Step-by-step plan: Starting a pop-up store in the Netherlands

A pop-up store is a useful way to test whether your business idea works or your product sells. When you open up a pop-up store, you are not immediately tied to a long-term rental contract, unless you agree to do so.

You can open a pop-up store in many places. For example, in an empty retail building or in an office that is for rent. Contact your municipality and anti-squat organisations to find addresses of properties that are vacant. Or visit real estate agents in your area.

Read more tips for opening a pop-up shop on the KVK website.

Check with your municipality if you are allowed to use the business space as a shop. The type of business space determines whether the property is suitable for your business plan and which lease rules apply to you.

There are 2 types of business spaces:

• Medium-sized business spaces that everyone can visit. You sell products or services directly to the visitor. For example, a flower shop, café, or clothing store.
• Other business spaces which are not directly accessible to everyone. Such as offices, showrooms, and factories.

The type of business space you rent determines the notice period and rent protection. Separate rules also apply to the term of the lease (step 6).

The municipality’s environment plan sets out the plans for the building and its surroundings. It also states whether you are permitted to carry out your planned activities at a particular location. Check the environment plan to see if you are allowed to open a temporary shop and what rules apply.

Read how to use the environment plan.

If your plans do not fit iwith the environment plan, for example, if you want to open a pop-up shop in an old school where this is not allowed, you can ask for a short exemption, a waiver, or a permit. You can apply for this via the Environment and Planning portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch).

Via the Omgevingsloket, you can also check which permits you need. Do the permit check (in Dutch).

Each municipality has its own rules and regulations. So, submit your plans for your pop-up shop to your municipality to find out if you meet all the requirements.

Many rules and regulations can be found in the General Municipal By-Law (Algemene Plaatselijke Verordening, APV) of your municipality. For example, the rules for opening hours. You can find more information about the APV of your municipality via the Overheid.nl search tool (in Dutch).

Check which permits you need in your situation.

Permits you may also need:

Environment and planning permit

Check whether you need an Environment and planning permit (Omgevingsvergunning) for your plans. Do you want to advertise on your building? Or are you going to renovate? Check if you need to apply for a permit.

Event licence

Do you want to organise a party? For example, to celebrate the opening of your pop-up store? Check if you need to apply for an event licence.

Music licence

Do you play music in your pop-up store? Then you must comply with music rights and apply for a licence to play music.

Selling food and drink

If you sell food and drinks, you may need an operating licence for a catering company. Do you serve alcohol? Then you must apply for an alcohol licence.

It is important to make agreements about the duration of the rental contract, because a pop-up store is a temporary store.

Renting for less than 2 years

Do you want to open a pop-up store for 2 years or less? And do you not want to be tied to a rental contract for a longer period? Make clear agreements about this with the landlord and include them in the rental contract. Lay down in writing that you enter an agreement for less than 2 years. And that you will not exceed this period of 2 years, should you renew the lease.

Read more about renting commercial property on KVK.

What to agree in a lease arrangement

In the lease you also make other arrangements about, for example:

• the rental price and payment term
• VAT
• rent increase
• what adjustments you can make to the property
• agreements about maintenance
• municipal taxes

Also check whether the building meets safety requirements, such as fire safety, and make agreements about your responsibilities.

Temporary user agreement

You can also opt for a temporary user agreement if you want to rent a business space. For a couple of weeks or months, for example. You then pay a user fee to the landlord for the temporary use of the property or part of the property. A user agreement also has disadvantages. For example, you may not be entitled to rental protection. It is advisable to have the user agreement checked by a lawyer.

Is your pop-up store a hobby or a business? To answer this question, you check whether you meet the 3 criteria set by KVK. Do you? Then you must register with KVK.

After you have registered with KVK, the Netherlands Tax Administration will assess whether you are an entrepreneur for VAT and income tax purposes. The Tax Administration uses several criteria.

Do you have to register with KVK (Step 7)? First follow the steps in our article on how to start a business in the Netherlands. Then continue with the steps on this page.

Are you already registered with KVK? For example, because you have an online shop? In that case, pass on the address of your pop-up store to KVK.

You usually have to pay income tax over your profit. And you calculate VAT on the price of your products, unless your products or services are exempt.

When you rent a business space, you must pay municipal taxes and fees. For example:

• sewage charges
• property taxes (OZB)
• waste tax

Always check with your municipality which taxes you have to pay.

Do you prepare or sell food? If so, you must register with the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA, in Dutch). You will need eHerkenning to do this.

Comply with food safety regulations

If you sell food and drink, you must comply with the rules for hygiene and food safety. That way, you make sure your customers do not get ill from consuming your food or drink. The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) checks that you work safely and hygienically.

You must work with a food safety plan based on the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). You can make your own plan. Inspectors of the NVWA will assess your plan when they come to inspect your pop-up store. However, it is easier to work with an approved hygiene code from your sector organisation. For example, the one sold by the Dutch hospitality sector organisation KHN. A hygiene code contains rules on how to monitor food safety and hygiene.

Do you make and/or sell non-food products? They must be safe to use. Your role in making or selling a product determines your responsibilities. Find out what you need to do to ensure products are safe.

You must follow the rules for the packaging you use. For example, for disposable plastic containers and plastic bags. Check the rules for single-use plastics.