Netherlands · Investment
Foreign investment rules, incentives, investment promotion agencies, and restricted sectors.
AI-drafted, editorially reviewed. Confirm specifics with the official authority.
The Netherlands welcomes foreign investment through the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), with EU free movement of capital and no exchange controls. A security-screening act (Vifo) reviews sensitive-sector deals; incentives include the Innovation Box (low tax on IP income), R&D wage-tax credit (WBSO) and a strong treaty network. Profits repatriate freely.
Inward investment is supported by the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA); a national-security screening applies to investments in vital providers and sensitive technology.
- The NFIA provides free, confidential help to foreign companies investing in the Netherlands.
- Investments in vital providers or sensitive technology may require security screening.
- The country offers a competitive innovation and R&D incentive environment.
- 1
Check the investment regime
The Netherlands welcomes FDI with EU free movement of capital; the NFIA supports investors.
- 2
Check security screening (Vifo)
The Vifo act screens acquisitions of vital providers and sensitive technology; check whether your deal needs notification.
- 3
Choose your vehicle and register
Set up a BV (or branch), register with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) and with the tax authority.
- 4
Access incentives
Use the Innovation Box (reduced tax on qualifying IP income), the WBSO R&D wage-tax credit and the extensive tax-treaty network.
- 5
Handle capital and repatriation
There are no exchange controls, so capital, dividends and profits move freely within the EU and abroad.
- 6
Meet reporting and protections
File any Vifo notifications and keep corporate/tax filings; EU law and the treaty network protect investors.
- Open regime (EU free capital) + NFIA
- Vifo security screening (vital/sensitive sectors)
- BV/branch + KVK + tax
- Innovation Box + WBSO + treaty network
- No exchange controls (free flows)
- Vifo notifications + corporate/tax filings
- EU-law + investment-treaty protection
- CTA to .com/.ai for AI-assisted planning
- Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA)
National investment-promotion agency.
Frequently asked questions
Does the Netherlands screen foreign investment?
Only for vital providers and sensitive technology under the Vifo act; most investment is entirely free with EU capital movement.
What is the Innovation Box?
A Dutch tax regime taxing qualifying income from self-developed intellectual property at a reduced effective corporate-tax rate.
Can I repatriate profits from the Netherlands?
Yes — the Netherlands has no exchange controls and an extensive tax-treaty network, so dividends and capital move freely and efficiently.
Government portals
- Government of the Netherlands — Central government policy and public-service portal
- Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) — Residence permits, visas, and naturalisation
- Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) — Dutch income tax, VAT, and tax-number registration
- Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) — Company registration and the business register