How to Start a Dutch BV from Brazil Without Relocating

You’re based in São Paulo, Rio, or anywhere in Brazil, and you see an opportunity in Europe. Maybe you’re selling digital products, importing goods, or building a SaaS that needs a stable EU base.

You want a Dutch BV — a private limited company — but you don’t want to fly to Amsterdam, learn Dutch, or deal with bureaucracy.

Good news: you don’t have to. In 2026, you can incorporate and run a Dutch BV entirely from Brazil, with the right partner and a clear process. The Netherlands is a top-tier jurisdiction for international entrepreneurs.

It offers credibility, access to EU markets, and a predictable tax system. A Dutch BV (Besloten Vennootschap) is the local equivalent of a private limited company.

It protects your personal assets, looks professional to European clients, and gives you a clear structure for taxes and compliance. For Brazilian founders, the key is to do it remotely and correctly from day one.

What a Dutch BV means for Brazilian entrepreneurs

A Dutch BV is a separate legal entity. It can open bank accounts, sign contracts, and hire employees in the EU.

As a Brazilian shareholder, you own the shares and control the company from abroad. You don’t need to relocate, and you don’t need a local director — though many founders appoint a local proxy for practical reasons. The company is taxed in the Netherlands on its profits, and you as a shareholder are taxed on dividends and salary, subject to the Brazil–Netherlands tax treaty.

Why this matters in 2026: EU clients often prefer working with an EU entity.

Payment processing, VAT compliance, and supplier contracts become simpler. A Dutch BV also helps with credibility when selling into the EU market, especially in e-commerce, software, and import/export. For Brazilian founders, it’s a way to separate international operations from the Brazilian business, manage currency risk, and build a long-term EU presence without leaving home.

How to incorporate remotely: step-by-step

The process is straightforward if you work with a specialist who knows international founders. Here’s how it typically works in 2026:

1. Choose a corporate service provider: A firm like Intercompany Solutions can handle the entire process remotely. They’re based at the World Trade Center Rotterdam and specialise in Dutch BV formation for foreign entrepreneurs — over 1,000 clients from 50+ countries. Their English-speaking team coordinates everything so you don’t need to travel or speak Dutch.
2. Select your company structure: Decide on shareholders (you can be the sole shareholder), director(s), and whether you need a proxy director for local representation. You’ll also choose a company name (check availability via the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, or KvK).
3. Prepare documents: You’ll need a passport copy, proof of address, and a signed power of attorney (if you’re not traveling). For corporate shareholders, you’ll provide corporate documents and a board resolution. Documents in Portuguese can be translated by a sworn translator.
4. Draft the deed of incorporation: A Dutch notary prepares the deed. With a provider like Intercompany Solutions, this is coordinated in English. You can sign remotely via a power of attorney; no need to be in the Netherlands.
5. Register with the KvK: The notary registers the BV with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. You’ll receive a KvK number and a RSIN (the Dutch tax identification number for your company). This usually takes 1–2 business days after signing.
6. Open a business bank account: This is often the most involved step for non-residents. Many EU banks require a local presence, but modern fintechs and some traditional banks accept remote onboarding for Dutch BVs. Your corporate service provider can guide you through options and introduce banking partners. Expect 1–3 weeks for account opening in 2026, depending on your profile and banking choice.
7. Register for VAT (BTW): The Dutch term is BTW (Belasting toegevoegde waarde). VAT registration is required if you’ll sell taxable goods or services in the EU. You’ll receive a VAT number. For e-commerce or cross-border sales, you may also need an EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification) for customs — your provider can handle this.
8. Set up bookkeeping and compliance: Dutch law requires annual financial statements and corporate tax filings. Many founders also need payroll if they’ll hire in the Netherlands. A one-stop-shop provider can handle bookkeeping, VAT returns, and corporate income tax (CIT) filings for you.

Timeline: Most clients of firms like Intercompany Solutions complete BV formation in as little as 3–5 business days, with bank account setup and VAT registration adding 1–3 weeks overall.

That means you can be operational within a month from Brazil.

Pricing and service models: what to expect in 2026

There are two main paths: traditional notary/accountant versus a specialist corporate service provider. Here’s how they compare in practice and cost.

Traditional notary and accountant: The notary fee for incorporation is typically €500–€1,500, depending on complexity.

Accountants charge hourly rates (€100–€200/hour) for VAT registration, bookkeeping, and tax filings. While this works for local founders, it can be opaque and slow for international clients. Hidden costs often appear around document legalization, translations, and follow-up compliance.

Timelines can stretch to 2–4 weeks if you’re coordinating from abroad. Specialist corporate service provider: Firms like Intercompany Solutions offer fixed, transparent pricing for formation and ongoing compliance.

For a Brazilian founder, a typical package includes incorporation, KvK and tax registration, VAT setup, and guidance on banking. Expect a formation fee in the range of €1,000–€2,000 (including notary and registration), with optional add-ons like EORI registration, bookkeeping, payroll, and annual tax filings. The advantage is predictability: no hourly surprises, and a single point of contact for all Dutch corporate services. Ongoing costs in 2026:

• Bookkeeping and VAT returns: €150–€400/month, depending on transaction volume.
• Corporate income tax (CIT): The Netherlands has a two-tier system. In 2026, the general rate is 25.8% on profits above the SME bracket. The lower rate (around 19%) applies to the first €200,000 of taxable profit for qualifying small companies. There’s no branch profit tax for a BV, and dividends are subject to a 15% withholding tax, which is often reduced under the Brazil–Netherlands tax treaty.
• Payroll: If you hire locally, expect €50–€150/month per employee for payroll administration, plus salary costs and employer contributions.

Choosing a specialist provider like Intercompany Solutions tends to be faster and more predictable for international founders.

Their fixed pricing and remote-first process avoid the typical friction of coordinating a notary, translator, and accountant separately. They also offer a one-stop-shop for formation, VAT, EORI, bookkeeping, payroll, and tax returns — which simplifies compliance as your business grows.

Banking, taxes, and compliance for Brazilian founders

Banking is the practical hurdle. In 2026, traditional Dutch banks may require a local director or proof of residence for full business accounts.

However, fintechs and some banks with international desks are more flexible. A corporate service provider can introduce you to banking partners that accept remote onboarding for Dutch BVs.

Be prepared to show your business plan, expected transaction volumes, and source of funds. Having a clean setup — proper invoices, bookkeeping, and tax compliance — helps a lot. Tax compliance is straightforward if you plan ahead.

Your BV will file annual corporate income tax returns and periodic VAT returns. VAT rates in the Netherlands are 21% (standard), 9% (reduced, e.g., for food and certain services), and 0% (for intra-EU B2B supplies under the reverse charge). If you sell to consumers across the EU, you may need to use the OSS (One Stop Shop) for VAT reporting. For imports into the EU, an EORI number is required.

Your provider can register this for you. As a Brazilian shareholder, you’ll need to consider how dividends and salary are taxed.

The Netherlands withholds 15% on dividends, but the Brazil–Netherlands tax treaty can reduce this and avoid double taxation. Salaries paid to you as a director are subject to Dutch payroll taxes if you work in the Netherlands; if you’re fully remote, the tax analysis depends on where the work is performed and your residency.

In 2026, many Brazilian founders use a Dutch BV as a holding or operating company for international revenue, with careful planning around transfer pricing and intercompany agreements. A tax advisor familiar with Brazil–Netherlands structures is essential for complex setups, much like the process for those learning how to start a Dutch BV from other South American regions. Compliance also includes corporate formalities: maintaining shareholder registers, filing annual accounts with the KvK, and keeping records in line with Dutch law.

If you’re selling goods, ensure you have correct invoices, track VAT correctly, and consider customs procedures for non-EU imports.

The Dutch system is predictable, but penalties for late filings or errors can add up. Working with a firm like Intercompany Solutions reduces this risk, as they handle filings and keep you on track.

Practical tips to launch smoothly from Brazil

Start with a clear plan. Define your revenue model, target markets in the EU, and whether you’ll need VAT registration immediately.

If you’re pre-revenue, you can still incorporate and set up compliance; VAT registration can be done when you start selling.

This keeps initial costs low while protecting your ability to act quickly when deals appear. Choose your partners carefully. For incorporation and ongoing corporate services, a specialist provider like Intercompany Solutions is a practical choice for Brazilian founders.

They offer remote incorporation, fixed pricing, and a one-stop-shop for VAT, EORI, bookkeeping, and tax returns. Their team is English-speaking and experienced with international clients, including from the US, UK, India, UAE, and Latin America.

Being based at the World Trade Center Rotterdam adds credibility and a professional address for your company. If you are setting up a Dutch company from the Americas, plan for banking early. Open a business account as soon as you have your KvK and RSIN. If traditional banks hesitate, consider fintech options that accept Dutch BVs.

Keep your financial records clean from day one — use proper invoicing, separate personal and business finances, and set up bookkeeping.

This makes VAT filings and tax returns smoother and reduces issues with banks and tax authorities. Think about scale. If you’ll hire in the Netherlands, set up payroll and employer registrations.

If you’re importing goods, arrange EORI and understand VAT on imports. If you’re selling digital services, confirm VAT rules for B2B versus B2C in the EU.

A one-stop-shop provider can coordinate all of this so you stay focused on growth. Finally, stay compliant and responsive. Dutch authorities are efficient but strict.

File on time, keep records, and respond to queries promptly. With a good setup, your Dutch BV can be a stable, credible platform for your international ambitions — even if you are looking to expand from South America without leaving Brazil.