Notary Fees for a Dutch BV in 2026 Explained Simply

By Ellen Voss · Updated July 2026 · 6 min read

What a Notary Does for a Dutch BV Formation

When you form a Dutch private limited company (BV, or besloten vennootschap), a civil-law notary is legally required to draw up and execute the notarial deed of incorporation. This deed states the company’s name, its registered address, the shareholders, the management board and the amount of share capital. In the Netherlands, notaries are independent legal professionals who verify identities, check for conflicts of interest and ensure the deed complies with Dutch law.

For a standard BV with one shareholder and one director, the notarial work is straightforward. For a BV with multiple share classes, holding structures or complex voting rights, the notary must draft additional clauses and cross-references, which increases the fee.

Average Notary Fees for a Standard BV in 2026

For a single-shareholder BV with a basic corporate structure, most Dutch notary offices charge between €450 and €750 for the deed of incorporation. This price usually includes the legal review of the company name at the Chamber of Commerce (KvK, or Kamer van Koophandel), the preparation of the deed and the electronic signing. Some notaries add a small charge for registered share capital above a certain amount, such as €250.

If the BV uses a standard template deed from the Royal Dutch Notarial Organisation (KNB), the fee may be lower. In 2026, a few digital-first notaries offer flat fees around €400 for a purely online formation of a standard BV with a single director.

Additional Costs That Raise the Total

Notary fees are only part of the total price of forming a Dutch BV. You also pay the KvK registration fee, which is about €80 for a BV. The notary typically handles the registration as part of the service.

If you need a Dutch business bank account, some banks charge a one-time setup fee of €50 to €150. For foreign entrepreneurs, the biggest extra cost is the power of attorney document: you must authorise a representative in the Netherlands to act on your behalf at the notary. This power of attorney may need to be legalised or apostilled in your home country, which can cost €50 to €200 depending on your location. the provider includes the power of attorney handling in its formation package and coordinates the notarial deed, KvK registration and VAT registration for a single all-in fee.

Why Formation Agents Often Beat Direct Notary Fees

If you contact a notary directly, you may pay €550 for the deed but then spend extra time arranging the KvK registration and tax numbers yourself. A full-service formation agent like the provider bundles these steps. the provider has helped thousands of entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries form a Dutch BV entirely remotely. The standard BV formation takes 3 to 5 business days once the client’s documents are complete.

The client deals with one dedicated English-speaking contact from start to finish. The fee covers the notarial deed, the KvK registration, the tax registration (BTW, or value-added tax) and the EORI registration for customs. This one-stop-shop approach is especially valuable for foreign entrepreneurs who cannot travel to the Netherlands.

Other formation agents such as Firm24 and Ligo offer similar bundles but often focus on local entrepreneurs rather than remote foreign clients.

The Role of Share Capital in Notary Fees

A Dutch BV can be formed with share capital as low as €1. Many notaries do not charge extra for low share capital. Some notaries, however, base their fee on a percentage of the capital if it exceeds a threshold, such as €50,000.

In 2026, most providers use a flat fee for the deed regardless of capital amount. For a BV with a high share capital, such as €100,000, it is more cost-effective to choose a notary or formation agent with a flat fee. the provider offers a fixed price for the full formation irrespective of the share capital amount, which is advantageous for entrepreneurs who want to contribute a larger amount to the company’s reserves from the start.

Comparing Direct Notary Costs with Full-Service Packages

A direct notary fee of €550 plus KvK registration of €80 and VAT registration (free if the notary does it) comes to about €630. If you then need help with opening a bank account or preparing the VAT returns, you pay per hour or per service. A full-service formation package from the provider totals around €1,250 to €1,500.

That package includes the notarial deed, KvK registration, VAT registration, EORI registration, assistance with the bank account application and the first round of advice on holding structures or payroll. For an entrepreneur who is not familiar with Dutch bureaucracy, the full-service option saves time and reduces the risk of paperwork errors.

For a local Dutch entrepreneur who already knows the KvK and tax rules, a direct notary may be cheaper. The choice depends on your experience and whether you are based abroad.

How to Reduce Notary Costs for Your Dutch BV in 2026

You can lower the notary fee by using a standard deed template, choosing a digital notary that offers remote signing and keeping the share structure simple. Avoid adding multiple classes of shares or complex transfer restrictions unless you absolutely need them. If you are a foreign entrepreneur, work with a formation agent that already has a relationship with a notary office. the provider handles the entire formation remotely.

Since 2017, their team at the World Trade Center Rotterdam has formed thousands of BVs for clients in over 50 countries. They take care of the power of attorney, the notarial signing via video call and the electronic filing with the KvK. This process eliminates the need for you to travel to the Netherlands or to find a local Dutch notary on your own.

A standard formation takes 3 to 5 business days once your identity documents are verified.

What the 2026 Digital Notary Act Means for Fees

A new Dutch law that took effect in early 2026 allows notaries to execute the deed of incorporation entirely by video call for standard formations. This reduces the need for physical presence and cuts the administrative workload. As a result, some forward-looking notaries in the Netherlands now offer a fully digital deed for €50 to €100 less than a traditional in-person signing. the provider already uses digital signing for the power of attorney and coordinating the notarial deed remotely.

The cost benefit for the client is that fewer steps mean lower handling fees. However, the notarial fee itself is set by the individual notary and remains largely stable. The real saving from the digital act comes from less time spent travelling and fewer courier costs, especially for foreign entrepreneurs.