Setting up a BV in 2026: step-by-step plan, costs, and tips

Setting up a BV in 2026 involves seven steps: choose a name and purpose description, decide on the structure (one BV or holding company), arrange the founders and capital, request a draft deed from a notary, identify yourself digitally or in person, have the deed executed, and arrange the subsequent steps (Chamber of Commerce, VAT, bank). Time: one to two weeks for an online process. Costs: €400 to €1,500 for a standard incorporation. Below is a practical example, with tips on what goes wrong most often.

Anouk went through this process last year. What surprised her most: not the notary or the Chamber of Commerce, but the questions she had never considered beforehand — such as “what is your objective description” and “do you want to do this via a personal holding company”. Those questions are answered in steps 1 and 2. The rest is execution.

The short answer: 7 steps

1. Determine name and purpose description.
2. Choose a structure (one BV or holding and operating company).
3. Determine founders, directors, shares, and capital.
4. Have a draft deed drawn up by a notary.
5. Identify (digitally or physically) and sign the power of attorney.
6. Having the notarial deed executed.
7. Next steps: Chamber of Commerce, VAT, business bank, AGM resolutions, contracts.

Step 1: Name and goal description

Two seemingly simple decisions, in practice wrong more often than right.

• The name must be unique enough to avoid confusion with existing registrations. Check the Chamber of Commerce database and the trademark register before signing — a name that needs to be changed later is much more expensive than a name check beforehand. Also read about protecting your (where applicable).
• The description of the purpose is included in the articles of association and determines what your BV is “authorized” for. Too narrow: you will have to amend the articles of association later. Too broad: it can raise questions with banks or the tax authorities. A good formulation is broad-enough-without-vague. More in the section on the description of purpose for the notary.

Step 2: Structure — one BV or holding company?

For most SME entrepreneurs, a holding structure is smarter than a single BV. You set up two BVs simultaneously: a personal holding company (in which your shares are held) and an operating company (where the operations take place). Advantages: separation of assets and risk, tax flexibility regarding dividend distribution, easier when selling the operating company.

A single BV works fine for freelance-style one-person BVs without much value accumulation. With growth or multiple shareholders, a holding structure is often more sensible. Discuss this with your accountant and legal counsel before involving a notary.

Step 3: Founders, directors, shares and capital

Four practical questions the notary asks:

• Who are the founders? Natural persons or legal entities (e.g., your existing holding company).
• Who becomes the director? Often the same person, but it can also be different.
• How many shares, what type, what distribution? With multiple founders: be careful with a 50/50 without agreements — see the shareholders' agreement for a 50/50.
• Which contribution? Since the Flex-BV Act (2012), there is no minimum capital — €0.01 or €100 is often chosen. Contributions can be made in cash or in kind (see fully paying up shares).

Steps 4 & 5: draft deed and identification

The notary sends you a draft deed with the articles of association. Review it carefully: description of purpose, capital, governance regulations, blocking provisions, and any quality requirements. Agreed? Then you sign a power of attorney so that the notary can sign on your behalf — or you can come in person.

Identification is legally required (Wwft). For online incorporation, this is done via digital identification using an ID document and a facial scan. For incorporation in person, you present your passport at the office.

Step 6: signing of the deed

The official moment of incorporation. The notary signs the deed; the BV legally exists from that moment. In most online processes, this is a digital transaction that takes place within one working day after all documents have been received.

Step 7: next steps — Chamber of Commerce, VAT, bank, contracts

The BV exists — now comes the practical implementation:

• Chamber of Commerce registration. Almost always arranged by a notary.
• VAT number. Assigned by the Tax and Customs Administration, usually within a few weeks.
• Business bank account. Banks perform their own AML check — expect a processing time of one to three weeks.
• UBO registration. Mandatory within eight days of registration.
• Initial board and shareholder resolutions. Many notaries provide a set of basic templates.
• Legal contracts. Shareholders' agreement (in the case of multiple founders), management agreement between you and the BV, optionally employment or service agreements with staff, and general terms and conditions for your customers.

For the complete picture after the signing: what happens after the notary has signed the deed.

Costs in 2026

Indications for a standard BV incorporation:

• Online course with digital notary: € 400 – € 800.
• Physical notary with traditional appointments: € 800 – € 1.500.
• Holding structure (two BVs simultaneously): € 750 – € 1.800.
• Complex or international situations: generally higher; request a quote.

The complete breakdown with all cost components in the costs of setting up a BV.

Tips for what goes wrong most often

Five pitfalls Anouk and her colleagues encountered:

• Objective description too narrow. Expect an amendment to the articles of association within three years — avoidable by formulating it more broadly in advance.
• Having to change the name afterwards. Check with the Chamber of Commerce and the trademark register beforehand. A name that is not available under trademark law will cost you much more than a proper check in advance.
• No holding company was established, even though it would have been appropriate. Building a holding company retrospectively is possible through contribution or a share merger, but it is more expensive than doing so beforehand.
• 50/50 without a shareholders' agreement. A 50/50 BV without an arrangement is a ticking time bomb. Read about shareholders' agreements for 50/50.
• Forgot to register the UBO. Mandatory within eight days — violation carries a fine.

Honest recommendation

Setting up a BV is simpler for most entrepreneurs than they initially think — especially via an online process. The most difficult questions are not the steps, but the choices leading up to them: structure, name, purpose description, capital, and any holding company. Discuss this with a lawyer and accountant before you go to the notary. An hour of thought beforehand often prevents a €750 amendment to the articles of association later on.

For the basics: what is a BV. For the legal infrastructure after incorporation: the shareholders' agreement.

Frequently Asked Questions