Registration at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce for EU self-employed professionals

If you plan on staying permanently, you must register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK) Business Register (Handelsregister). If you are coming to the Netherlands for less than 4 months, you don’t have to register with the KVK, but you can.

You want to work in the Netherlands as a self-employed professional for longer than 4 months

1. Find an address in the Netherlands

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.

2. Register with the municipal Personal Records Database (BRP)

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.

See step in step 1 what else you need to arrange before registering your business at the KVK:

3. Register your business with the Business Register at 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.

You want to work in the Netherlands as a self-employed professional 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.

1. Make sure you have a Dutch business address

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 (step 3).

2. Register as a non-resident

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 abroad. You will receive a citizen service number (BSN). Registration is free.

3. Register your business with the Business Register at 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. Also bring written proof of your home address abroad. For instance, an extract (or a legalised copy of one) from the civil registry in your town of residence. You can also bring an 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, the KVK will scrap your registration in the Business Register.

Registration at the KVK has a one-off registration fee.

Statistics: enterprise births

Number of enterprise births.