What are UBOs?
- Q and A
- 26 June 2023
- Edited 14 January 2025
- 1 min
- Secure business
UBOs (Ultimate Beneficial Owners) are the ultimate owners of, or the people who have make decisions in, an organisation. Many organisations in the Netherlands must register their UBOs in the UBO register.
Cyber Magazine SECURE IT!
Cyber magazine SECURE IT! contains tips and information on how to secure your business online.
Â
UBOs are the ultimate owners, or are people who are allowed to make decisions in an organisation. Examples are persons who own more than 25% of the shares in a private limited company (bv), or who have a substantial interest of over 25% in a general or professional partnership (vof or maatschap). Or perhaps those who hold more than 25% of voting rights for amending the articles of association of a foundation (stichting) or association (vereniging). If nobody has a stake of more than 25%, then the senior manager(s) are the UBOs. These can be, for example, the partners or statutory officers. Every organisation with a duty to register UBOs has one or more UBOs.
Must I register UBOs?
Not every organisation has to register UBOs. For example, sole proprietorships (eenmanszaak), associations with limited legal capacity and without commercial activities, and owners' associations (VvE) are not required to do so. Check whether your organisation needs to register UBOs.
Determining UBOs
Do you want to know who the UBOs of your organisation are? It is up to you as an organisation to decide. This information will help you do so:
- Who are the stakeholders of a bv, nv, SE, or SCE?
- Who are the stakeholders in a stichting?
- Who are the stakeholders in a cv, vof, maatschap, EEIG, or shipping company?
- Who are the stakeholders in a vereniging, coöperatie, or onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij?
Registering UBOs
Find out everything you need so you can register your UBOs in one go. You can register, deregister, or change your organisation’s UBOs via the UBO report.
