Register a new business

An eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) is a legal form in which you are solely responsible for the business. You are privately liable for business debts.

Start a business with a business partner, and work together with one trade name.

Start a business with an invester.

Exercise your profession as a self-employed professional with others. For example as dentists, architects, physical therapists, vets, farmers, or lawyers.

With a bv (comparable to a private limited company) you reduce the risk of being held personally liable for your company's debts. Do you need a lot of capital for your company? Then choose the nv (comparable to the public limited company).

The notary usually registers a new stichting, vereniging (provided there is a notarial deed involved), or vereniging van eigenaars (owners' association, VvE) on your behalf. You can also take care of the registration yourself.

With a company takeover, the KVK number usually changes. You must re-register the company.

Do you want to register several officials? Please make a separate appointment for each official.

Benefit from the advantages of a collective. For example, through joint purchasing and marketing. Then the coöperatie (cooperative) or onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij (mutual insurance society) is a suitable legal form.

Register your foreign legal entity or entity if you have at least one branch in the Netherlands.

If you have operations in several countries, a European legal form can be useful.

EU companies can set up an EEIG to work together.

Also known as the European Cooperative Society. You can register a Societas Cooperative Europaea (SCE) in all EU member states. You can also move the headquarters to another country without dissolving and re-establishing the legal form.

Several vessels of a shipping company are operated under a single name.

A public legal entity is, for instance, a municipality, independent administrative body, or university.

A legal entity under private law is, for example, a farming land owners’ association (boermarke), a foundation (fundatie), neighbourhood unit (buurtschap), religious organisation (church congregation, parish, or part thereof), or guild.

Check the rules and register a religious community.