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 a long-term stay should prepare well in advance for the move from temporary protection to a more stable residence permit.
- Residence permits (verblijfsvergunning) of all types
- Highly Skilled Migrant (kennismigrant) — residence permit for highly qualified specialists
- Startup Visa — a program for founders of innovative startups
- Family reunification (gezinshereniging), from application to decision
- 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, child support, and custody 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 other spouse's consent
- 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 other parent's consent
- Child abduction cases 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 have to deal with CAOs (collective labor agreements), transitievergoeding (statutory severance) calculations, and the specifics of ZZP (self-employed) status.
- Reviewing and translating an employment contract
- Challenging unlawful dismissal (kennelijk onredelijk ontslag)
- Recovery of unpaid wages
- Calculation and recovery of transitievergoeding
- Disputes under a CAO
- Protection from mobbing and discrimination
- Vaststellingsovereenkomst (termination by settlement agreement) 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 with the KvK, including tax number 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 Intellectual Property (BOIP)
- Opening a bank account, KYC, AML compliance
- OSS/IOSS registration for e-commerce
Real estate, criminal cases, inheritance
Foreigners can buy real estate in the Netherlands without restriction. Transactions are executed before a notaris and registered with the Kadaster.
- Real estate: purchases of apartments and houses, transaction 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
Real Estate and Housing Law Criminal and Administrative Cases
A Ukrainian entrepreneur wanted 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
One lawyer instead of two
Our attorneys are licensed in the host country and also well 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 an upfront cost estimate before you sign the engagement agreement.
eAdvokat mobile app
Track your case online, reach your attorney 24/7, and keep your 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 completion certificates, and a full report on the work performed.
Office in the Netherlands
Литвиненко Вікторія Андріївна
Керівник Нідерландського окружного відділу Міжнародного управління Адвокатського об’єднання «Захист»
Address:
Amsterdam, Hekelveld 8-10, Office No. 10 (2nd floor)
Landmark:
Regus office building – Amsterdam, 4th floor, at the intersection of Laarderhoogtweg and Muntbergweg, next to the IKEA Amsterdam store.
Ready to Start Working with Us?
Zahist Bar Association stands beside you in the Netherlands — a legal bridge between Ukraine and the Netherlands.
