A pro-business climate, its strategic location, a stable legislative system, a highly educated multilingual workforce and superior infrastructure are just some of the many advantages of doing business in the Netherlands. These elements show, in our view, that the Netherlands serves as the (digital) gateway to Europe.

Economic overview

Excellent country for business and a great place to live

Ranked number 6 in the world by the World Competitiveness Ranking 2022 of the Institute for Management Development (IMD), the Netherlands is a truly world-class destination for business activity and has a very competitive international climate. The Netherlands scores high on business efficiency and on infrastructure and performs particularly robustly on the business efficiency-related indicators labour market and finance.

The Netherlands' strategic location at Europe's front door provides the perfect springboard into the European market – with access to 95 per cent of Europe’s most lucrative consumer markets within 24 hours of Amsterdam or Rotterdam. Add to that its supportive legal and tax structure to set up operational business, highly educated, multilingual workforce and superior logistics and technology infrastructure and it is no wonder so many multinational businesses – from small and mid-sized to Fortune 500 leaders – have chosen the Netherlands as their gateway to Europe.

In addition to having an outstanding business climate, the Netherlands offers an affordable cost of living and an exceptional quality of life. Ranked as the 5th happiest place on earth by the World Happiness Report 2022 and ranked 1st in the area of children’s well-being according to a survey in 2020 by UNICEF, the Netherlands has a high standard of living. On the OECD Better Life Index 2020, the Netherlands occupies an 8th position. It outperforms the average in jobs, work-life balance, education, environmental quality, social networks, civic engagement, safety and life satisfaction.

According to the World Bank, the government of the Netherlands is one of the most effective in the world. To add, the Netherlands is one of the most politically stable nations in the world, thus making it easier for companies to make medium and long-term decisions.

The Netherlands also offers a wide tax treaty network, special measures for highly skilled expats and often certainty in advance of interpretation of tax law — just a few of the features that help multinational companies to thrive in the Netherlands.