Register your business in the Business Register
All businesses and legal entities in the Netherlands must register in the Business Register (Handelsregister). This also applies to self-employed professionals (zzp'ers), freelancers, businesses, and foundations. The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK is required by law to register the information of companies and legal entities in the Business Register.
What is the Business Register?
The Business Register contains information on all businesses and organisations in the Netherlands, such as contact details, legal structure, and the officers and authorised signatories. Most of the information in the Business Register is public.
When do you need to register with the Business Register?
Are you an entrepreneur in the Netherlands? If so, you must register your business in the Business Register. KVK views you as an entrepreneur if you independently provide products or services to others with the aim of making a profit. You must also meet the relevant criteria described at KVK’s website.
You can register your business from 1 week before you start, up to 1 week after the start of your business. Your registration will then be completed immediately, and you will receive your KVK number. You can also visit the KVK earlier for identity verification and complete your registration. You can do so up to 3 months efore the start date. You will then receive your KVK number (the final regsitration) by post in the week of your start date.
For businesses established in the Netherlands, KVK will pass on your details to the Netherlands Tax Administration (Belastingdienst).
How to register with the Business Register?
Are you a foreign entrepreneur and do you want to start a business in het Netherlands? You need a residence permit or a residence permit for foreign startups if you are from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland.
You need a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN) to register your business.
You can register your business online with KVK using your DigiD. Then you have to make an appointment at a KVK office. A KVK employee will then check your identification and your registration.
Whoever registers your business, depends on your legal structure. In some cases, several owners must visit KVK. For certain legal structures, a civil-law notary handles the registration.
You pay a registration fee to register your new business or organisation in the Business Register.
Reporting changes
Are you changing some business details, for example your address, trade name, officers or directors, or activities? You must report the changes via My KVK within 1 week. You will need a DigiD or a European login to log in to My KVK.
If your business is taken over by a new owner, partnership, or legal entity, you must also notify KVK. The business will receive a new KVK number. You must report the change via My KVK.
Deregistration from the Business Register
If you end your business, you must deregister from the Business Register. KVK will pass on your deregistration to the Tax Administration.
Foreign businesses
Are you a foreign business with a branch (a permanent establishment) in the Netherlands? You must also register with the Business Register.
If your business does not have a permanent establishment in the Netherlands, you do not have to register with the Dutch Business Register. You may register voluntarily if you want a KVK number.
Hiring out staff
Do you supply workers in the Netherlands? For example, you have a temporary employment agency, payroll company, or job pool that is based outside the Netherlands but operates within the Netherlands? You must register your business with the Business Register as a business that provides staff. This also applies to foreign businesses without a Dutch branch office. You will get a fine if you fail to do so.
Do you hire staff from an employment agency that is not rigistered with KVK? You may also be fined. You can use the Waadi check to check their registration (in Dutch).