Legal Services
in the Netherlands
Full legal support in both jurisdictions: Ukraine + Netherlands.
Immigration law
From temporary protection to Dutch citizenship
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) is known for its formal approach. Ukrainians planning long-term stays should prepare well in advance for the transition from temporary protection to a stable residence permit basis.
- Residence permits (verblijfsvergunning) — a complete guide to permit types
- Highly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant) — residence permit for highly qualified specialists
- Startup Visa — a program for founders of innovative startups
- Family reunification (gezinshereniging) with full support
- Change of residence purpose (Wijziging verblijfsdoel) without leaving the country
- EU long-term resident status after 5 years
- Naturalization — Dutch citizenship (language and integration exams)
- Appealing IND refusals on residence permits, status revocation, or deportation
Family matters
Divorce, support, children between Ukraine and the Netherlands
Dutch family law (Burgerlijk Wetboek, Boek 1) features a number of progressive elements: recognition of same-sex marriages and partnerships, a streamlined consensual divorce procedure, and mandatory mediation in certain matters.
- Divorce from a Ukrainian spouse
- Divorce from a Dutch citizen or a citizen of another EU country
- Divorce without the consent of the second spouse
- Cross-border collection of child support
- Division of property between Ukraine and the Netherlands
- Marriage contract (huwelijkse voorwaarden)
- Recognition of a Ukrainian divorce in the Netherlands
- Marriage between a Ukrainian and a Dutch citizen
- Child custody (gezag), visitation arrangements (omgangsregeling)
- Court permission to leave Ukraine with a child without the consent of the second parent
- Response to child abduction under the Hague Convention
- Adoption of a child from Ukraine
- Protecting Ukrainian assets from sale by the other spouse
Labor law
Protecting employees in the Netherlands
Dutch labor law (Burgerlijk Wetboek, Boek 7) balances employee protection with employer flexibility. Ukrainians often encounter the nuances of CAO (collective bargaining agreements), transitievergoeding calculations, and the specifics of ZZP status.
- Reviewing and translating an employment contract
- Challenging unlawful dismissal (kennelijk onredelijk ontslag)
- Recovery of unpaid wages
- Calculation and recovery of transitievergoeding
- Disputes concerning CAO
- Protection from mobbing and discrimination
- Vaststellingsovereenkomst (settlement-based termination) and negotiations
- Preserving residence status when changing employers
- Assistance with ZZP registration for the self-employed
Business in the Netherlands
B.V., Innovation Box, holdings, M&A
The Netherlands is one of the EU's leading jurisdictions for international business. Its extensive network of double-tax treaties, the participation exemption for holding companies, the Innovation Box reducing tax on IP to 9%, and B.V. registration in just a few days make it especially attractive.
- Relocating a Ukrainian business to the Netherlands
- Registration of B.V., N.V., eenmanszaak, V.O.F.
- B.V. registration through the KvK with TIN and bank account setup
- Structuring an international holding through the Netherlands
- Business residence permit through the Startup Visa or investment
- M&A: acquiring a Dutch company, selling a Ukrainian company to a Dutch investor
- Pre-deal due diligence
- Corporate advisory
- Supply, distribution, and agency agreements
- Debt collection from Ukrainian counterparties
- Debt collection from Dutch counterparties
- Relocation of IT businesses and startups
- Innovation Box for Ukrainian IT companies
- Trademark registration with the EUIPO and the Benelux Office for IP
- Opening a bank account, KYC, AML compliance
- OSS/IOSS registration for e-commerce
Real estate, criminal cases, inheritance
Real estate purchases in the Netherlands are open to foreigners without restriction. Transactions are executed before a notaris and registered with the Kadaster.
- Real estate: purchases of apartments and houses, transactional due diligence, hypotheek (mortgage) for foreigners
- Criminal cases: defense, challenging fines, road accidents, deportation risk for criminal offenses
- Inheritance: handling Ukrainian estates for those living in the Netherlands, the European Certificate of Succession, wills, Dutch succession law
- Maritime and logistics business: Incoterms contracts, export-import operations, customs matters
A Ukrainian entrepreneur wished to register a company in the Netherlands. We structured the B.V. so that he could take advantage of the participation exemption on dividends from his Ukrainian assets, generating significant tax savings and enabling an efficient international holding structure.
Two Jurisdictions — One Team
Two jurisdictions — one team
Our attorneys are licensed in the country of presence and also versed in Ukrainian law. No need to retain a second lawyer.
95% of cases resolved in the client's favor
We do not take on hopeless cases and speak honestly about the chances during the consultation.
Transparent pricing with no surprises
Fixed service packages and upfront cost estimates before signing the engagement.
eAdvokat mobile app
Full online control of your case, 24/7 communication with your attorney, and documents in a secure environment.
A Clear 4-Step Process
Consultation
A 15-30 minute session in which we review your situation together and propose an action plan with a timeline and budget estimate.
Strategy
A clear action plan, timelines, risks, and budget. You know exactly what comes next.
Execution
The team handles the case with full oversight at every stage through our CRM system.
Reporting
Case closure, signed acts of completion, and full reporting on the work performed.
Адвокатське об'єднання "Захист", Нідерландський окружний відділ
Литвиненко Вікторія Андріївна
Керівник Нідерландського окружного відділу Міжнародного управління Адвокатського об’єднання «Захист»
Address:
м. Амстердам, вул. Хекельвелд (Hekelveld), 8-10, офіс № 10
Landmark:
чотириповерхова офісна будівля, 2-й поверх, перехрестя вулиць Hekelveld та Nieuwendijk, напроти готелю Nicolaas, в районі цертрального вокзалу міста Амстардам
Ready to Start Working with Us?
Zahist Law Firm stands beside you in the Netherlands — a legal bridge between Ukraine and the Netherlands.
