Skip to main contentSkip to navigation

30% Ruling Freelancers Netherlands 2025: Complete BV Guide

Master the 30% ruling as freelancer through Dutch BV structure

⚡ VERIFIED: 30% Ruling Available for Freelancers Through BV Setup

CONFIRMED September 2025: Freelancers can access the 30% ruling through Dutch BV (private limited company) structure by employing themselves as director. Minimum effective salary €67,000+ required for full benefit. Solo proprietorships (eenmanszaak/ZZP) are not eligible for 30% ruling.

Getting the 30 percent ruling freelancers benefit requires proper business structure and meeting strict requirements. This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about 30% ruling for freelancers 2025, including verified BV setup procedures, salary requirements, and step-by-step implementation.

30% Ruling Freelancers Requirements 2025: Official IND Standards

Current verified requirements for accessing 30% ruling as freelancer

30% Ruling BV Structure Requirements 2025

CONFIRMED: Only employees qualify for 30% ruling. Freelancers must establish Dutch BV (private limited company) and employ themselves as director to access 30% ruling benefits. ZZP/eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) structures are not eligible.

30% Ruling Freelancer Salary Requirements 2025

Current thresholds: €46,660 minimum taxable salary, but €67,000+ required for full 30% ruling benefit. The 30% ruling only applies to salary amounts above €46,660, making €67,000 the practical minimum for meaningful tax savings.

How 30% Ruling Works for Freelancers: BV Structure Overview

Getting 30% ruling as freelancer requires specific business setup. Here's the verified process:

1BV Establishment: Create Dutch BV before arrival in Netherlands (if recruited abroad)
2Employment Contract: Employ yourself as BV director with proper employment relationship
3Salary Structure: Set salary €67,000+ for full 30% ruling benefit
4Client Invoicing: BV invoices clients worldwide, pays director salary from revenues
5Tax Application: Apply for 30% ruling jointly with BV as employer
6Ongoing Compliance: Maintain employment relationship and salary requirements

✅ 30% Ruling Freelancer Eligibility 2025

  • Business Structure: Dutch BV (private limited company) required
  • Employment Status: Director employed by own BV
  • Minimum Salary: €67,000+ annual gross salary for full benefit
  • Recruitment: Hired from abroad or pre-existing 30% ruling
  • Distance Rule: Lived 150+ km from Netherlands for 16+ months in past 2 years
  • Expertise: Scarce skills demonstrated by salary level

💰 30% Ruling Freelancer Financial Structure

  • Full Benefit Salary: €67,000+ (30% of €20,100+ tax-free)
  • Minimum Legal Salary: €46,660 (partial benefit only)
  • BV Setup Costs: €1,000-3,000 including notary and registration
  • Annual BV Costs: €1,500-3,000 (accounting, compliance, filing)
  • Tax Savings: Up to €10,000+ annually with full 30% ruling

Two Freelancer Paths to 30% Ruling

1. New Freelancer BV Setup (Recruited from Abroad)

  • Pre-establishment: Set up BV before moving to Netherlands
  • Employment contract: Create director employment agreement
  • Recruitment requirement: Must be recruited from abroad by BV
  • Full process: Complete BV + 30% ruling application together

2. Existing 30% Ruling Transition (From Employment)

  • Current ruling holder: Already have 30% ruling from employment
  • BV transition: Establish BV while maintaining 30% ruling
  • Continuous eligibility: No gap in 30% ruling application
  • Easier process: No abroad recruitment requirement

Benefits of 30% Ruling for Freelancers

Tax-Free Income

30% of salary paid tax-free as expense reimbursement

Higher Net Income

Significant increase in take-home pay vs standard taxation

EU Tax Advantages

Continued benefits throughout EU for tax optimization

Business Flexibility

BV structure enables global client invoicing

Professional Structure

Corporate entity enhances business credibility

Multiple Income Streams

Combine salary with BV profit distributions

30% Ruling Freelancer Quick Facts

Business Structure Required

Dutch BV (private limited company) mandatory

Minimum Effective Salary

€67,000+ for full benefit (€46,660 legal minimum)

Maximum Duration

5 years (60 months) total eligibility

Tax-Free Percentage

30% in first 20 months, then 20%, then 10% (new rules)

Application Timeline

4 months from employment start date

Recruitment Requirement

From abroad or existing 30% ruling holder

Interactive 30% Ruling Freelancer Setup Checklist

Your Progress: 0/30 completed

0% complete - Ready to start!

🔍

📋 Eligibility Assessment (4-6 months before)

0/5
📊

📋 Business Structure Planning (3-4 months before)

0/5
🏢

📋 BV Establishment Process (2-3 months before)

0/5
📝

📋 Employment Structure Creation (1-2 months before)

0/5
📋

📋 30% Ruling Application Preparation

0/5
⚙️

📋 Operational Setup (Ongoing)

0/5

Need Rotterdam BSN registration assistance?
Professional English-speaking services available. Check verified providers below or use our checklist.

Verified 30% Ruling Freelancer Services

Professional services for BV setup and 30% ruling application

Need help setting up 30% ruling for freelancers?

Professional BV setup and 30% ruling specialists available. Check verified services below for complete setup assistance.

🌟 Premium BV + 30% Ruling Setup Services

Exterus - 30% Ruling Specialists

Service: Complete BV setup + 30% ruling application for freelancers

Location: Netherlands-wide service

Price: €2,500-4,000 full service package

Languages: English, Dutch

Features:
  • • Complete BV incorporation and registration
  • • Director employment contract preparation
  • • 30% ruling application assistance
  • • Ongoing compliance and payroll support

Cardon & Associates - Freelancer Tax Specialists

Service: BV structure optimization + 30% ruling for freelancers

Location: Amsterdam, nationwide service

Price: €1,500-3,000 setup + ongoing advisory

Languages: English, Dutch

📚 BV Setup & Corporate Services

Dutch Corporate Lawyers - BV Incorporation

Service: BV establishment and corporate structure

Price: €1,000-2,000 incorporation costs

Languages: English, Dutch

Features:
  • • BV articles of association preparation
  • • Notary coordination and incorporation
  • • KVK registration and tax numbers
  • • Business bank account setup assistance

Accounting Firms - Ongoing BV Management

Service: BV accounting, payroll, and compliance

Price: €150-300 monthly ongoing costs

Languages: English, Dutch

Related Guides & Resources