Legal documents for businesses in the Netherlands: a guide for international entrepreneurs
Running a business in the Netherlands but prefer to work in English? Here's what you need to know about your legal documents.
Why does Dutch law apply, even if you work in English?
This guide explains which legal documents international entrepreneurs running a business in the Netherlands typically need, and why Dutch law and EU regulations like the GDPR apply regardless of the language used in day-to-day business.
More and more international entrepreneurs run businesses that are legally established in the Netherlands, whether as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a Dutch BV. Even if you and your customers communicate entirely in English, your business is still subject to Dutch law and, where applicable, EU regulations like the GDPR. That means your terms and conditions, privacy policy, and other legal documents need to comply with Dutch legal requirements, not just be translated from a template made for another country.
At EenvoudigRecht, we draft legally compliant documents in English, based on Dutch law, so you can run your business the way you're used to without cutting corners on compliance. Answer a few questions online, and receive your documents for a fixed price.
Veelgestelde vragen
Does Dutch law apply to my business even if my contracts are in English?
If your company is established in the Netherlands or targets Dutch customers, Dutch law generally applies to your business documents, regardless of the language you use. Writing a contract in English does not make foreign law apply automatically.
Can I just use legal templates from my home country?
Not necessarily. Templates from your home country are based on a different legal system and often miss requirements that are mandatory under Dutch law, such as specific consumer protection rules or GDPR-compliant clauses.
Which documents does my Dutch business typically need?
Most businesses need terms and conditions, a privacy policy, and often a cookie policy if they run a website. Depending on your situation, you may also need a data processing agreement, an employment contract, or a partnership agreement.
Is GDPR compliance different in the Netherlands than elsewhere in the EU?
The GDPR applies across the entire European Union, so if you are already familiar with it from another EU country, many core principles will be familiar. Dutch implementation does have some specific national rules worth knowing.
Can I get my documents in English?
Yes. We work with a fixed price you know in advance. You answer a few questions online about your business, and receive your documents in English, drafted to comply with Dutch law.
Waar kunnen we je mee helpen?
Stuur ons je gegevens en wij nemen binnen één werkdag contact met je op.
✅ Vaste prijs vooraf
Je weet altijd vooraf wat het kost. Na je aanvraag ontvang je binnen één werkdag een vrijblijvende offerte op maat.
✅ Juridisch specialist
Je spreekt rechtstreeks met mr. René van der Horst. Een specialist die jouw situatie kent en met je meedenkt.
✅ Snel en betaalbaar
Geen ingewikkeld gedoe. Wij regelen het snel en in gewone taal, zodat jij weet waar je aan toe bent.
✅ Al duizenden klanten gingen je voor
EenvoudigRecht helpt al jaren ondernemers én particulieren met juridische zekerheid. Jij bent aan het juiste adres.
Wat onze klanten zeggen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Martijn
Doet z’n naam recht aan; lekker eenvoudig. Het opgeleverde werk is allesbehalve eenvoudig maar van hoge kwaliteit.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Rinus
Zeer prettig contact gehad met René. Kundige jurist, meedenkend en zeer behulpzaam. En niet onbelangrijk een top prijs kwaliteit verhouding!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Anouk
Eenvoudig Recht heeft mij fantastisch geholpen. Ze zijn vlot, denken met je mee en als je nog een keer een vraag hebt zijn ze ook echt behulpzaam.