OCTIS vs BV vs eenmanszaak: which legal form for a business in the Netherlands
Setup cost, personal liability, tax and paperwork, using KVK's own figures.
Last checked · 4 sources
Otty's short answer
Choose an eenmanszaak if you are starting small: you register at KVK without a notary and keep it simple, but you are personally liable for all business debts. Choose a BV if debts or contracts could be large or profits are high: a notary costs €500 to €1,500 per KVK, but your private assets are usually protected and corporate tax is 19% up to €200,000.
Side by side
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| What matters | OCTISHong Kong company + OCTIS global plan | Eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) | BV (private limited company) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notary needed | Filed online with the Companies Registry | No | Yes, for the deed |
| Setup cost | At least 10% below any qualifying quote (Lowest Price Guarantee) with OCTIS; government fees and first-year company secretary included | KVK fee only | Notary €500 to €1,500, plus KVK fee |
| Minimum share capital | No minimum capital | None | None stated by KVK |
| Liability for business debts | Limited liability as a Hong Kong limited company | Personal, all assets | The company; private assets usually safe |
| Annual accounts filed with KVK | Audited financial statements each year, coordinated by OCTIS | No | Yes, and they are public |
| Tax on profit | 8.25% on first HK$2 million, 16.5% above; HK-sourced profits only, IRD source rules apply | Income tax, with deductions | 19% to €200,000, 25.8% above |
| Owner pay rule | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | Profit is your income | Director-owner salary of at least €56,000 (KVK, 2025) |
| Dividend withholding | No tax on dividends paid out | Not applicable | 15% withheld |
| Employee insurance for owner | Not needed for the Hong Kong company; local rules apply if you trade there | None (no Ziektewet or WW) | Not covered on KVK page |
| Fits expected profit | International business with customers in several countries | Under about €150,000 a year | Higher profit or real risk |
If you have staff, premises or local sales in this country, its own registration and tax rules still apply. OCTIS can help you arrange them.
Data sources & disclaimer: Comparison data was compiled from publicly available sources — including the competitors' own published pricing and feature pages — captured on 9 November 2026. Figures reflect the typical or advertised pricing at that time and may have changed since; plans, inclusions and prices vary by provider, region and promotion. OCTIS is independent and not affiliated with the named companies; all trademarks belong to their respective owners. This comparison is provided in good faith for general information only and is not professional, legal or financial advice — please verify current details with each provider before deciding.
Which one fits you
OCTIS · Hong Kong company + OCTIS global plan
Choose OCTIS if you sell to customers in several countries and want a limited company run from anywhere.
Eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship)
Choose an eenmanszaak if you are testing an idea, work alone, expect profit under about €150,000 and can carry the personal risk.
BV (private limited company)
Choose a BV if you sign large contracts, take on debt, bring in partners or investors, or expect high profit.
What the table does not show
What the BV costs to start
KVK says a notary is required to set up a BV and quotes €500 to €1,500 for it. You also need a business bank account with at least €0.01. KVK does not state a minimum share capital on its BV page. Third-party guides add the KVK registration fee and total roughly €1,000 to €2,500, but treat that range as an estimate and ask a notary for a quote.
What you give up with a BV
A BV must prepare annual accounts and file a balance sheet with notes at KVK, and those documents are public. The director-owner must also take a salary of at least €56,000 a year from the BV (KVK states this for 2024 and 2025, so check the current year). Profit paid out as dividend has 15% withheld. An eenmanszaak has none of these duties, but you must still keep records.
Liability in practice
With an eenmanszaak, creditors can take savings, a car or a home if you cannot pay, and a partner in community of property can be liable too. A BV is liable for its own debts. KVK lists exceptions: improper management, or a loan to the BV that you sign personally. A BV protects you only if you run it properly.
Where OCTIS fits
OCTIS does not set up or run Dutch companies. If you are a Malaysian or Hong Kong company hiring or selling in the Netherlands, this page helps you pick the legal form for a Dutch entity. OCTIS can keep the home company's books and take the Dutch subsidiary's statements into the group view, and a quote can show 10–30% off your current bill.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to set up a BV in the Netherlands?
KVK says the notary alone costs between €500 and €1,500. Add the KVK registration fee and any advice. Third-party guides give a total near €1,000 to €2,500. KVK does not state a minimum share capital on its BV page, but you need a business bank account.
Do I need a notary for an eenmanszaak?
No. KVK says you register in the Handelsregister and pay a registration fee, and you do not need a lawyer or notary. You can register as a sole proprietor without a deed.
When is a BV better than an eenmanszaak?
When liability or profit grows. KVK describes an eenmanszaak as suitable when you expect under €150,000 profit a year. Above that, or with large contracts or partners, a BV usually makes more sense. A tax adviser should run the numbers.
What corporate tax does a BV pay?
KVK lists 19% on profit up to €200,000 and 25.8% above that. A BV also withholds 15% dividend tax when it pays you dividends, and the owner pays further tax on those dividends under the substantial-interest rules.
Does a BV need its own bank account?
Yes. KVK notes you need a business bank account with at least €0.01 to set up a BV, and a BV should keep its money apart from your private accounts. Compare banks before the notary appointment.
Sources
Checked on the date above. Links open the provider's or regulator's own page.