Dutch partnership

A Dutch contractual form of cooperation between 2 or more people (called partners). Every partner contributes in some way to the partnership. This form of cooperation is mainly use by entrepreneurs with a profession who want to set up a joint practice (lawyers, dentists, civil-law notaries).

The partnership is not a legal person and therefore does not have a separate capital. The partners are liable for the debts of the partnership but, as opposed to the Dutch general partnership, not for the whole but for a proportionate part. Registration of the partnership at the Chamber of Commerce is required.

A General partnership (formed under Dutch law) is between two or more persons (partners). The partners agree to bring either capital or labour into the partnership for the benefit of the business. A general partnership does not possess legal personality either and does not have separate capital. The partners are jointly and severally liable for the debts of the general partnership (and not for proportionate parts as in a partnership).