Registration at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce for EU self-employed professionals
Are you an EU citizen who wants to work in the Netherlands as a self-employed professional (zelfstandige zonder personeel or zzp'er in Dutch)? Depending on how long you plan on staying, you need to take certain steps.
If you plan on staying permanently and have business activities in the Netherlands, you must register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Business Register (Handelsregister). Check the criteria for qualifying as an entrepreneur, to know if you should register.
You want to work in the Netherlands as a self-employed professional for longer than 4 months
You need a business address in the Netherlands to register with the KVK. You can use your Dutch home address, if you plan on working from home. Or you can rent, lease or buy business premises.
Make an appointment with the municipal services in your place of residence. Bring a valid ID. Register with the Municipal Personal Records Database (Basisregistratie Personen, BRP). You will receive a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN). Registration is free of charge.
If you are registered with the municipality, you can apply for a DigiD. DigiD is a means of logging in digitally. 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.
Make an online appointment at the KVK. Fill out the correct digital registration form with your company details. Bring valid proof of your identity to your appointment. You can use your Dutch private address as your business address, if you will be running your business from home. If you have rented, leased or bought business premises, you must bring your rental, lease or purchase contract to the appointment. You pay a one-time fee to register at KVK.
In this visual, see step in step 1 what else you need to arrange before registering your business at the KVK:
Registering your company, step 1 and 2For more information about the actions in step 1 see How to start a business in the Netherlands.
You want to work in the Netherlands as a zzp'er for less than 4 months
If you plan on working in the Netherlands as a zzp'er for a short period of time, for instance as a fruit picker or in a construction project, you don’t have to register with the KVK, but you can; for instance because your client asks you for a KVK number. In that case, follow these steps.
You need a Dutch business address to register with the KVK. Do you have an accountant or a client whose address you can use? Ask them for a signed statement that they allow you to use their address as business address. Will you be renting or leasing business premises? Then, bring your rental or lease contract with you when you register at KVK (step 3).
If you want to work in the Netherlands as a self-employed professional for 4 months or less, and don’t plan on living in the Netherlands, you have to register with the Non-Residents Records Database (RNI, Register Niet-Ingezetenen). There are 19 municipalities where you can do this. Find the municipality most convenient for you and make an appointment. Bring a valid ID. You register using your home address in your EU-country. You will receive a citizen service number (BSN). Registration is free of charge.
If you are registered with the municipality, you can apply for a DigiD. DigiD is a means of logging in digitally. 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.
Make an online appointment at the KVK. Fill out the correct digital registration form with your company details. Registration at the KVK has a one-off registration fee. Bring the following to your appointment:
- A valid proof of your identity;
- Written proof of your home address abroad. For example, an extract (or a legalised copy of one) from the civil registry in your town of residence. Or a original (or legalised copy of a) bank statement, or other official document stating your home address. This document may be no older than 1 month. The home address on the document has to be the same as the address you have used for your RNI registration.
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.