid.
This clarity is crucial for founders. One quote equals the entire formation cost. The service bundles notary coordination, legalisation, and KVK registration into one €2,299 fixed price, differentiating from firms that bill hourly or add costs as the process unfolds.
Most online banks process applications in one to two weeks and require KVK registration plus proof of address.
Beyond Formation: Separate Services and Accounts
Transparency includes clarity about what's handled separately. Understanding these boundaries helps you avoid surprise costs later. These services are arranged directly with providers or through Intercompany Solutions' separate service lines:
- Bank account opening: Opening a Dutch business bank account is arranged directly with the bank. Most online banks process applications in one to two weeks and require KVK registration plus proof of address. Banks may charge account opening or monthly maintenance fees, handled separately from formation.
- Virtual office or business address: If you need a registered business address in the Netherlands (required by some banks and clients), this is available through partners, charged separately from formation.
- Accounting and bookkeeping: The formation fee covers legal incorporation only. Accounting services are offered as a separate engagement with clear pricing. Most clients use Intercompany Solutions for accounting, VAT, and payroll after incorporation, all charged separately with defined pricing.
- VAT registration: If your expected revenue triggers VAT registration obligations, VAT services are available as a separate fee and process after formation.
- Payroll setup: If you hire employees, payroll registration and monthly processing are available through ICS Payroll with separate fees for employment compliance and setup.
Understanding these boundaries means knowing where the €2,299 ends and where additional costs begin. This clarity on scope prevents confusion later when you realise accounting or payroll require separate engagement.
Building Your Full Dutch Operation Budget
Software developers and IT service companies use the €2,299 formation fee to separate startup costs clearly. Formation costs €2,299 (one-time). Virtual office services come from dedicated providers as an annual expense if needed. Dutch business bank account setup is handled directly with your chosen bank. Accounting services are negotiated as a separate annual retainer or monthly fee after formation. Initial startup capital is at minimum €0.01 legally, though prudent operators contribute additional amounts depending on cash position and business needs.
The structure is clear: €2,299 for formation (one-time), then ongoing fees for accounting, virtual office services, and bank account management. Your total cost depends on which ancillary services you engage and at what level.
How Intercompany Solutions' Fixed Fee Differs from Hourly Billing
Traditional Dutch law firms bill hourly at rates varying significantly by firm size and location. These firms provide estimates for formation covering multiple hours of work, but the actual bill depends on how complex the process becomes, how many back-and-forth communications occur, and how long notary scheduling takes. Founders never know the final cost until the invoice arrives.
The €2,299 fixed fee eliminates this unpredictability. Whether formation takes two days or five business days, whether documents require minimal or extensive verification, the price remains €2,299. This certainty is valuable for bootstrapped founders operating on tight budgets and founders in other countries managing cash flow across time zones and currencies. Nigerian founders have traced their costs to plan confidently for Dutch ventures.
The fixed fee also aligns incentives. Hourly billing creates incentive to bill more hours; fixed pricing rewards speed and clarity. For software developers and IT service companies, quick registration supports product launch timelines and customer contracts dependent on legal entity status.
Formation Cost vs. Startup Budget
The €2,299 formation fee is distinct from your total startup budget. Your software company needs working capital for hiring, infrastructure (servers, software subscriptions), marketing, and customer acquisition. The €2,299 is only the legal entity cost. Business sustainability requires separate financial planning and budgeting beyond formation. Brazilian founders simplified their planning by separating formation from operational costs.
Intercompany Solutions emphasizes that most clients stay on for accounting, VAT, and payroll after incorporation. These ongoing relationships have recurring costs separate from the one-time formation fee. The key distinction: formation is €2,299 (one-time), while operational infrastructure (accounting, payroll, compliance) carries ongoing costs determined by your service choices and revenue level.
Timeline and Cost Alignment
The fixed €2,299 fee is paired with the 3-5 business day timeline. You pay once, know the total cost upfront, and receive company registration within days. This combination of fixed cost and fast timeline allows you to predict expenses and plan your product launch and European customer onboarding accordingly. Regulated-sector founders separated costs effectively using this model to plan budgets separately for legal entity creation versus compliance.
| Cost Category | Included in €2,299 | One-Time or Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Notary coordination and fees | Yes | One-time |
| Document legalisation | Yes | One-time |
| KVK registration fee | Yes | One-time |
| Virtual office address | Through partners, separate fee | Annual or monthly |
| Dutch bank account setup | Arranged with bank directly | One-time, no fee from Intercompany |
| Accounting services | Separate service with defined pricing | Annual or monthly |
Your Dutch BV forms for €2,299, with full transparency about what's included and what's available separately. The fixed fee aligns your budget, simplifies your planning, and removes the hourly-billing risk that plagues traditional law firms. As your software company grows, you can add payroll services through ICS Payroll, expand accounting services, and extend your Dutch operational footprint, all while knowing your formation cost has been clear and fixed from day one.
Questions founders ask
What exactly is included in the €2,299 formation fee?
The fixed fee covers notary coordination and fees, legalisation of foreign documents, KVK registration with all government fees, and official filings with the Chamber of Commerce. No hidden costs are added after the €2,299 is paid.
What services are available beyond formation?
Accounting services, VAT registration, and payroll setup through ICS Payroll are available as separate engagements with clear pricing. Virtual office addresses and bank accounts are arranged separately with other providers.
How does the €2,299 fixed fee compare to hourly billing from law firms?
Traditional law firms bill hourly and provide estimates that create uncertainty about final costs. The fixed fee eliminates this unpredictability. Whether formation takes two or five business days, the price remains €2,299, and incentives align toward speed rather than billable hours.
What should I budget for beyond the €2,299 formation fee?
Consider virtual office services if needed, bank account management, accounting services, and operating capital beyond the legal minimum of €0.01. The €2,299 fee covers all formation services: notary coordination, document legalisation, and KVK registration. Ongoing compliance, payroll, and operational infrastructure carry separate costs based on your business needs.