Netherlands: Investing

FDI in Figures

According to UNCTAD's World Investment Report 2023, FDI flows to the Netherlands were negative by USD 168.4 billion in 2023, a trend that continued since 2020. At the end of the same period, the total stock of FDI stood at USD 2.67 trillion, one of the highest in the world. As per the latest available figures from CBS, in 2022, multinationals made up 2% of Dutch businesses (26.4 thousand firms) and accounted for 19% of employment. The U.S. led foreign-owned firms with 3,130 companies, while Germany, the UK, Belgium, and France jointly comprised 44%. German, French, and UK firms were the largest employers, with Belgian companies providing fewer jobs. According to data by CBS, the countries holding the majority of the FDI stock as of 2023 were the U.S. (USD 540 billion), the UK (USD 444 billion), Germany (USD 237 billion), and Luxembourg (USD 210 billion). The majority of foreign-owned multinationals in the Netherlands are active in the wholesale and retail trade sector (around 37%), followed by specialised business services (17%), manufacturing (13%), and information and communication (12% - CBS). According to the latest figures from the OECD, FDI inflows to the Netherlands reached USD 23.5 billion in the first semester of 2024.

The Netherlands is one of the largest recipients and sources of FDI globally. The Dutch investment policy is characterized by a strong international orientation and a liberal policy towards foreign investment. Many Dutch companies are multinational by nature and some of these are listed on foreign stock markets. The Netherlands offer a competitive fiscal climate, advanced infrastructures, and a strategic location, and treats foreign and domestic nationals equally in establishing and operating private companies. On the other hand, the country has a small internal market and is heavily dependent on the economic performance of its partners (especially in the EU). Sector-specific screening regimes are in place for the telecommunication sector, electricity and gas. On June 1, 2023, the FDI Act, officially known as the Security Screening of Investment, Mergers and Acquisitions Act, came into effect. This legislation imposes a mandatory notification requirement for investments in target undertakings across various sectors, including nuclear energy, gas and extractable energy, transportation, heat transport networks, banking and financial sectors, military goods, and items classified as dual-use, among others. Unlike FDI screening mechanisms in certain EU member states, the FDI Act adopts a "country-neutral" approach, encompassing Acquisition Activities not only from non-EU investors but also from those within the EU and, notably, within the Netherlands. The country’s excellent business climate is shown in its standing in international rankings, as it stands 9th out of 67 economies in the Global Competitiveness Ranking. It also ranks 8th among the 133 countries on the Global Innovation Index 2024 and 11th out of 184 on the latest Index of Economic Freedom.

Foreign Direct Investment	2020	2021	2022
FDI Inward Flow (million USD)	-86,507	-77,453	-67,340
FDI Stock (million USD)	2,721,329	2,744,450	2,683,600
Number of Greenfield Investments*	293	319	322
Value of Greenfield Investments (million USD)	6,841	8,482	8,980

Source: UNCTAD, Latest data available.

Note: * Greenfield Investments are a form of Foreign Direct Investment where a parent company starts a new venture in a foreign country by constructing new operational facilities from the ground up.

FDI STOCKS BY COUNTRY AND INDUSTRY

Main Investing Countries	2022, in %
USA	23.1
United Kingdom	15.9
Germany	9.2
Luxembourg	8.6
France	4.0
Belgium	3.2
Switzerland	3.2
Ireland	3.1
Singapore	3.0

Main Invested Sectors	2022, in %
Financial and insurance activities	57.9
Manufacture of petroleum, chemical, pharmaceutical, rubber and plastic products	13.6
Wholesale and retail trade	6.1
Information and communication	5.0
Professional, scientific and technical activities	3.4
Administrative and support service activities	3.1

Source: OECD Statistics, Latest data available.

Form of Company Preferred By Foreign Investors: N. V. (Public Limited Liability Company)
Form of Establishment Preferred By Foreign Investors: Company
Main Foreign Companies: National Foreign Investment Agency has stories and names on their website.
Sources of Statistics: Dutch Statistics Agency
Dutch National Bank

What to consider if you invest in the Netherlands

Strong Points

The main assets of the country's economy are :

An overall stable political and macroeconomic environment above the European average, healthy public finances and a highly developed financial sector;
Highly developed communication and transport infrastructures
A qualified, productive and multilingual workforce that makes it suitable for export trade
A strategic geographical location, which makes it a gateway to the main European markets
Exports are diversified and external accounts are in surplus thanks to export-friendly structures and infrastructure.

Weak Points

The main weaknesses of the country for FDI are:

High costs of the workforce
The small size of the internal market
A great dependence on the world economic situation and, in particular, the EU
Banks dependent on wholesale financing and real estate

Government Measures to Motivate or Restrict FDI

The Dutch government offers several types of financial support: grants, tax incentives, guarantees, credits, participations, subordinated loans stimulating innovation and sustainable foreign investment and entrepreneurship.

The WBSO (Research and Development Act). This is an R&D tax credit from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. It aims to offer entrepreneurs an incentive to invest in R&D, allowing companies to decrease costs for R&D.
Energy Investment Allowance (EIA): allows companies to deduct 45% of the investment cost of energy-saving equipment from the taxable profit in addition to the deduction of the customary depreciation.
Environmental Investment Deduction (MIA): allows companies to deduct up to 36% of the investment costs for an environmentally friendly investment on top of the regular investment tax deductions
Arbitrary depreciation of environmental investments (Vamil): allows companies to amortize 75% of the investment costs of a qualifying environmentally friendly investment at once.
Innovation box: Income that is a result from R&D is taxed at an effective rate of 7% (the normal tax rate is 25%).
Dutch Good Growth Fund supports SMEs that are prepared to invest in developing countries and emerging markets.
Export Credit Insurance is focused on promoting Dutch exports.

Moreover there are the regional incentives offered by the EU:
The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The ERDF is mainly focused on strengthening economic and social cohesion in the EU by correcting imbalances between its regions.
The European Territorial Co-operation (INTERREG). This programme, which is financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), finances and supports international co-operation within particular European regions.

All government measures can be consulted on the website of the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency.

Protection of Foreign Investment

Bilateral Investment Conventions Signed By the Netherlands: The Netherlands has signed BITs with a large number of countries. You can consult the list on the UNCTAD's website.
International Controversies Registered By UNCTAD: The ISDS Navigator contains information about known international arbitration cases initiated by investors against States pursuant to international investment agreements. The Netherlands is involved in 114 cases as Home State of claimant.
Organizations Offering Their Assistance in Case of Disagreement: ICCWBO , International court of arbitration, International chamber of commerce
ICSID , International Center for settlement of Investment Disputes
Member of the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency: The Netherlands has been a member of MIGA convention since its creation.

Country Comparison For the Protection of Investors	Netherlands	OECD	United States	Germany
Index of Transaction Transparency*	4.0	6.5	7.0	5.0
Index of Manager’s Responsibility**	4.0	5.3	9.0	5.0
Index of Shareholders’ Power***	6.0	7.3	9.0	5.0

Source: The World Bank - Doing Business, Latest data available.

Procedures Relative to Foreign Investment

Freedom of Establishment: Guaranteed.
Acquisition of Holdings: A majority holding interest in the capital of a Dutch company is legal. Depending on the sector the target company is operating in, specific regulatory approvals or notifications may be required. This is the case for acquisitions of target companies operating in the financial, healthcare or energy sectors.
Obligation to Declare: No specific text of law regulates foreign direct investments. Their regime is adjusted the refine applied for national investments. The supervision of mergers is shared by Dutch and European authorities.
Competent Organisation For the Declaration: Dutch Ministry of Finance
Requests For Specific Authorisations: The Netherlands does not have foreign restrictions to investments. However, in some specific strategic sectors, limitations apply for national security purposes. These sectors are: defence and security, energy, public broadcasting, finance, transportation, the media, postal services.

Office Real Estate and Land Ownership

Possible Temporary Solutions: Companies are ensured a wide selection of prime office space to rent or purchase (such as Instant Offices).
In addition, the Netherlands has fully furnished and equipped business support centers available for rent, enabling new companies to hit the ground running with minimal start-up costs. Office space in these centers may be rented by the hour, day, month, year or longer.
The Possibility of Buying Land and Industrial and Commercial Buildings: There are no restrictions on the foreign ownership or occupation of real estate.
Risk of Expropriation: Expropriation would only take place in case of public interest and with adequate compensation. Up until now there have been no expropriations recorded.

Investment Aid

Forms of Aid: The Dutch government offers several types of financial support: grants, tax incentives, guarantees, credits, participations, subordinated loans.
Concerning new businesses and investment incentives, investors can contact the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) and the Netherlands Foreign Trade Agency.
Privileged Domains: The areas for which incentives are available are: technology and research and development, human resources, expanding or establishing businesses, exports, energy and environmentally friendly measures. Other industry sectors that are attractive to invest are the computer software, computer industries, chemicals, security equipment, medical equipment and pollution control (equipment) among others.
Laws and regulations that affect FDI apply equally to foreign and domestic companies.
Privileged Geographical Zones: Randstad area is the most interesting to invest in due to its location (near Schiphol Airport and the Rotterdam Port)
Free-trade zones: The Netherlands has no free trade zones (FTZs) or free ports where commodities can be processed or reprocessed tax-free. However, FTZs exist for bonded storage, cargo consolidation, and reconfiguration of non-EU goods.
Public aid and funding organisations: The Dutch national bank and the European bank loan at favorable rates.

Investment Opportunities

The Key Sectors of the National Economy: Agro industries, fishing, metal and engineering products, electrical machinery and equipment, chemicals, petroleum, construction and microelectronics.
High Potential Sectors: Computer software, computer services, automotive parts and accessories, seaport & airport security equipment and systems, transport and distribution services, aircraft parts and associated equipment, medical equipment and supplies and pollution control equipment.
Privatization Programmes: There are no ongoing privatization programs in the Netherlands.
Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: EBP , Tenders and Projects in Netherlands
Tenders Info , Tenders in Netherlands
Ted - Tenders Electronic daily , Business opportunities in EU 27
DgMarket , Tenders Worldwide

Sectors Where Investment Opportunities Are Fewer

Monopolistic Sectors: The Dutch state monopoly on Holland Casino was to be privatised by 2020, but a surprise political opposition in early 2019 forced the process to stop.
The government has divested its complete ownership of many public utilities, but in a number of strategic sectors, private investment – including foreign investment – may be subject to limitations or conditions. These include transportation, energy, defense and security, finance, postal services, public broadcasting, and the media.

Finding Assistance For Further Information

Investment Aid Agency: Invest in Holland (Foreign Investment Agency of the Netherlands)
Holland Trade and Invest (Foreign Trade Agency of the Netherlands)
Other Useful Resources: Business.gov.nl (Dutch Government's information platform for entrepreneurs)
Doing Business Guides: Investment in the Netherlands (KPMG)
Deloitte Tax Guide - Netherlands
Doing business in the Netherlands - UHY

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