Checklist for starting a campsite

1. Check the environment plan

You may start a campsite in areas where recreation is allowed. You can check this in the environment plan of the municipality where you want to start your campsite.

2. Make a business plan

There is a lot involved in starting a business. A business plan describes your plans and how you plan to make a profit. Choose a trade name and a legal structure and register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. Read which steps you need to take before you start.

Do you need extra money to carry out your plans? Find out what options there are for borrowing money. You can also consider crowdfunding or a financing mix.

3. Review the general municipal bylaws

Every municipality has general municipal bylaws. These bylaws contain rules of your municipality on public order and safety. Your campsite must comply with these bylaws. They may also contain rules that are not yet included in the environment plan.

4. Keep a visitor register for overnight accommodation

At a campsite, you offer overnight stays. You must therefore keep a visitor register. It shows who is staying overnight at your site and when. This is important for the fire brigade, for example, if there is an emergency. You also need the visitor register to file your tourist tax return.

Request a visitor register from the municipality

With some municipalities you can request or download a visitor register. You may also draw up your own visitor register. You must then add the information that the municipality needs. Such as:

• name and place of residence of the guest who booked (the main booker)
• date of arrival and departure (number of overnight stays)
• which identity document the guest has shown

Check with your municipality what the requirements are for the visitor register.

5. Pay tourist tax

You must pay tourist tax to the municipality for all guests who pay to stay with you, and who do not live in the municipality where your campsite is located.

How do you pay tourist tax?

When you start your campsite, you must register for tourist tax with the municipality. Later you file a tourist tax return with them. You will usually receive an invitation to file, or a tax return form. Some municipalities require quarterly tax declarations, while others require annual tax declarations.

When you file your tourist tax return, the municipality may ask you to also provide data from the visitor register.

What is the tourist tax rate?

The amount of the tourist tax differs per municipality. Your municipality may charge a fixed amount per person per night or day. Or a percentage of the cost of the overnight stay. These amounts or percentages are adjusted every year. You can add the tourist tax to your guests’ invoice.

6. Follow the rules when installing facilities

Are you going to install sanitary facilities on your campsite? Such as toilets or showers? Then make sure the buildings comply with the building regulations. A structure must not be a danger to users or the environment.

Specific rules also apply to building a swimming pool or installing playground equipment.

7. Consider environmental regulations

Check if any environmentally harmful activities take place at your campsite. For example, discharging sewage water. You can look this up at the Living Environment Information Point (in Dutch).

Setting up a campsite close to nature

Do you want to set up your campsite in or near a nature reserve? Then check whether this nature area is a Natura 2000 area. The Netherlands has 162 Natura 2000 areas. These are places where nature and animals are protected. Read more about activities that might have a harmful impact on protected natural assets.

Activity in a Natura 2000 area usually requires a special environment and planning permit. Extra rules then apply (in Dutch), for example, when applying for an environment and planning permit.

8. Add catering facilities to your campsite

Are you starting a café, restaurant, or other type of catering on your campsite? In addition to specific rules for hospitality you will need an operating permit in many municipalities. And maybe a terrace permit and alcohol license. The conditions vary in each municipality.