Establishing a European NGO as a US Nonprofit

amazon

Question:

Being a US-based nonprofit, we’re looking to expand our presence into Europe. Which European countries would you recommend considering the following criteria: 1) Incorporation costs; 2) Simplicity and speed of the registration process; 3) Ongoing maintenance costs; 4) Necessity of a physical office, given our remote work model; and 5) Other notable advantages or challenges specific to each country?

Answer:

There are many options to consider, but in my opinion, some of the major countries are too cumbersome or have too much administrative burden (for example Germany, France).

The Netherlands is a popular choice for many international NGOs, as it is relatively easy to set up and manage a foundation there. Additionally, the Netherlands has an English-speaking population. 

  • From my experience, the setup costs as well as maintenance fees are on the lower end compared to other European countries.
  • It typically takes a few weeks to set up a foundation there.
  • A physical office is not a requirement, but you should have a decent business address / virtual office. Not just any p.o. box will do. The tax authorities and company registrar could check this. Check out providers here.

Below is more information on setting up a foundation in the Netherlands.

The following questions will need to be answered during the process of the setup of a Stichting/Foundation:

  1. Name of the foundation:     
  2. Address + phone number;    
  3. Statutory seat (headquarters);
  4. The purpose of the foundation;
  5. Will the foundation receive a ANBI-status? (more info via this link)    
  6. Name(s) of the founders and directors with a position (chairman, vice-chairman etc.)

Furthermore, we will need passport copies and proof of address of everyone involved in this foundation.

Below you’ll find an overview of the prices for a Foundation in the Netherlands:

  • Incorporation: Foundation €1500,00
  • Research costs of Notary €20,00 per person
  • Translation of Documents to English €100,00
  • Registration Costs €75,00 (paid to Chamber of Commerce after incorporation)

More on pricing of services in the Netherlands on this page.

Alternatives include the United Kingdom, it is home to many NGO’s, is English-speaking and has relatively low administrative and tax burdens. Downsides are that it is outside of the EU which could make it complicated as a base for the entire EU. Furthermore, the future of the regulatory and tax landscape there is a bit uncertain in my opinion.

Some of the Nordic countries could also make sense, particularly Sweden. However, remember that the price level for professional services in Sweden and the Nordics is generally much higher, both in terms of setting up and running the foundation.

A final option is Belgium as it is centrally located and houses many other NGO’s as its capital Brussels is the de-facto capital of the EU. Belgium is generally more bureaucratic and more cumbersome than other Northern European countries.

There is no right or wrong answer here, but I hope the above can give you some guidance.

Feel free to contact us with your questions about starting up in Europe in the form below:

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Further reading:

Best countries in Europe to move to for American entrepreneurs

Get in touch

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Contact us

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
Business Setup, Compliance & Operations, Corporate tax, Cross-Border Taxation, Industries, Legal Requirements, Market Entry, Tax, Tax Incentives, Technology & IT, VAT

US Tech Company Expansion to Europe: A Strategic Guide for SaaS and IoT Product Lines

Who This Guide Is For This comprehensive guide is specifically designed for:…

Industries

Best Countries for Your Film Business Expansion in 2025

The global film industry continues its upward trajectory, with the movies and…

Legal Requirements, Logistics & Operations, Quick Notes, Transport & Logistics

Foreign Vehicle Agreements and Dutch Transport Licenses

Case Study: Romanian “Comodat” vs. Dutch Requirements A recent client inquiry highlighted an important consideration for transport entrepreneurs using foreign vehicle arrangements while operating a Dutch company. The Scenario Our Finding Important: A foreign “comodat” (loan for use) agreement is generally not sufficient to meet Dutch…

Compliance & Operations, Legal Requirements, Quick Notes

Legal Representation Requirements for Non-EU Food Supplement Sellers

Challenge A Canadian entrepreneur wants to sell vitamin gummies through Instagram across multiple EU countries. They plan to set up a French entity and use the One-Stop Shop (OSS) for VAT compliance while expanding to Italy and Spain. Their main concern is finding a legal representative…

Funding, Quick Notes, Subsidies & Government Grants

DHI Subsidy: Financial Support for International Entrepreneurs Expanding from the Netherlands

As an international entrepreneur based in the Netherlands ready for your next growth phase, the DHI subsidy scheme provides concrete support for your expansion plans. This subsidy helps SMEs introduce their technologies, products, or services to foreign markets. What is the DHI Subsidy? The DHI subsidy…

Funding, Quick Notes, Startups

MIT R&D AI Collaboration Projects Grant Now Open for Applications

The MIT R&D Collaboration Projects for Artificial Intelligence (AI) grant program is now open for applications. This subsidy is specifically designed for collaborating SMEs that are developing innovative AI solutions or enhancing existing products, processes, or services through AI implementation. Key Requirements To qualify for this…

Thomas

Thomas is the founder of NordicHQ. Get in touch