Foreign company registration in the Netherlands
Do you have to register your foreign business in the Netherlands? Depending on your circumstances, there are 3 options. If you have a permanent establishment, you need to register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK and the Netherlands Tax Administration. If you have a non-permanent establishment but charge and pay VAT in the Netherlands, you only need to register with the Tax Administration. If you hire out workers, you have to register with KVK.
Registering a permanent establishment
A permanent establishment is a foreign company's premises in the Netherlands. It must be capable of acting as a fully self-sufficient business. The permanent establishment is part of your business, from which goods and/or services are provided. Examples of a permanent establishment include:
- A retail outlet or other permanent point of sale
- A workshop or factory with office space
Are you setting up a permanent establishment? Then you must register your establishment with the Handelsregister, the Dutch Business Register at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. KVK will automatically pass on your details to the Tax Administration. You do not need to register with the Tax Administration separately.
Registering a non-permanent establishment
A non-permanent establishment is a part of the business that cannot operate on its own. Examples of non-permanent establishments are:
- storage space and goods depots
- premises where activities such as research, advertising, or communications are carried out
- a holiday home that you rent out
Are you setting up a non-permanent establishment? Then you do not have to register with KVK. If you are liable to pay VAT in the Netherlands, you do need to register with the Tax Administration.
Voluntary registration
Perhaps you have Dutch customers who ask for a KVK number. You may register in the Dutch Business Register voluntarily, to comply with your customers' wishes.
Registering a temporary employment agency
Under the Dutch Workers Allocation by Intermediaries Act (Waadi), registration in the Dutch Business Register is mandatory for foreign businesses without a Dutch branch that provide workers on a paid basis in or to the Netherlands. Examples of these companies are:
- temporary employment agencies
- payroll companies
- so-called '06-vans' (mobile employment agencies)
- jobs pools based outside the Netherlands but active in the Netherlands
On the registration form for the Dutch Business Register, you must state explicitly that your organisation supplies workers in the Netherlands. Failing to do so may result in high administrative fines.
Online registration via Message Box
You can also use the Berichtenbox (Message Box) to register with KVK. Message Box is a secure email system that enables you as an entrepreneur to exchange digital messages with Dutch government agencies.
KVK number and VAT numbers
When you register with KVK and the Tax Administration, you will receive a KVK number from KVK and a VAT number and VAT-ID from the Tax Administration. Read more about Dutch business numbers.
Starting a business in the Netherlands from abroad
Perhaps you want to start a business in the Netherlands from abroad, for instance if you want to hire a family member to run the company for you. This company will be independent, so not a branch of an existing foreign company. To find out how to go about setting up such a company, read our article Starting a business in the Netherlands from abroad.
Statistics: foreign companies in the Netherlands
The number of companies in the Netherlands with foreign control has increased over the past years.
Source:Â CBSÂ CC BY 4.0Â