Step-by-step plan: Starting as a parcel delivery driver

Entrepreneurs who intend to stay in the Netherlands must meet several requirements. You may need a residence permit, depending on your country of origin. Check out which requirements apply to you. Also read about the general first steps when setting up a business in the Netherlands.

You want to become an independent courier or parcel delivery driver and transport goods. You will do this for payment, ordered by someone else. For example, as a self-employed parcel deliverer for an online shop. By law, you are then a professional haulier. You must apply for one or more road haulier licences.

According to the Employment Relationships Deregulation Act (Wet DBA), you must ensure that your working relationship with your client(s) is correct. For example, does your client determine how you do your work? Or do they continue to pay you when you are on holiday or ill? Then chances are that you are actually employed. This situation is called false self-employment. Find out how to prevent false self-employment.

Before you start working as a self-employed parcel delivery driver or independent bicycle courier, you must register in the KVK Business Register. You pay a registration fee for this. You do not have to register separately with the Netherlands Tax Administration. This is done automatically. Read what you need to prepare before registering.

You buy or lease a vehicle to deliver goods. There are rules about the driving licence you need:

• Driving licence B

Driving licence B allows you to drive a vehicle with a total weight not exceeding 3,500 kilos. The total weight is the vehicle and parcels added together.

• Driving a heavier electric van with B driving licence

Are you going to transport goods with an electric van? The government wants you to be allowed to drive heavier electric vehicles with your B driving licence. The condition is that you have had your driving licence for more than 2 years. The rules and effective date are not yet final.

• B driving licence exemption for heavy electric vans

Did you buy a zero-emission van that weighs more than 3,500 kilos (but up to a maximum of 4,250 kilos) before 1 October 2023? If so, a temporary exemption will allow you to drive your zero-emission van with driving licence B instead of C1. This exemption will last until 1 July 2025.

• Trailer

Do you want to tow a trailer behind your van? Then you sometimes need a driving licence BE or B+ code 96. This is the case if the weight of the trailer or semi-trailer exceeds 750 kilos. And the weight of your vehicle and the trailer together exceeds 3,500 kilos.

As a parcel delivery driver, you need a Euro licence if the load capacity of your vehicle exceeds 500 kilos. Is the load capacity of your vehicle less than 500 kilos but the maximum permitted weight 2,500 kilos or more? Then you must also apply for a permit. Read more about applying for a euro licence (in Dutch) on NIWO.nl.

Will you only transport goods within the Netherlands? Or will you also transport goods in another EU country? Domestic transport within another EU Member State is called cabotage. Restrictions apply (in Dutch).

For parcel delivery outside the EU, you may need an ECMT licence (in Dutch) or a journey authorisation (in Dutch). The requirements differ per destination country.

You are required to have motor vehicle liability insurance (WAM). Do you share your van with another parcel delivery driver? If so, you should discuss this with your insurance company beforehand.

As an independent parcel deliverer, you are at risk and responsible for the financial consequences. For example, if you fall ill or are involved in an accident. You can get insurance against many risks. For example, with liability insurance and disability insurance.

Business records give insight into your financial position. If you want to benefit from tax advantages, you have to meet the hours criterion, for example. You can do your administration yourself or hire someone to do it for you. You are obliged to keep your records for 7 years.

You determine your own rates. Calculate in advance what you need to live on. You also have to pay income tax and an income-related healthcare contribution (Zvw). And arrange insurances and a pension.

A turnover calculation will give you clarity. Use the KVK calculation tool (in Dutch) to calculate your hourly rate based on the net income you expect to need.

With some large clients, the rate for self-employed parcel deliverers may already be fixed. Check in which cases you may make agreements with other self-employed parcel deliverers about your prices.

From 1 January 2025, many cities will have an zero-emission zone in their city centre. This means that vans running on diesel or petrol will no longer be allowed to drive into the inner-city area.

Environmental zones

In big cities and in areas where many people live, there are often environmental zones. These are places where diesel motor vehicles are banned or restricted. Check whether you can enter an environmental zone (in Dutch) with your vehicle.

Apply for subsidies for electric driving

You may be able to take advantage of subsidies and tax breaks for electric driving. Check the subsidy guide from Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO (in Dutch) to see if there is a scheme that suits your sustainable transport plans.

Draw up general terms and conditions so that it is clear what rights and obligations you and your clients have. And who is responsible for what. You are not obliged to have general terms and conditions. If you draw up general terms and conditions, there are rules you must follow. For example, you may not set unreasonable conditions and you have an obligation to provide information.

You have to pay turnover tax (VAT) and income tax. You can submit your own tax returns to the Netherlands Tax Administration. Or you can hire someone to file your tax return for you. For example, a bookkeeper, accountant, or tax consultant.

You are entitled to a basic government pension when you stop working. This is regulated by the General Old Age Pensions Act (AOW). As an entrepreneur, you do not automatically build up extra pension like someone in employment. There are various options for supplementing the basic pension yourself.