How to Expand Your Business to the Netherlands
If you are a business owner looking to expand to a new country, the Netherlands is one of the most exciting and enticing places to consider. An EU Member State with a fantastic location, superb international trade links and transport routes, brilliant logistics, tax incentives, and an impressive workforce and visa processes, there are few better places for you to maximise your business and reach a whole new audience.
Outsource Your Data Protection Processes
As with any business, in any location, it is important that you understand the laws and regulations that will apply to your business in the country you are setting up in. Finding an ‘uitbesteden functionaris gegevensbescherming’ or ‘outsourced data protection officer’ should be one of the first things that you do when setting up your business in the Netherlands. Expanding a business into a different country takes guts, hard work, and determination, but you also must be accurate in what you do. A native Dutch speaker to represent you in the Netherlands and advise on all aspects of data privacy and GDPR will provide that safety net and precise work processes that sets your business up for success as you expand your operations.
The Steps To Expand Your Business To The Netherlands
There are a few different steps you need to go through in order to expand a business to the Netherlands and begin operations in the country. If you are methodical with these steps and you take every precaution and necessary evaluation, taking on board expert guidance and assistance, you’ll have a much better chance of success in scaling your business within this vibrant EU Member State.
- Determine the legality of expansion – It is important to look at your expansion and whether or not it is achievable. It is easier to do so as an EU national, an EEA member, or a Swiss national, but there are eligibility checks you can do to see if your business can make the jump to expansion within the Netherlands. Seek professional assistance when looking at your options and working through this first step.
- Have a clear business plan – You’ll know the importance of a business plan from starting your business in the first place, and the various stages of growth that you’ll have gone through. It is a critical component of an expansion plan, including research into the target market, profit forecasts, funding options, and the entire outlook for your business.
- Choose the correct structure for your business – Decide which legal structure your business should take. This could be as a; sole proprietor or trader (eenmanszaak), professional or public partnership (maatschap), general or commercial partnership (vennootschap onder firma), or a limited partnership (commanditaire vennootschap).
- Look for permits and licences – There are some industries that are more heavily regulated than others. Make sure that you acquire the necessary and relevant licences and permits in order to operate legally in the Netherlands. Familiarise yourself with Dutch labour laws.
- Register the business – Register the business with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, who will pass the details onto Dutch Tax and Administration.
- Begin hiring staff – The Netherlands has an attractive migrant visa programme that makes it easy to hire staff from abroad. This will make it easier for your business to bring expert employees with you when you first expand to the country. Beyond that, you should at this stage look to hire staff from the local population.
The Joy of Business in The Netherlands
If you are successful in opening your business in the Netherlands and expanding your operations across borders, you’ll benefit hugely as a company and as a brand. There are many different reasons why you should consider expanding your business to the Netherlands. It is a prime location in the West of Europe. It has good international transportation and trade links with the UK, North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. There is a mobile, well-trained, multilingual workforce, great tax incentives for foreign investment and businesses, as well as a ready-made market of varied towns and cities with a good business culture.
Hiring a DPO in the Netherlands to keep on top of all data security and privacy regulations on your behalf is a smart move for a business owner looking to expand to the Netherlands. You must be accurate in everything you do, adhering to precise regulations that are applicable within each country you operate in. A Dutch speaker that represents you as you move into a new country is the perfect way to make sure it is a smooth and effective transition and that you can grow your business with as few risks as possible. Finding the right support is crucial to your move into the Netherlands.
