A Dictionary of Dutchness

DGA

DGA is short for directeur-grootaandeelhouder (director/ major shareholder) – a term applied to a company director who also owns shares in the firm. To qualify for tax advantages, a DGA must own at least 5% of the shares. If a DGA controls at least half of the shares, and cannot therefore be sacked, he or she is also exempt from social security payments.