Curaçao or Netherlands: where should you start a business?
The Netherlands ranks higher in the index, 10 against 19. Which suits you depends on where the owners live, what the company is for and how it will be run.
Pillar by pillar
Doing business, side by side
Tax
Profit tax is 15% up to NAf 500,000 and 22% above, according to a local law firm and a gazette report. Turnover tax is charged at 6%.
Taxable profit up to €200,000 is taxed at 19% and profit above it at 25.8%, rates that have applied from 2023 to 2026. VAT is 21%.
Set-up
A limited company is incorporated by notarial deed before a Curaçao civil-law notary and registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
A BV is formed by a civil-law notary, with fees the government puts at €500 to €1,500, and registration costs €85.15. No standard time is published.
On the ground
Managing directors of an NV can be of any nationality, although in some cases one must be resident. There is no company-law minimum capital.
Official pages state no residence requirement for directors. A director living abroad is registered with a legalised passport copy and proof of address.
Ownership
The UBO register in force since 8 June 2024 is closed. Unrestricted access is limited to authorities such as the Central Bank and the FIU.
Public access ended on 16 July 2025, according to law firm reports. Access is now limited to authorities and obliged entities such as gatekeepers.
Residence
A business investment from XCG 500,000 gives a three-year permit, from XCG 750,000 a five-year permit, and from XCG 1,500,000 an indefinite one.
The start-up permit requires a facilitator and lasts at most one year, after which a points-based self-employed permit can follow. US nationals have a treaty route.
Living and working
Currency
Caribbean guilder.
Euro.
Time zone
UTC-4.
UTC+1, and UTC+2 in summer.
Personal tax
The top marginal rate in 2026 is 46.5% on income above Cg 162,894.
Income above €78,426 is taxed at 49.50% (2026, below pension age); investments are taxed at 36% on a deemed return.
Flights
KLM, TUI and Corendon fly to Europe; American, JetBlue, United, Delta, Air Canada and WestJet to North America; Copa also serves it.
Language
English, Dutch and Papiamentu are the official languages.
The Netherlands Commercial Court works in English and issues its judgments in English.
Curaçao vs Netherlands: common questions
Curaçao: Profit tax is 15% up to NAf 500,000 and 22% above, according to a local law firm and a gazette report. Turnover tax is charged at 6%. The Netherlands: Taxable profit up to €200,000 is taxed at 19% and profit above it at 25.8%, rates that have applied from 2023 to 2026. VAT is 21%.
Curaçao: A limited company is incorporated by notarial deed before a Curaçao civil-law notary and registered with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The Netherlands: A BV is formed by a civil-law notary, with fees the government puts at €500 to €1,500, and registration costs €85.15. No standard time is published.
Curaçao: Managing directors of an NV can be of any nationality, although in some cases one must be resident. There is no company-law minimum capital. The Netherlands: Official pages state no residence requirement for directors. A director living abroad is registered with a legalised passport copy and proof of address.
Curaçao: The UBO register in force since 8 June 2024 is closed. Unrestricted access is limited to authorities such as the Central Bank and the FIU. The Netherlands: Public access ended on 16 July 2025, according to law firm reports. Access is now limited to authorities and obliged entities such as gatekeepers.
Curaçao: A business investment from XCG 500,000 gives a three-year permit, from XCG 750,000 a five-year permit, and from XCG 1,500,000 an indefinite one. The Netherlands: The start-up permit requires a facilitator and lasts at most one year, after which a points-based self-employed permit can follow. US nationals have a treaty route.
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