This checklist guides you through the steps you need to take to open a shop, or start a retail business as it is officially called, in the Netherlands. It is possible that you will need to take other steps as well; this depends on the type of shop you want to open, and the town or village you want to open it in. Consult your local municipality regarding the order of the steps. You can carry out several steps at the same time.
1. Check whether you fulfil the conditions for staying in the Netherlands
Entrepreneurs who intend to stay in the Netherlands must fulfil a number of conditions. You will sometimes also require a residence permit, depending on whether or not you are from the European Economic Area (EEA). Our interactive tool Coming to the Netherlands as an entrepreneur can help you find out quickly if this is true for you, and tell you what other obligations you have to fulfil.
If you plan to start doing business in the Netherlands, you will also need to have or apply for a business bank account (IBAN). The Dutch Banking Association has created a Quick Scan to help you find out if you are eligible. Read how it works.
2. Write a business plan
A business plan is not mandatory, however, it is recommended. It summarises the plans you have for your store and forces you to examine whether your plans are viable. Is there a market for your products? Who are your competitors? Who are you selling your products to? It is important to define your target group and to conduct market research before you write your marketing plan.
3. Financing your shop
Your business plan also includes a financial plan. If you want to open a shop, you need financing. If you are looking for funding or additional capital, your financial plan may be used by financiers to analyse the viability of your business. Your financial plan includes the investments you will need to make and how you plan to finance them. You need to think about the turnover you expect to generate and if your business will be profitable. It also forces you to examine cash flow and whether you'll have enough cash each month. Based on this information, you may have a better view on the financing you might need.
4. Choose a trade name
Your shop needs a name. Not just for doing business, but also to register in the Business Register. You will require a unique trade name (company name). If you are planning to set up a website, or sell your products online, don’t forget to register your domain name.
5. Select a legal business structure
Owners of a new business must first select a legal business structure (e.g. one-man business or a private limited company). The legal structure determines such issues as liability and tax obligations.
Tool for choosing a Dutch legal structure
If you want to set up a business, but you are in two minds about which legal structure to choose, use our Tool for choosing a Dutch legal structure. It will guide you through some of the main considerations, such as liability, staff and taxes, and give you advice suited to your needs and wishes.
6. Register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce
New businesses must be registered with the Dutch Business Register. The KVK will pass on your details to the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. Within two weeks you will receive your VAT identification number and VAT number from the Tax and Customs Administration by post. You therefore do not need to register separately with them, unless you decide to register as a limited company or association. See also Legal business structures.
7. Regulations for the location of your retail business
Building regulations
The building in which your shop is located or business premises, must comply with the building regulations. You will find these regulations in the Buildings Decree 2012 (Bouwbesluit 2012, in Dutch) as well as in your local building by-laws. You must also comply with building regulations and layout requirements that are relevant to your specific business activities. Moreover, if you plan to build, rebuild or renovate, in most cases you will need an All-in-one Permit for Physical Aspects (Omgevingsvergunning).
Zoning plan
If you want to establish your retail business at a particular location in the Netherlands or if you plan to start a home business, your plan must be in line with the municipal zoning plan (bestemmingsplan). A zoning plan includes detailed rules on how a certain plot of land or area can be used.
Municipal taxes
In most cases a municipal tax is owed for the use of public land (officially, this is a tax on ‘encroachments on or above public land’, precariobelasting). You also have to pay this tax if you want to display articles for sale in the street. Make sure to consult your local municipality to receive more information about the rules and regulations that may apply within your municipality.
General Municipal By-Law (APV)
In Dutch municipalities, you will have to observe the General Municipal By-Law (Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening, APV). It lays down the municipal regulations with respect to public order and safety. Every municipal authority has its own APV, which is often made available via the municipal website. The regulations concerning the retail sector are:
- waste bins for food and drink
- usability of public roads
- opening and closing times
- noise pollution
- advertising and pamphlets
- work locations
- supervision of events
- shop displays
- shopping trolleys
8. Consider fire safety requirements for your store
You have to take measures to ensure fire safety in your shop, offices and warehouse(s). In most cases you must submit a notification of occupancy to your local municipality. If your business has a higher fire risk, you must also apply for an All-in-one Permit for Physical Aspects.
9. Check whether you need insurance
If you live in the Netherlands or earn income here, you are obliged to take out healthcare insurance. You are also obliged to pay Dutch national insurance contributions. Additionally, there are several ways to insure your business assets in the event of legal liability or any other any other risk you can’t afford to cover.
10. Keep orderly business records
Every entrepreneur is obliged to keep business records. Your records must comply with certain rules. For instance, you have to retain your records for at least seven years. And if you wish to receive the entrepreneur allowance, you must keep a record of the number of hours spent working for your business.
11. Find out which taxes you need to pay
If your shop is a source of income, the Tax Administration will most likely view you as an entrepreneur for income tax. You will then have to pay tax on your company profit. You need to pay VAT (BTW) on most products and services. The Netherlands has three VAT rates. You can obtain an exemption for some goods and services. You charge VAT to your customers, and then transfer it to the Tax Administration office. If you have turnover in another EU country or outside the EU, other VAT rules apply.
12. Sales of alcohol
You may only sell high-alcohol beverages in your shop if you have an off-licence permit. Off-licences may only sell alcoholic beverages and related articles, such as corkscrews or wine and beer glasses. In addition, they may deliver high-alcohol beverages to private homes.
13. Sales of tobacco
Smoking is discouraged by the Dutch government. Therefore the Dutch Tobacco Act (Tabakswet) contains rules designed to reduce the sale of tobacco products and electronic cigarettes. Any form of advertising for tobacco products or electronic cigarettes is prohibited. You may only sell tobacco products and electronic cigarettes to people aged 18 and older. This must be displayed clearly for everyone to see.
14. Draft general terms and conditions
It is wise to use general terms and conditions to minimise your risks and provide clarity for you and your customers. General terms and conditions include rules about payment, guarantees and disputes.
15. Check product, packaging and labelling requirements
Consumer goods must be safe to use. That is why the products your shop sells must comply with several product requirements. If you want to market consumer or professional products within the European Economic Area (EEA), CE marking may be compulsory. CE marking indicates that the product meets the high safety, health and environmental requirements set by the EU. There are also requirements for product packaging and labelling, for instance the language on the label when you export products. Make sure to check which regulations apply to your products.
16. Keep your stock management up-to-date
It is important to keep your stock management up-to-date in order to maintain a clear overview. This entails keeping records of all procurements and sales, to avoid the risk of running out of stock. There are several digital programmes that help you to keep your stock management up-to-date.
17. Hiring staff for your retail business
If you intend to employ staff in the Netherlands, you are obliged to verify the identity of all workers on the basis of an original identity document when they join your company. You must also register as an employer with the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration. As an employer you need to provide a healthy and safe work place for all your personnel and pay at least the Dutch minimum wage and a holiday allowance. You are obliged to recruit personnel initially in the European Economic Area (EEA) and/or Switzerland. Only once you prove that you cannot find suitable personnel here, will you be permitted to recruit from other countries.
18. Cartels and competition
A cartel agreement is an agreement between competitors with the intention of hindering or restricting competition or creating false competition. In such cases, competitors agree to fix prices, share markets, limit output or boycot certain suppliers or buyers. In the Netherlands, cartels are illegal. Violating the cartel ban may result in a fine.
Number of shops started
Over the past 10 years the number of started businesses with a physical shop shows a decrease.