Applying for a permit or subsidy with eHerkenning
If you want to do business online with a Dutch government organisation, you may need to login with eHerkenning (eRecognition), a standardised login system, for instance, if you want to apply for a permit or a subsidy.
More and more government organisations are making their services digitally available through eHerkenning. It ensures they know exactly with which company and with whom they are dealing, as well as whether these people are authorised to act on behalf of that company. An eIdentity (EID) token (eHerkenningsmiddel) can be purchased from recognised service providers. Find out more about the Digital Government Agenda.
Checklist for purchasing an eHerkenning token
Follow these steps if you want to purchase an eHerkenning token in the Netherlands:
Foreign businesses
Foreign entrepreneurs cannot use Dutch eHerkenning tools. To purchase eHerkenning, registration in the Dutch Commercial Register is mandatory - this is not always an option for foreign entrepreneurs.
eIDAS
In September 2018, the eIDAS regulation came into force. eIDAS stands for 'Electronic Identities And Trust Services'. eIDAS will eventually enable European citizens and businesses to access digital services in other European countries, further facilitating cross-border entrepreneurship The Netherlands Enterprise Agency is facilitating eIDAS as the various EU countries roll out their eIdentity systems. Find out more about eIDAS and the digital government (in Dutch).