This economic profile presents the Doing Business indicators for Netherlands. To allow useful comparison, it also provides data for other selected economies (comparator economies) for each indicator. The data in this report are current as of June
1, 2014 (except for the paying taxes indicators, which cover the period January–December 2013).

Overview of Netherlands Economy – This page summarizes Doing Business 2015 data for the Netherlands. The first section presents the Ease of Doing Business rank (out of 189 economies) and the distance to frontier (DTF)** measure, overall and by topic. The second section summarizes the key indicators for each topic benchmarked against regional averages.

The Netherlands’ economic freedom score is 73.7, making its economy the 17th freest in the 2015 Index. Its score has decreased by 0.5 point since last year, reflecting declines in four of the 10 economic freedoms, including business freedom and freedom from corruption, that outweigh a significant gain in labor freedom. The Netherlands is ranked 8th out of 43 countries in the Europe region.

Netherlands Business Cycle tracer with statistics of each business sector in the Netherlands.

For foreign companies wishing to establish their business in the Netherlands and to take advantage of the Dutch business environment as a strategic base to cover Europe

This site discusses the various business structures available in the Netherlands

There are basically two different forms of legal business entities in the Netherlands

This site provides a detailed summary of the bureaucratic and legal hurdles faced by entrepreneurs wishing to incorporate and register a new firm in Netherlands.

Every company and legal entity in the Netherlands must register as such in the trade register.

Profitability is your company’s first priority. You’ll find the Netherlands’ corporate tax structure advantageous to achieving your goals.

Tax rates and tax brackets in the Netherlands

The Corporate Tax Rate in Netherlands stands at 25 percent. Corporate Tax Rate in Netherlands averaged 34.36 percent from 1981 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 48 percent in 1982 and a record low of 25 percent in 2011. Corporate Tax Rate in Netherlands is reported by the Tax and Customs Administration – Belastingdienst.

Currently it is not foreseen that the Dutch corporate income tax reate for the year 2016 would be different than the Dutch corporate income tax rate for the year 2015.

The Personal Income Tax Rate in Netherlands stands at 52 percent. Personal Income Tax Rate in Netherlands averaged 54.40 percent from 1995 until 2014, reaching an all time high of 60 percent in 1996 and a record low of 52 percent in 2001. Personal Income Tax Rate in Netherlands is reported by the Tax and Customs Administration – Belastingdienst.

In the Netherlands is a progressive tax on wages, profits, social security benefits and pensions. Individuals living in the Netherlands and individuals, who do not live in the Netherlands, but who receive income from the Netherlands are liable for income tax. 

The Sales Tax Rate in Netherlands stands at 21 percent. Sales Tax Rate in Netherlands averaged 19.28 percent from 2000 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 21 percent in 2013 and a record low of 17.50 percent in 2000. Sales Tax Rate in Netherlands is reported by the Tax and Customs Administration – Belastingdienst.

The value added tax system in the Netherlands corresponds with that currently used by all other EU-states. 

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for up to 90 days, you may require a Schengen visa.

Netherlands Visa and Passport Requirements for travel

Netherlands Visa and Passport Requirements for work

Infrastructure, power, and communications

The Netherlands is both a very densely populated and a highly developed country, in which transport is a key factor of the economy. Correspondingly it has a very dense and modern infrastructure, facilitating transport with road, rail, air and water networks.

The Netherlands has excellent public transport links, and the swipecard payment system OV-chipkaart is the official transport payment system for the metro, bus and tram throughout the Netherlands. 

The Netherlands hosts the largest Internet hub in Europe. As a result of the government’s stimulation of Internet usage, the Netherlands is at the top of the list for access among major European countries. All common IT service providers available in the U.S. are available in the Netherlands.

The Dutch telecom market has one of the most progressive broadband sectors in the world, with effective cross-platform competition further stimulated by numerous fibre deployments.

Unemployment insurance pays 70 per cent of the last earned wage for a period of time

Scope of employment regulations including minimum wage, worktime restrictions, employee representation

Overview of the most important rules: work permit, contracts, dismissal, (special) leave, diploma evaluation.

Dutch laws covering employment and contracts in the Netherlands are many and various.

The rules and application process for unemployment benefits

conditional on a means and a work test.

Cost of living information includes price indices for rent, food, utilities, transportation, restaurants, clothing and more

The dos and don’ts of business etiquette in the Netherlands

See “Etiquette and Customs in The Netherlands” on this site

The Netherlands have a temperate maritime climate influenced by the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean, with cool summers and moderate winters. Daytime temperatures varies from 2°C-6°C in the winter and 17°C-20°C in the summer. 

Holland, with its long North Sea coast, has a typically moderate marine climate. The sea’s influence ensures that we are not too cold during winter, not too hot in the summer

US Department of State – Go to Safety and Security for updates from the Dutch government

Finding the right school is a big decision for expat families, but a good range of options exist in the Netherlands, including an excellent public school system. Those relocating therefore need not be overly concerned about the standard of education in the Netherlands.

This site provides the essentials on education in the Netherlands, from primary and secondary schooling, through higher education to teaching in the Netherlands with foreign credentials.

As with many other European countries, the cost of living in the Netherlands has gone up with the introduction of the Euro

The Netherlands has only one official public holiday, being the King’s Birthday on 27 April each year. Apart from that, there a number of holidays generally recognised and provided to employees by their employers 

Demographic information includes population, quality of life, health, sports, technology, energy and the environment

Features a map and brief descriptions of geography, economy, government, and people.

A complete listing of holidays in the Netherlands for 2015. There on 10 national holidays including the King’s birthday on April 27

Netherlands import value is $525B+, $33B+ from the United States

Netherlands Trade, Exports and Imports

When importing goods into the Netherlands from outside the European Union (EU), you will usually have to pay import duties. You will also have to pay VAT and in some cases excise duty, consumption tax or other levies.

Treaty of Friendship, Commerce and Navigation between the United States of America and the Kingdom of the Netherlands

The United States and the Netherlands share a liberal economic outlook and firm commitment to free trade.

For a relatively small country, the Netherlands offers a wide range of places to stay, from standard hotels to seaside vacation parks and former monasteries. If you’re looking for accommodations that are distinctly Dutch, interesting options include historic canal houses, houseboats and even windmills.

As flat as a local pannenkoek, the Netherlands is a land of colourful tulip fields and canals, sophisticated cities and some of the most striking coastline in Northern Europe. It punches well above its weight culturally, laying claim to the likes of Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Mondrian, amongst others.

The Netherlands really is a land of windmills, tulips, and canals, while being a progressive 21st-century nation.