Do I need a corporate service provider to set up a company in the Netherlands as a foreigner?
There is no legal requirement to use a corporate service provider. However, in practice a licensed trust office handles the registered address, local director, and KYC/compliance requirements that are difficult to satisfy without an existing Dutch presence.
What is a trust office (trustkantoor) in the Netherlands?
A trust office is a Dutch service provider licensed by the Dutch Central Bank (DNB). A Dutch trust office provides entity formation, domiciliation, and director services to legal entities. Local Management is a DNB-licensed trust office.