Your business setup in Northern Europe, handled right.

Half our consultations end with "you don't need a BV yet." If you already have a company elsewhere, you can often register for Dutch VAT directly. Same import benefits, no substance requirements, much simpler. E-commerce sellers especially overestimate what they need to start.

Contractors and consultants face a different version: sometimes a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak, ENK) is enough. A BV adds compliance costs even at zero revenue. See our contractors roadmap.

A Dutch BV, Norwegian AS, or Swedish AB needs actual presence. Virtual mailbox addresses don't pass tax authority scrutiny. You need a real office (doesn't have to be big), someone with local decision-making authority, and documented board meetings. Run everything from abroad and the tax office will requalify your company's residence.

This catches UK companies wanting EU access and e-commerce operations wanting a distribution hub. We connect you with compliant solutions, but only if your operations actually support it.

Where you spend time determines where you pay personal tax. Where decisions are made determines where your company pays tax. Split time carelessly and you end up tax resident in both. The 183-day rule is a rough guide. Your ties to each country (apartment, bank accounts, social life) matter too.

This matters most for expats who want flexibility. We've seen clients turn down job offers abroad because managing dual residency wasn't worth it.

No. This is the most common misunderstanding we see. The location of both buyer and seller determines VAT treatment, not which number you use. Article 23 import deferment only helps when importing from outside the EU (China, UK, US) through Dutch ports.

This changes the entire structure decision for e-commerce and trading businesses. Our Netherlands page explains the specifics.

Netherlands: Fast incorporation, strong logistics, DAFT visa for Americans. Norway: EEA access without full EU, strong for energy/maritime. Sweden: No minimum capital since 2020, good startup ecosystem. Denmark and Finland each have their advantages.

Companies targeting Nordic markets often need presence in multiple countries. Your residency plans, customer locations, and industry matter more than generic "best country" lists.

The DAFT treaty lets US citizens start a business in the Netherlands with a low investment threshold. But the rental market has tightened. Landlords want €7,000+ monthly income or 3x rent in savings. Budget €100,000+ in reserves for housing in Amsterdam.

Americans also face FATCA complications. Many European banks won't open accounts for US citizens. We know which ones will. See our expat roadmap.

If you're planning to raise funding, yes. Investors expect a holding that protects founder shares when new investors come in. Standard practice for startups. Costs more upfront (~€2,700 vs €1,600 for single BV), but restructuring later is messier.

If you're "considering investors eventually"-set up the holding now.

Dutch BV: 2-3 weeks from complete documentation to operational. Norwegian AS: similar but D-number processing can add weeks. Swedish AB: often 1-2 weeks.

The bottleneck is usually document collection, not registration. Missing apostilles, translations, or complex shareholder structures add time. Residence permits add 2-6 months.

Formation: yes, with power of attorney. Bank accounts: increasingly yes, though some banks want in-person verification. Residence permits: you'll need to appear for biometrics.

But remember substance. If you're incorporating while living abroad with no plans to establish real presence, you're setting yourself up for problems. Formation can be remote; ongoing operations need actual substance.