2012-10-09

Added · Updated

Introduction to trust offices and Act on the Supervision of Trust Offices (Wtt)

It is prohibited to provide trust services or operate as a trust office in the Netherlands without a licence from De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB). This prohibition applies to entities with their seat in the Netherlands, those outside the Netherlands providing services to the Netherlands, and activities performed by trust offices based in non-designated states lacking a DNB licence. DNB is responsible for supervising these offices and granting licences, and no trust services may be performed until authorisation is granted.

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Under the Act on the Supervision of Trust Offices it is forbidden to provide trust services without a licence. De Nederlandsche Bank (DNB) may grant a licence if requested and is responsible for the supervision of trust offices.

Published: 09 October 2012

Without a licence it is forbidden under the Wtt:

to operate as a trust office in the Netherlands

for any entity with its seat outside the Netherlands to operate as a trust office by providing services to the Netherlands without a licence from DNB

to perform activities relating to the provision of trust services by a trust office that has its seat in a non-designated State and that does not have a licence from DNB

Under the Wtt DNB is responsible for supervising and licensing trust offices. In order to determine whether proposed activities require a licence, it first has to be decided whether the activities constitute trust services. The activities are not allowed to be performed until a licence has been granted.

Information on applying for a licence as a trust office

Vergunning trustkantoren – overzichtspagina

Authorisation, yes or no?

Licence: yes or no?

What are trust services?

Providing trust services in a professional capacity or on a commercial basis

Exemption from the licence requirement

Applying for authorisation

Licence application form including explanatory notes

Application process (10 steps)

Application process timeline

Application fees

How to apply successfully

Background information

Prohibition on operating as a trust office without a licence

Public register

Statutory framework governing market access for trust offices

Discover related articles

Factsheet

Integrity & sanctions

Market access

Trust offices

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