In the Netherlands registered capital of a private or public limited company is divided in portions. These portions are called shares or stocks. A share (stock) can be divided further in subshares.

Shares or stocks of limited company

The shares (stocks) of a Dutch public limited company are not registered and can be easily transferred and traded, for example on a stock exchange. Shares (stocks) of a private limited are registered in a shareholders’ register. While in the past the shares (stocks) of a Dutch private limited were not freely transferable, the Dutch law has since changed on that point. Transferring registered shares (stocks) has become less restricted.