Registration at KVK for EU self-employed professionals

1. Register with your municipality

You will need a home address in the Netherlands for this. Have you arranged a home address? If so, make an appointment with the municipality where you live. Please bring a valid form of identification with you.

The municipality will register you with the Municipal Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP). You will then receive a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN) This is a personal number that you will need when dealing with the government. Registration with the municipality is free of charge.

2.Apply for DigiD

If you are registered with the municipality, you can apply for a DigiD. With your DigiD, you can prove who you are when you arrange something with the government online. You need a DigiD to register with KVK.

3. Check which permits, documents, and qualifications you need

Before you register with KVK, make sure everything is in order for you to start working:

Permits

You may need a permit to do your work in the Netherlands. For example, if you want to work as a taxi driver or a security guard.

Check if you need any permits for your business

Drivers license

With a valid foreign driving licence, you are permitted to drive in the Netherlands for a certain period. In some cases, you may also be able to exchange your foreign driving licence.

More about driving with your foreign driving licence in the Netherlands

Diplomas

Do you have foreign qualifications? Check if they are valid in the Netherlands or if they have to be exchanged.

More about working in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma

4. Register your business with the Business Register at KVK

Note: Freelancer and zzp'er (zelfstandige zonder personeel) are not legal structures in the Netherlands. Most freelancers who register at KVK, do so as a sole proprietor.

Make an online appointment at KVK.

What to bring to the KVK appointment:

• the correct registration form with your company details
• valid proof of your identity
• if you rent, lease, or own business premises, you must bring your rental, lease, or purchase contract to the appointment
• possible other documents, listed in the confirmaion of the appointment

You pay a one-time fee to register at KVK.

Are you staying in the Netherlands less than 4 months in any half-year period? If so, follow the steps below to register with KVK.

1. Arrange a Dutch business address

You must have an address in the Netherlands for your business in order to register it with KVK.

Bring a copy of your signed purchase agreement, rental or lease contract, or user agreement for your business premises to your registration appointment at KVK (step 4).

2. Register as a non-resident

Do you want to work in the Netherlands as a self-employed professional for 4 months or less? And do younot plan on living in the Netherlands? Then you have to register with the Non-Residents Records Database (RNI, Register Niet-Ingezetenen). There are 19 municipalities where citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland can do this.

• check the list of RNI desks in the Netherlands on NetherlandsWorldwide
• make an appointment
• bring a valid proof of your identity
• register using your home address in your EU-country

You will receive a citizen service number (BSN). This is a personal number that you will need to contact the government.

Registration is free of charge.

3. Apply for DigiD

If you have received your BSN number, you can apply for a DigiD. With your DigiD, you can prove who you are when you arrange something with the government on the internet. You need a DigiD to register with the KVK.

4. Register your business with the Business Register at KVK

Note: Freelancer and zzp'er (zelfstandige zonder personeel) are not legal structures in the Netherlands. Most freelancers who register at KVK, do so as a sole proprietor.

Make an online appointment at KVK.

What to bring to the KVK appointment:

The correct registration form with your company details.

• a valid proof of your identity
• A signed copy of the purchase, lease, or rental contract or user agreement for the business address you will be using in the Netherlands.
• an extract (or a legalised copy of one) from the civil registry in your town of residence.

  • this document may be no older than 1 month.
  • The extract must be in Dutch, English, German, or French. If it is not in one of these languages, you must request a multilingual standard form from the public authority issuing the extract. A translation will then be attached to your extract.
  • the home address on the document has to be the same as the address you have used for your RNI registration.

Registration at KVK costs a one-off registration fee.

Be aware: if you are not registered at a Dutch address after 4 months, or if there are no business activities, KVK might remove your registration in the Business Register.