Expand Your International Business with a Dutch Branch
Thinking of expanding your business into the Netherlands without forming a separate company? Registering a Dutch branch of your foreign business can be an effective and flexible solution. At Nexpat, we help expats, international entrepreneurs, and remote business owners establish a local presence in the Netherlands—without the need to incorporate a Dutch B.V.
Whether you’re exploring the market, opening a representative office, or providing cross-border services, a branch can help you operate legally and efficiently under Dutch law.
Branch or Subsidiary?
Not sure whether a branch or a Dutch B.V. is right for your business?
See our detailed comparison on the Branch vs Subsidiary page, or contact us for tailored advice.
How to Register a Branch in the Netherlands
Registering a branch (also called a foreign company registration) requires submitting key corporate and personal documents. At Nexpat, we manage this process from start to finish—whether you’re in the Netherlands or working remotely from abroad.
📑 Required Documents
To register your foreign company’s branch, we will need:
- Recent proof of company registration from your home country (dated within the past month)
- A copy of your company’s deed of incorporation
- Articles of association, if separate from the incorporation deed
- A valid Dutch business address (we can provide one if needed)
Don’t have a Dutch address yet? Ask us about our registered address service.
👥 Representative Identification
Each company representative (e.g. director, shareholder, or supervisory board member) must be identified during registration. You’ll need to provide:
- A legalized copy of the passport
- A sample of the original signature
- Residential address details
- Notarized proof of address (if the person is not a Dutch resident)
Can’t travel to the Netherlands? We offer remote identification support for foreign directors and representatives.
🏢 Legal Entities as Representatives
If any of your company’s representatives is a legal entity (such as a Limited, GmbH, or LLC), we’ll also require:
- Proof of incorporation for the legal entity
- Explanation of the company’s ownership structure
- Identification of ultimate beneficial owners (UBOs), if applicable
✍ Appointing a Local Representative
If you’d like someone to handle the branch registration on your behalf, we can prepare a power of attorney. This authorizes a representative—such as one of our consultants or a trusted contact—to act on your behalf.
What Happens After Registration?
Once your branch is registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KvK), we help you complete the next steps:
🧾 Dutch Tax Registrations
Depending on your activities, your branch may need to be registered for:
- Corporate Income Tax
- Value Added Tax (VAT)
- Payroll tax (if you plan to employ staff)
We take care of all these registrations and ensure your branch is compliant from day one.
Optional Support Services
In addition to branch registration, we offer full business support to help you get up and running in the Netherlands:
✅ Dutch business address service
✅ Opening a Dutch bank account
✅ Payroll setup and administration
✅ VAT returns and compliance
✅ Remote director onboarding
✅ Annual accounts and tax filings
Why Register a Branch?
A Dutch branch can be the ideal solution if you:
- Want to test the Dutch market before forming a company
- Prefer to maintain your existing corporate structure
- Operate remotely but need legal presence in the EU
- Want to benefit from Dutch tax treaties and VAT registration
Unlike a subsidiary, a branch is not a separate legal entity, meaning the parent company remains fully liable. This also reduces paperwork, especially in the startup phase.
Let’s Get Started
At Nexpat, we make Dutch branch registration fast, clear, and stress-free. We work with clients from around the world, and we understand the specific needs of remote founders, digital nomads, and internationally active companies.
Whether you’re registering a single-person branch or launching a European hub for your international business, we’re here to help.
Contact us for a free consultation or request a quote to get started.