As an entrepreneur with your own private limited company (BV), you may often wonder:“Can I conduct several (different) business activities within the same BV?” Think, for instance, of combining consultancy work with an online shop, or property rental with advisory services. In this article, we explore the advantages, considerations and pitfalls of using your BV as a multi-activity vehicle.
There are several reasons to house multiple activities within one BV:
Simplicity: one legal entity, one administration, one set of annual accounts –straightforward and efficient.
Cost efficiency: lower set-up costs, no extra notary or Chamber of Commerce registrations, and potentially fewer accounting expenses.
Flexibility: start new side activities easily without forming a new company.
Although having everything under one BV sounds convenient, it also has drawbacks. If your activities carry different types or levels of risk, or differ substantially in nature, it may be smarter to use separate subsidiaries (work companies).
Risk diversification: bankruptcy or liability in one activity can otherwise affect the entire BV.
Tax benefits: multiple BV's can help you make optimal use of the lower corporate tax rate.
Sale potential: if an activity might eventually be sold, it’s often better to place it in a separate BV.
Legal clarity: separate companies make transactions, liabilities and partnerships easier to manage.
1. Chamber of Commerce registration (KvK) and SBI code: ensure all activities are properly registered with the right business codes.
2. Clear administration: keep track of turnover, costs and assets per activity, for example by using separate ledger accounts in your bookkeeping software.
3. Genuine activities: each activity must represent a real business, not a shell structure.
Liability: multiple activities in one BV share the same financial and legal risks.
Tax grouping and loss compensation: within one BV, profits and losses cannot be offset separately.
VAT implications: exempt or specific activities may affect your overall VAT obligations.
- Create an activity map: assess each activity in terms of risk, turnover and growth potential.
- Maintain a segment-based administration: this provides insight and fiscal clarity.
- Consider a separate BV or holding structure as you grow or take on riskier activities.
- Seek tax and legal advice before restructuring or adding new business lines.
- Keep your articles of association and Chamber of Commerce registration up to date.
Your BV can indeed operate multiple activities, as long as they are correctly registered and your administration is properly organised. The main benefits are simplicity and cost efficiency, but be mindful of liability, VAT and tax optimisation. Once your BV grows or new high-risk activities emerge, it’s wise to consider restructuring through a holding or separate subsidiaries.
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