SBI codes have changed. Check your details in the Business Register
- 10 June 2025
- Edited 8 September 2025
- 2 min
- Managing and growing
Every company or organisation registered in the Business Register has 1 or more SBI codes listed as part of its registration. These codes show what your company or organisation does. In September 2025, many SBI codes have changed. Check that the description of your activities is still correct.
From 5 to 7 September, KVK replaced the old SBI code(s) in the Business Register with 1 or more new ones where necessary. We have looked at the description of your activities and chosen the SBI code that best corresponds to it. Check whether the description of your activities and your SBI code(s) are still correct. To do so, log into My KVK with DigiD and adjust your activity description if it is no longer correct. If you want to, you can also suggest a suitable SBI code yourself. KVK will assign the correct SBI code(s) to your company or organisation.Â
Please note: if you adjust the description of your business activities, you must do this in Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch, please use an online translation tool. Your changes will be checked by KVK.
What are the risks of having an incorrect SBI code?
If the description of your activities is not correct, you probably do not have the correct SBI code(s) either. You may then face problems. For example, the government, banks, and other organisations use your SBI code(s) to check:
- whether you can get a subsidy
- whether you must join a compulsory pension scheme
- whether you can borrow money
- what your insurance premium is
Is your company or organisation going to carry out new activities or stop certain activities? Or has the order of your main activities changed? If so, always report this immediately via My KVK or the form for reporting a change.
Video: SBI codes are changing. Check your details
Why is KVK issuing new SBI codes?
The SBI codes change approximately every 15 years. This is regulated at the European level. It happens because new business activities appear, and old ones disappear. For example, new activities around environmental and sustainability issues. Or the rise of online platform companies, such as marketplaces and comparison sites. Activities have also disappeared, such as video rental stores.
The changes mean the codes better reflect reality. They also bring the codes more in line with European countries around us. International reports and comparisons of statistics will be more accurate.
What is an SBI code?
An SBI code is a 5-digit code that shows what a company or organisation does. SBI is the abbreviation for Standaard Bedrijfsindeling  (Standard Industrial Classification). All companies and organisations that register with KVK are given 1 or more SBI codes related to their activities. You get a separate SBI code for each activity.
The Standard Industrial Classification list is managed by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). You will find an overview of all SBI (in Dutch) on their website.
Some examples of changesÂ
Some codes have changed completely. Old codes consisting of only 4 digits now have an extra number (a zero) so that there are always 5 digits.
There is now only one code for online sales and sales through physical shops, as many companies combine physical and online sales.
New codes have also been added, such as the code for ‘intermediaries and brokers’. These are online marketplaces and comparison sites.
More can be found at the website of Statistics Netherlands, CBS.
