Ending your company per legal structure
Are you thinking about closing your business, or have you already decided to do so? On this page, you can find out what you need to arrange and what you need to consider before deregistering your business with KVK.
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If you are closing your business, there are many matters to sort out. You’ll need to update your records, cancel subscriptions or insurance policies, and sell off stock. You’ll also need to inform staff and customers, and settle your accounts with the Netherlands Tax Administration. Exactly what you need to do varies depending on the business structure.
Can you put your business on hold?
Are you temporarily pausing business operations, for example due to taking up paid employment, illness, or a trip? If this lasts less than 6 months, you do not need to deregister your business with KVK. You must, however, continue to submit VAT returns, even if they are zero returns.
Is your business inactive for more than 6 months? Then you must deregister with KVK. If you start up again later, you must re-register. You will then be issued a new KVK number and new numbers fro VAT.
Are you starting another business or changing your activities? You can update this via My KVK. A transfer or a change of legal structure are possible alternatives to deregistration.
Step-by-step plans for each business structure
Follow the step-by-step plans for ending your business’s legal structure.
After deregistration: no company car and business bank account
Are you planning to deregister your business with KVK? If so, it is important to note that you will no longer be able to use your business bank account once you have deregistered.
Do you have a car registered in your company’s name? If so, you must first transfer the registration to your own name. If you don't, the RDW may revoke the registration and you will no longer be permitted to drive the car on public roads.
Specific reasons for closing your business
If you have debts you can no longer pay, you may need to close your business. Sometimes a restart is possible, for example during bankruptcy proceedings. In such cases, the trustee will temporarily manage the business.
Is your business no longer making a profit due to falling sales or changes in the market? If so, you may choose to close it to avoid (further) debt.
You can also explore whether you can resolve your debts through suspension of payment, the WHOA, or another arrangement. These options may help to prevent bankruptcy or closing down. Would you like to know which steps suit your situation? View the Debt Flowchart (KVK)
If you are getting divorced, the terms of your relationship will determine how assets and debts are divided. If you have not set out any arrangements in a prenuptial or civil partnership agreement, you may need to sell your business to ensure a fair division of assets. Read more about running a business and divorce (KVK)
Are you moving abroad? You do not always have to close your business. Sometimes you can simply continue to run your business from abroad, for example if your work is online or if you retain a permanent base in the Netherlands. If you are unable to take your business with you or are ceasing all activities, the steps you need to take are the same as if you were closing your business for any other reason. More about moving and freelancing abroad (KVK)
Anyone who has lived or worked in the Netherlands accrues a basic state pension: the AOW. From your state pension age, you will receive the AOW state pension. Do you not wish to close your business just yet? You are allowed to earn additional income without restriction alongside your AOW pension. Even if you earn a lot from your business, your AOW benefit will remain the same.
Do you want to stop working and do you need to dismiss staff? In that case, you will need to pay them a transition payment. If your business has fewer than 25 employees on average, you may be eligible for compensation for the transition payment.
More about compensation for the transition payment (UWV, in Dutch)