Deregistering a legal entity
This page explains how dissolving and deregistering a legal entity works.
Are you closing down a legal entity (such as a BV, NV, vereniging, stichting, coöperatie or onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij)? If so, you must dissolve the business and then deregister it with KVK. First, check the articles of association to see what they say about dissolution. Then read on to find out what steps you need to take.
Does the legal entity have any assets?
This determines exactly how the deregistration of the legal entity will proceed and what is involved.
No assets: deregistration via fast-track liquidation
Fast-track liquidation (turboliquidatie) is a quick way to notify the KVK of both the dissolution and deregistration in one go.
- For a BV, you can submit the fast-track liquidation via My KVK.
- For other legal entities, you do this using Form 17a and the fast-track liquidation help form.
Assets are present: dissolving and deregistering in stages
First, dissolve the legal entity, then proceed with the liquidation, and finally deregister the legal entity. This process can take a few months in total. Read how liquidation works for a legal entity.
These are assets
Assets include, for example:
- Money in the business bank account or in cash
- Money owed to you by, for example, customers or the Netherlands Tax Administration
- Items such as tools, materials, computers, shelving units, company cars or vans
- Shares in other companies, such as an operating company
How to dissolve and deregister
Decide to dissolve the legal entity
Who is authorised to take this decision depends on the legal structure:
- BV or NV: the shareholders collectively
- Stichting: the board
- Vereniging, coöperatie or onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij: the general members' meeting. The articles of association specify the required majority of votes.
The people taking the decision to dissolve the legal entity must record this decision in writing. The legal entity is dissolved at the moment the decision to dissolve is taken, or on a future date. You can never dissolve a legal entity retrospectively.
Appoint the custodian of the books and records
This person must retain the BV’s records for at least 7 years following the dissolution. The director who submits the fast-track liquidation via KVK automatically becomes the custodian of the books and records (bewaarder van boeken en bescheiden).
Gather all the documents
You will need the following documents when dissolving a legal entity:
- Resolution to dissolve the company. This must include:
- The date of dissolution
- Signatures of the persons appointed in the articles of association, the general members' meeting, or the shareholders’ meeting.
- Balance sheet: an overview of the BV’s liabilities and equity capital at the time the resolution to dissolve the company was passed.
- Statement of income and expenditure: a list of income and expenditure for the past financial year. This is also known as a profit and loss account.
Settle your affairs properly
File the financial statements for previous years if you have not already done so. Also read the Checklist for closing a business so that you know what else you need to arrange when closing your business.
- Resolution to dissolve the company. This must include:
Notify the KVK of the dissolution
To do this, download Form 17a. Complete the form and send it by post to the KVK. The legal entity will continue to exist (‘in liquidation’) until the liquidators have completed the liquidation process.
Download form 17a- PDF document
- 16 pagina's
- 676,66 KB
- 09-01-2026
Please note! Deregistration is final
When you deregister your business, your KVK number will no longer be active. This may have consequences for, for example, your business bank account, mobile phone contract, benefits, insurance policies, and pension fund. So, settle all affairs for which you need your KVK number first, before deregistering.
Liquidate
Liquidation (vereffenen) involves distributing assets and paying off or settling debts. Read more about liquidation on the page Liquidation for a legal entity.
Specify in the dissolution resolution who the liquidators are
Usually, the directors act as liquidators. This is often recorded in the articles of association. You can also appoint other individuals or organisations as liquidators. You must record this in the dissolution resolution.
Notify KVK of the legal entity’s dissolution
Once the liquidation is complete, you must notify KVK of the legal entity’s dissolution. To do this, download Form 17b. Print the form, complete it and send it by post to the KVK.
Download form 17b- PDF document
- 7 pagina's
- 337,51 KB
- 02-06-2026
What happens after your deregistration?
- The legal entity will be deregistered on the date you pass on to us. On the page Current processing times, you can see how many working days it will take for your deregistration to appear in the Business Register.
- You will receive a letter from us as soon as your deregistration appears in the Business Register. Keep this letter safe as proof of deregistration.
- We will also deregister the UBOs. You do not need to do this yourself.
- We will forward your deregistration to the Netherlands Tax Administration.
Please note: Continue to submit your tax returns to avoid penalties
Continue to submit your returns for as long as they appear in ‘Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk’. The Tax Administration will send you a letter informing you when you need to submit your final VAT return.
Frequently asked questions about deregistering a legal entity
When you deregister your business, your KVK number will no longer be active. This may have consequences, for example, for your business bank account, telephone subscription, benefits, insurance, and pension fund. Take a look at the Ending your business checklist before deregistering your business.
Yes, you can. However, this must be done within 14 days of the dissolution resolution. Please use the Help form for fast-track liquidation to do this.
If it turns out during the liquidation process that the business has more debts than cash and assets, there are 2 options.
- The liquidators reach an agreement with all creditors regarding the repayment of the debts, without filing for bankruptcy. The liquidation and dissolution of the legal entity can then proceed.
- If such an agreement cannot be reached, the liquidators must apply to a court for the legal entity to be declared bankrupt. If a judge determines that it is no longer possible to pay the debts with the remaining assets, they will appoint a bankruptcy trustee. The trustee will oversee the remainder of the liquidation. You must apply for bankruptcy in good time. A liquidator who waits too long may be held personally liable for the losses suffered by creditors as a result. This means that you will have to pay the debts out of your own pocket.
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