Step-by-step plan: Starting a beauty salon
Do you want to open a beauty salon? Then you must follow the rules for beauticians. Do you apply permanent make-up or carry out laser treatments? Then there are extra requirements you must meet. Read what you need to do when starting a beauty salon.
In principle, anyone without a diploma can work as a beautician. However, your customers do want to know that they are in safe hands. That is why a recognised senior secondary vocational education (middelbaar beroepsonderwijs, MBO) diploma in Beauty Care is important. There are various programmes, courses, and trainings that you can follow.
Read more about training as a beautician.
You can start a beauty salon in several ways
To start a beauty salon from home, you should check with your municipality whether your plans fit the environment plan. Also, pay attention to the conditions that apply if you want to renovate.
Read more about starting your own business from home.
You can also rent or buy commercial space. Check with your local municipality whether your plans for a beauty salon are in line with the environment plan.
Read more about renting or buying a commercial property.
Another option is to rent a chair. You then share a business space with 1 or more self-employed professionals. You can reduce costs by sharing them.
You can also visit your customers. Keep in mind that you will incur travel costs. Include these in your hourly rate. Also, make sure you use equipment that you can easily transport.
You must choose a legal structure for your beauty salon. For example, a sole proprietorship. Or, if you work together with other entrepreneurs, a general partnership (VOF).
The tool Which legal structure suits your company? can help you choose a legal form that suits your situation.
If you start your own beauty salon, you must register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK. You pay a one-time fee. You will be automatically registered with the Tax Administration.
Read what you need to know before registering in the Business Register.
You are legally obliged to set up and maintain business records. These give you insight into your financial position and provide all the information for your tax return. You can do the administration yourself, but you can also outsource it to an accountant or bookkeeper.
Read more about setting up and maintaining an administration.
You cannot view this video due to your cookie settings. Would you like to watch?or Watch this video on YouTubeHow cookies are used on Business.gov.nl.You must submit VAT returns. You usually file a VAT return every quarter. But you can submit a request to the Tax Administration to file a tax return per month or year.
In addition to a VAT return, you file an income tax return once a year.
You may be able to use deductible items and schemes in your tax returns. You then pay less tax.
When starting a beauty salon, it is important to think about insurance. For example, a professional indemnity insurance. This insures you against the costs of professional errors or negligence.
You can also consider business liability insurance. Your customer receives money for damages that you cause. And there are special insurance policies for beauticians. Insurance is not mandatory, but it is sensible. If you are a member of the trade association ANBOS, you can ask them for advice.
Read more about business insurances.
If you want to hire staff, you must provide a safe and healthy working environment. You must comply with the Working Conditions Act. You must also register as an employer with the Tax Administration. And you must draw up a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E). In it, you record the safety and health risks and the measures that you take against them.
You must follow a number of rules. For example, hygiene rules. Check which hygiene guidelines apply in your situation (in Dutch).
Extra rules may also apply to you depending on the treatments you offer.
Permanent make-up and tattoos can only be done at a location with a permit from the GGD. You must also follow hygiene and safety rules for, among other things, the material you use and the room where you tattoo.
Read more about the rules for placing permanent make-up and tattoos.
If you cut or inject into the body during treatment, you must be qualified and competent (in Dutch). Also, your patient must be at least 18 years old. These cosmetic operations or procedures are called reserved procedures (voorbehouden behandelingen).
Read more about the rules for performing cosmetic procedures.
As a beautician, you are allowed to do laser treatments and IPL treatments. These are treatments to remove scars, pigment or hair, for example. You must comply with the Care Sector Quality, Complaints, and Disputes Act (Wet kwaliteit, klachten en geschillen zorg, Wkkgz)). This act sets out what good care is and how you provide good quality. And what you must do in case of mistakes and complaints.
Read more about the rules for performing laser treatments and IPL treatments.
If you make or sell cosmetic products, these products must be safe. For instance make-up, deodorant, and shampoo. You must be able to prove that the production standards are applied when making cosmetic products. And you must use safe ingredients.
Do you play music in your beauty salon? If so, you need permission from the creators. You arrange this by applying for a licence and paying a fee. You do that at BumaStemra and Sena. They arrange for the makers to receive payment.
As a beautician, you can join the sector organisations General Dutch Branch Organisation for Beauty Care ANBOS or Huidprofessional (both in Dutch). You must have a diploma in Beauty Care to join either of these organisations.