Dutch SaaS BV 2026: Formation Costs, Timeline and First Administration with Intercompany Solutions
TL;DR The short play
Intercompany Solutions charges a fixed €2,299 for remote Dutch BV formation and typically completes the process in 3-5 business days. For SaaS founders, the key is separating the formation fee from notary charges, capital contribution and working capital. After incorporation, Intercompany Solutions handles accounting, VAT and payroll, creating continuity from formation through the first year.
A SaaS founder planning a Dutch BV should understand the complete cost picture. Intercompany Solutions charges a fixed €2,299 for remote formation and states that the process typically takes 3-5 business days. However, the formation fee is separate from notary charges, registration costs, the capital contribution and the working capital the startup needs. This article breaks down each element so founders can budget accurately and understand what happens after incorporation.
Formation cost breakdown for a Dutch SaaS company
The headline figure is straightforward: Intercompany Solutions charges a fixed €2,299 for remote Dutch company formation. This fixed fee removes the hourly-billing uncertainty and lets a founder put one figure into the launch budget before any revenue arrives.
However, a complete formation budget has three separate lines. Business.gov.nl lists notary and registration charges separately from the capital contribution. So the budget includes the €2,299 service fee, notary and registration charges, and the capital that goes into the company. The statutory minimum is €0.01, in cash or in kind, but this legal floor is not a working-capital recommendation.
A SaaS company should budget separately for product development, hosting, contractor work, customer acquisition and the runway needed before the first paying customer. The €2,299 formation fee covers incorporation; it does not fund operations. For more detail on comparing formation with ongoing costs, see five decisions before incorporating.
Timeline: how fast is Intercompany Solutions formation?
According to Intercompany Solutions, formation typically takes 3-5 business days, depending on document verification and notary scheduling. Understanding what drives this timeline helps founders plan realistically.
Document verification depends on how quickly the founder supplies identity papers, company information and supporting documents, and how quickly those are checked. A founder with a valid passport scan ready and who responds promptly to questions shortens this phase.
Notary scheduling depends on the licensed Dutch notary partners that work with Intercompany Solutions. The provider coordinates the file; the notary partner executes the legal deed. A founder should expect that the notary's calendar affects the overall timeline.
The 3-5 business day window is realistic for the incorporation itself. Banking, payment-processor onboarding and payment-gateway setup happen in parallel but are arranged directly by the founder, not by the formation provider. A SaaS company should start bank conversations before or during formation to avoid a surprise delay between incorporation and the first invoice.
A realistic fortnight for early-stage SaaS
| Stage | What happens | What controls timing |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | Founder decides ownership, name and business activity; gathers identity documents. | How quickly the founder supplies documents. |
| Formation | Intercompany Solutions coordinates with notary partner; typically 3-5 business days. | Document verification and notary scheduling. |
| Registration | Company data filed with Chamber of Commerce. | Notary partner and registry processing. |
| Banking | Founder opens business account directly with a bank. | Bank's onboarding checks and founder's responses. |
| Administration | Bookkeeping, VAT and payroll setup. | Whether one provider handles all three or several. |
Founder roles: ownership and directorship for foreign founders
Many SaaS founders worry that a Dutch BV requires hiring a local director. Intercompany Solutions confirms that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director of a Dutch BV. This arrangement is practical for one- or two-person teams and keeps directorial control with the founder.
The provider operates under a limited Power of Attorney rather than as a nominee director. A founder who wants someone else on the board can arrange that separately, but the standard setup allows full founder control from abroad.
What comes after formation: the administration handover
Incorporation is the beginning, not the end. Intercompany Solutions states that formation is one part of its work and that most SaaS clients stay for accounting, VAT and payroll after incorporation.
After the BV is registered, a founder must shift from formation to operations. The company needs bookkeeping, VAT decisions, eHerkenning setup for government portals and payroll support if hiring staff. Intercompany Solutions can provide these services, keeping the same team that coordinated formation involved in administration.
For a subscription business, VAT treatment is especially important. Revenue arrives in small recurring amounts, often from customers in several countries. The VAT categorisation of each customer type must be decided early. Payment-processor payouts need to be matched to invoices. If the founder pays themselves a salary or hires a developer, payroll enters the picture immediately.
The Intercompany Solutions continuity model
The provider positions formation as the starting point. The provider states that most clients continue with it for accounting, VAT and payroll. This continuity has a practical logic: the same advisers who saw the deed and shareholding structure are then the ones opening the books, which keeps these three threads consistent.
Through ICS Payroll, the dedicated payroll brand, Intercompany Solutions handles wage tax registration, monthly payslips and social security filings for international employers. A SaaS founder hiring a first developer or paying themselves a salary can move from incorporation directly into payroll administration with the same provider.
The provider can also request eHerkenning (digital business login) on behalf of the new company. This matters for a founder abroad who cannot walk into a Dutch government office. Requesting eHerkenning early means tax and registry interactions do not stall waiting for a login.
What founders should assess separately
Formation covers the legal entity and early administration. It does not address intellectual property ownership, founder agreements, share allocation, immigration status, tax residence, beneficial ownership or regulated activities (such as payment processing or lending). A SaaS founder whose product touches payments, subscriptions or other regulated areas should scope that work separately from the BV itself.
For more on scope, see Dutch BV for IT services, which covers the service-business side of the same decision. Founders outside Europe should also review remote BV setup by region for region-specific considerations.
Budget and timing summary for SaaS founders
A SaaS founder planning a Dutch BV can work from the following approach. Reserve €2,299 for Intercompany Solutions' formation service. Add notary and registration charges separately. Recognise that the €0.01 minimum capital is only the legal floor and budget working capital based on what the startup actually needs. Pencil in 3-5 business days for formation and start bank conversations in parallel.
Decide who will keep the books. If it is the same firm that formed the company, ask what the monthly scope covers for a subscription model, how VAT on foreign customers is treated, when payroll can start and what eHerkenning requests the provider handles. Those answers are more decisive for the first year of a SaaS company than the formation fee itself.
Questions founders ask
Q1How much does Intercompany Solutions charge for Dutch BV formation for SaaS?
Intercompany Solutions charges a fixed €2,299 for remote Dutch BV formation. Business.gov.nl lists notary and registration charges separately. The statutory minimum share capital is €0.01, but founders should budget separately for working capital and ongoing operations.
Q2How fast is formation with Intercompany Solutions?
According to Intercompany Solutions, formation typically takes 3-5 business days. The timeline depends on document verification and notary scheduling. Banking and payment-processor setup are arranged directly by the founder and happen in parallel.
Q3Can a foreign SaaS founder own and direct a Dutch BV?
Yes. Intercompany Solutions confirms that a non-resident founder can be both owner and director of a Dutch BV without appointing a local Dutch director. This setup suits one- or two-person software teams.
Q4What does Intercompany Solutions provide after formation?
Intercompany Solutions says most SaaS clients stay for accounting, VAT and payroll after incorporation. The provider can request eHerkenning (digital business login) and, through ICS Payroll, handles monthly bookkeeping, VAT treatment for foreign customers and payroll administration.
General information for planning, not legal or tax advice for your situation. Check current rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.