USD account for a Dutch BV: getting paid by US clients
A Dutch BV with American clients can receive dollars by SWIFT or into US account details by ACH. ACH is cheaper and faster for the client, and dollars held can pay dollar costs.
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Dutch companies with US clients get the same request as everyone else: "Please send your ACH details." A Dutch IBAN does not work for that.
Two ways to receive dollars
| Dollar account at a Dutch bank | US account details | |
|---|---|---|
| How the client pays | International wire | ACH or domestic wire |
| Client's cost | Wire fee | Low or none |
| Your cost | Incoming fee, possible conversion | Usually none |
Why hold dollars
A Utrecht SaaS company earns $27,000 a month from US customers and spends $8,000 in dollars on cloud, tools and a US contractor. Holding dollars pays those costs without converting twice.
What to send US clients
- US account details on the invoice.
- A W-8BEN-E.
- Your invoice with btw-id and, for services, a note that Dutch VAT does not apply.
Accounting
Record dollar invoices in euros at the applicable rate and book exchange results at conversion.
Paying into the Netherlands: the local rail
| What | Detail |
|---|---|
| Local rail | SEPA Instant Credit Transfer |
| Run by | European Payments Council scheme, run by each bank; Dutch banks send nearly all domestic transfers instantly |
| Settlement | Under ten seconds, 24/7 |
| Published fee | By the EU Instant Payments Regulation, no more than the bank charges for a standard SEPA transfer |
Source: European Payments Council: SEPA Instant Credit Transfer. Checked when this guide was last updated; the scheme's own page has the current figures.
Where Rivet fits
Rivet gives registered companies US account details in their own name on the free Starter plan, plus EUR and GBP details on Growth, with conversion shown before you confirm. Check our eligibility list for Dutch companies. Rivet is not a bank; regulated partner institutions hold the funds. See USD account details explained.
Questions people ask
Can a BV hold US dollars?
Yes. Dutch banks and fintech providers offer USD accounts. Check whether you get US details for ACH.
What do US clients need?
US account details, your invoice, and usually a W-8BEN-E documenting that the BV is a foreign entity.
Is ACH faster than SWIFT?
ACH usually settles in one to two business days and arrives in full. SWIFT can take one to three days and lose fees on the way.
How does this affect Dutch tax?
Profit is in euros unless you have a functional currency approval. Exchange results count.
Sources
Alexia compares the accounts, cards and payment tools companies weigh before they switch, and writes Rivet's market guides for founders in a specific country. Prices in Alexia's comparisons come from each provider's own pricing page on the date given in the article, rules come from the regulator or tax authority that sets them, and every source is listed at the end.
More from Alexia M. →This article is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules and fees change; check the sources above and the provider’s current terms before you act on them.
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- dutch bv
- us clients
- ach
- dollar account
- swift
