What does registration cost and why?

The company or legal entity must pay a one-off charge for compulsory registration. In addition, a company that has registered must pay an annual charge to the Chamber of Commerce. An administrative charge is made for extracts requested from the register.

How much do entrepreneurs have to pay?
The amount of the charge depends upon the legal form of the company and the region. A sole proprietor business, for example, pays less than a limited company. In addition, there are differences between the different regions. To find out the exact amount you would have to pay, please contact the Chamber of Commerce for your region (click on the box labelled 'addresses' at the top right hand corner of this page).

What does the Chamber of Commerce do with the money?
The Chamber of Commerce uses these funds to provide practical information to the business community, for administration and for regional development. In addition the Chamber of Commerce collects the statutory payment which has to be made to the Sociaal Economische Raad (Social Economic Council ) or SER.

What do entrepreneurs receive in return?

The Chamber of Commerce has an obligation to perform three tasks in return for the payment made. On receipt of your payment, it sends out information about which part of the charge relates to which of these three tasks.

1. Complying with the Trade Registration Act (Handelsregisterwet)
   To begin with, the Chambers of Commerce have to comply with a number of economic laws. The best known is the Trade Registration Act. Through the trade register you can obtain reliable and up-to-date information about your business contacts and fellow businessmen.
2. Support for the business community Our second task is to give support to the business community. We are happy to provide you with information on subjects such as exporting and starting-up. We provide information material and organize advice meetings.
3. Stimulating regional economic development Thirdly, we work to stimulate economic development within your region. The Chamber of Commerce will consult with local governments, for example, on new business sites and developing a more favourable business climate. 

Why is there aan extra charge an extract from the register?
Your contribution is only used for activities which will be of benefit to all companies in the area. Anyone who wants a service which is purely for his own use, such as a copy extract from the trade register, has to pay a charge to cover the costs involved. If the Chambers of Commerce were to provide copy extracts or other information totally free, or at a very low cost, then the yearly contribution would have to rise accordingly. You would then be paying towards the cost of other people obtaining copy extracts.
Why pay an annual contribution if you do not take advantage of the help available?
The annual contribution is not a specific amount to cover any information that you may seek. The government takes the view that it is in the general interests of the business community that the Chamber of Commerce is able to offer its services to the business community. In a way, your contribution pays for the right to have access to these services.

How is the annual contribution calculated?
The management board of the Chamber of Commece includes representatives of companies from that region. This management board decides annually on its activities for the forthcoming year and the costs involved with its plans. This estimate is then translated into a sum per task for that year, which requires the approval of the Minister for Economic Affairs.