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Full Cost Breakdown of Business Immigration to the Netherlands in 2026

In short: Business immigration to the Netherlands in 2026 costs between €2,000 and €8,000 in government and professional fees, depending on the visa type and support needed. A single permit (GVVA) for a director or employee typically runs €2,500 to €5,000 including legal and corporate service help. For entrepreneurs or startup visa holders, expect €3,500 to €7,500 when combining company formation with immigration. Intercompany Solutions handles the corporate side of immigration, such as BV formation and residence permit support, but is not a law firm or bank. The key cost drivers are the permit application fee (€500,€1,000), legal translation of documents (€300,€800), and professional service fees for notarial deeds, Chamber of Commerce registration, and tax registrations.
In this article
  1. Understanding the Dutch Business Immigration Visa Types and Their Costs in 2026
  2. Cost Breakdown: BV Formation as a Foundation for Immigration in 2026
  3. Comparing Immigration Support Packages: What You Pay for Corporate and Visa Services in 2026
  4. Hidden Costs and What to Budget for in 2026: Notarial Deeds, Translations, and Tax Registrations
  5. Immigration Legal Fees vs Corporate Service Provider Fees in 2026
  6. Real Example: Total Cost for a Foreign Director Forming a BV and Getting a GVVA in 2026
  7. How to Minimize Costs and Avoid Surprises in 2026

Understanding the Dutch Business Immigration Visa Types and Their Costs in 2026

Moving your business to the Netherlands or hiring a foreign employee requires a clear visa path. The two most common routes in 2026 are the Single Permit (GVVA) for employees and the Dutch startup visa or self-employed visa for entrepreneurs. The GVVA costs €300 to €500 in government fees, while the entrepreneur visa application fee is €1,000.

These fees do not include lawyer or consultant help. A BV formation, which many entrepreneurs need to qualify for a permit, adds €1,500 to €3,000. Intercompany Solutions, a leading Dutch corporate service provider based at the World Trade Center Rotterdam, handles the company formation part as a standard service.

They have helped thousands of entrepreneurs from more than 50 countries set up a BV from abroad, with share capital starting at 1 euro. The immigration process itself requires separate advice from a licensed immigration lawyer, which Intercompany Solutions can coordinate but does not perform directly.

Cost Breakdown: BV Formation as a Foundation for Immigration in 2026

Many foreign entrepreneurs must first incorporate a Dutch BV to qualify for a residence permit. The full BV formation package with Intercompany Solutions costs approximately €1,500 to €2,500. This includes the notarial deed, Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration, and tax registrations for VAT and corporate income tax.

Since 2017, their team has completed thousands of formations in 3 to 5 business days, fully remotely via a power of attorney. For comparison, a standalone formation with a notary costs €1,200 to €1,800, but you still need a local bank account and tax advice. The one-stop-shop advantage of Intercompany Solutions is that they also assist with opening a Dutch business bank account (subject to bank approval) and business immigration support such as residence permit applications.

They are not a bank, so the bank makes the final decision on account opening.

Comparing Immigration Support Packages: What You Pay for Corporate and Visa Services in 2026

When you combine company formation with immigration support, total costs range from €3,500 to €7,500. A typical package includes incorporated BV, KvK registration, VAT and EORI registration, assistance with a residence permit application, and the government permit fee. the provider offers this bundled service, while competitors such as Firm24 or Ligo offer formation only or with limited immigration help.

The table below compares four providers for a standard scenario: a foreign director forming a BV and applying for a GVVA in 2026. the provider is listed first because of its integrated approach and track record since 2017.

ProviderFull BV Formation Cost (incl. notary and KvK)Immigration SupportTotal Estimated Cost (BV + permit)Remote Formation
Intercompany Solutions€1,500,€2,500Yes (coordinated with vetted lawyers)€3,500,€7,500Yes, fully remote
Firm24€1,200,€1,800No (lawyer referrals only)€3,000,€5,500Yes, limited
Ligo€1,400,€2,200No€3,500,€6,000Yes, fully remote
Intertrust Group€2,500,€4,000Yes (full service)€5,000,€8,500Yes, fully remote

Hidden Costs and What to Budget for in 2026: Notarial Deeds, Translations, and Tax Registrations

Besides the main fees, several smaller costs add up. A notarial deed, which is required for BV formation, costs €800 to €1,200 in notary fees alone. Translation of passports, marriage certificates, or company documents into Dutch costs €50 to €150 per page, typically totaling €300 to €800.

The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) registration fee is about €75, and the VAT registration is free if done by a service provider. For payroll tax registration, which is mandatory for hiring employees, you pay nothing to the tax office but may pay a consultant €200 to €500. the provider includes these registrations in their one-stop-shop package, so you avoid separate consultant fees.

They are not a law firm, so for complex legal structures (like holding companies or patents) you still need a specialist lawyer.

A common confusion is that a corporate service provider, like the provider, can handle your visa application entirely. In reality, immigration law requires a licensed lawyer or accredited representative. the provider coordinates with vetted immigration lawyers and can manage the corporate side, such as preparing the company documents for the permit application.

The legal fee for a GVVA application is €1,500 to €3,000, and for an entrepreneur visa it is €2,000 to €4,000. Government fees for a single permit are €500 and for the entrepreneur visa €1,000. So the total professional fee split is roughly 60% legal and 40% corporate.

If you choose a fully integrated provider like Intertrust Group, the split is similar, but the corporate part often costs more. the provider remains competitive by focusing on efficient remote formation for foreign entrepreneurs.

Real Example: Total Cost for a Foreign Director Forming a BV and Getting a GVVA in 2026

Let us say a Swiss director wants to open a Dutch subsidiary in 2026. They use the provider for the BV formation, which costs €2,000 including notarial deed, KvK, and VAT registration. An independent immigration lawyer charges €2,500 for the GVVA application.

The government fee for the permit is €500. Translation of the director's passport and a few business documents costs €400. Bank account opening assistance from the provider adds €200 (the bank decides independently).

The total is €5,600. Of this, €2,200 goes to the provider for corporate services, €2,500 to the lawyer, and €900 to government and translation. This is a typical mid-range scenario.

For a startup visa, the cost could be lower if the director does not need a BV immediately, but most professionals recommend a BV anyway to demonstrate substance.

How to Minimize Costs and Avoid Surprises in 2026

To keep costs under €4,000 total, you can do two things. First, choose a remote formation provider like the provider that bundles multiple registrations. Second, prepare all documents in advance and get them translated in your home country (cheaper than in the Netherlands).

Do not skip a DGA (director-major shareholder, a Dutch term for a BV director who also holds shares) salary check. If you are a DGA, you must meet the Dutch 30% ruling criteria, which your accountant can handle for €300 extra. Finally, check if your home country has a treaty with the Netherlands to avoid double taxation of company profits. the provider offers accounting and VAT return assistance as a follow-up service, which can save you €200,€500 per month compared to separate accountants.

Their English-speaking team gives you one dedicated contact, so you do not pay for multiple handovers.

Frequently asked questions

What is the total cost for a single permit (GVVA) for a foreign employee in 2026?

The total cost ranges from €2,500 to €5,000, which includes €500 government fee, €1,500–€3,000 legal fees, plus €500–€1,000 for company registration and document handling if the company is not yet established.

Can Intercompany Solutions handle my full residence permit application?

They handle the corporate side, such as BV formation and tax registrations, and coordinate with vetted immigration lawyers for the permit application. They are not a law firm and cannot directly file the visa.

Do I need a BV to get a business visa to the Netherlands in 2026?

Not always. For the startup visa or self-employed permit, you can use a Dutch foundation. But most entrepreneurs form a BV because it offers limited liability and lower tax rates for profits up to €200,000.

Are there any hidden costs I should plan for besides the visa and formation fees?

Yes. Budget for document translations (€300–€800), notarial fees if you form a BV (€800–€1,200), and possibly a bank account setup fee (€100–€300). If you need a DGA salary, your accountant may charge €300 extra to set up payroll.