There is no single price for using a trust office to manage a Dutch entity. The cost depends on the structure, the services you need and how complex the set-up is. Local Management provides a fixed proposal after an initial, no-obligation scoping conversation, so you know the full cost before you commit.
What Determines the Cost
Four factors have the largest effect on the fee:
- The number and type of entities. A single Dutch BV costs less to manage than a group of holding and operating companies.
- The scope of services. Fees differ depending on whether you need only a registered office (domiciliation), or also a managing director, bookkeeping, corporate secretarial support and compliance work.
- Complexity and jurisdictions. Structures with foreign shareholders, cross-border financing or several tax jurisdictions need more review and documentation.
- The client’s risk profile. A trust office must carry out client due diligence, including identifying the ultimate beneficial owners, before it takes you on. Complex ownership takes longer to verify.
One-Off Costs and Recurring Costs
Costs usually fall into two groups. One-off costs cover the incorporation or take-over of the entity and the onboarding checks. Recurring costs cover the ongoing services, such as management, domiciliation, bookkeeping and filings, and are normally charged monthly, quarterly or annually.
What Is Usually Not Included
Some costs are paid to third parties and are separate from the trust office fee. These typically include the civil-law notary for the deed of incorporation (a BV must be incorporated by notarial deed), Chamber of Commerce (KvK) fees, a tax adviser or auditor, and bank charges. Always ask which costs are inside the fee and which are on top.
Why Ask for a Fixed Proposal
A fixed proposal shows what you pay for each service, so later changes in scope do not come as a surprise. To prepare one, a trust office needs to know your intended structure, who the shareholders and ultimate beneficial owners are, which services you want, and what activity to expect, such as the number of transactions and bank accounts.
Questions to Ask Any Trust Office
Before you choose, check that the office holds a licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) under the Wtt 2018, ask who will act as director of your entity, what happens to the fee if your scope changes, and what the notice period and exit terms are.
Want a Cost Estimate for Your Structure?
Talk to Rolf Wemmi, Director of Corporate Clients at Local Management, via rolf@localmanagement.nl or +31 20 737 2217.