Checklist for setting up at a new business premises
Are you planning to establish your business at a new commercial property? Or are you considering moving to another suitable location? Before you set up your new business premises, you must arrange several things. Check the environment plan (omgevingsplan) to know what you can and cannot do at the location, investigate what permits you need, and consider other regulations and local taxes.
The municipality determines what is and is not allowed in a certain place. For example, whether a café or shop can be built. These agreements are included in the environment plan. The environment plan also states what the municipality plans to do in the future. For example, building new roads or houses. And what the rules are for advertising, renovations and noise.
Read more in Check the environment plan, a step-by-step plan.
Or go directly to Regels op de kaart of the Omgevingsloket (rules on the map, in Dutch) to find the rules that apply to the location you have in mind.
If you want to build or renovate, you often need an environment and planning permit. Do you want to know if you need an environment and planning permit? Or if you need to submit a notification? Go to the Omgevingsloket (in Dutch) and do the permit check.
You may also need a permit for certain activities, such as placing an advertising board. In addition, you will always need a permit in some sectors. For example, if you start a catering establishment.
Read more about permits for your business.
Do your plans not fully comply with the environment plan regulations? Sometimes you can still carry out your plans with a special permit (in Dutch). You can also ask your municipality if you can deviate from the environment plan. For example, show that your plans do not have major consequences for the environment.
Read more about deviating from the environment plan.
A location analysis will tell you if it is wise to locate your business in a certain area.
- The free KVK Locatiescan (in Dutch) and KVK company counter provide information about an area. For example, the number of businesses similar to yours and potential customers.
- KVK Regiodata (in Dutch) provides even more information about businesses and developments in your municipality. You can also compare this with another municipality.
You must comply with environmental regulations. For example, your business cannot make too much noise. There are also rules about things like industrial waste.
Read more about the environmental rules for your business.
Make sure that your business premises have at least energy label C. Otherwise, you are not allowed to use it as an office. This government measure is intended to help reduce CO2 emissions and lower your energy costs. Check your energy label (in Dutch).
Do you want to make the new building energy efficient? For example, by installing solar panels or a heat pump? See if you can make use of subsidies.
- Owners and users of business premises pay property tax (ozb).
- You pay a fee if the municipality processes your industrial waste.
- Do you own business premises connected to the municipal sewerage system? Then you pay sewerage charges.
- If you place advertising visible from the public road, such as a billboard, you usually have to pay advertising tax.
Read more about the municipality's taxes.
As soon as you move into the new location for your company, you must report the change of address within 1 week. Failure to do so may have consequences for your company’s liability.
Questions relating to this article?
Please contact the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK