Applying for a loan as a self-employed professional
- KVK Editors
- Background
- Edited 2 January 2026
- 2 min
- Managing and growing
- Finance
You are a zzp’er - a self-employed professional – and you want to invest in your business. For example, in a van, new laptop, or tools. Or you need extra working capital because your expenses are temporarily higher than your income. If you do not have enough money yourself, you can look for financing. Find out where you can borrow money as a zzp'er.
Types of financing for zzp'ers
Money within your business
First, try to organise financial space within your company. For example, try to have your customers (debtors) pay faster. And make use of the payment term on invoices you have to pay. Check if there are you are eligible for. For example, you can apply an if you buy business assets. This means your next tax bill will be lower.
Borrowing money from family or friends
Your family and friends are close to you and support you. Sometimes with money. If you borrow money from family or friends for your business, it is a business loan. So, treat it as business. Put the agreements on paper and pay interest and repayments. That is how you keep your relationships with friends and family good.
Supplier credit
Do you need a laptop or phone? The supplier can often give you credit. When purchasing a smartphone, for example, the supplier combines the instalment with the subscription in the monthly amount. Buying in instalments costs extra.
Apply for an overdraft
Do you need extra money more often for a shorter period of time? Then you can apply for an overdraft. This is a continuous loan where you can withdraw money up to an agreed maximum amount. An overdraft is linked to a current account at a bank. You pay interest on the amount you withdraw. You can add money and withdraw it again when you need it.
Borrowing money for a longer period
You can apply for a business loan from a bank or other lender. You will receive the loan amount in one go. You pay interest and repayments on the loan amount. You can usually apply online for a business loan for amounts from €5,000 to €250,000.
Microcredit
A microcredit is a business loan up to a maximum of €50,000. You mainly use this for investments in company assets and/or a stock of products. The term is between 1 and 10 years. Each month you repay part of your loan plus interest.
Factoring
With factoring, a bank or factoring company provides you with a credit or advances on invoices. Factoring can be used for invoices between entrepreneurs from €100. Factoring is not available for private consumer invoices.
Leasing
With leasing you finance business assets. For example, a car, delivery van, machine, or computer. There are several types of leasing. With a financial lease you take out a loan. For example, you own a car and repay the financing in instalments. You also bear the economic risk. In the case of an operational lease, the lease company remains the legal and economic owner. You are renting an object, as it were. A private lease for your car is also an alternative for the self-employed. Find out whether buying or leasing is the best option for you.
Choose your financing type with the Financing Finder
Want to know which form of financing is right for your business? Use the Financing Finder tool. Answer a number of questions and you will get an overview of types of financing you might find interesting and who provides them..
What to kook out for when applying for funding
Make sure you prepare a good funding application:
- Make sure your administration is up to date, so that a financier can quickly assess your application.
- Compare offers from 3 financiers. Pay attention to the interest rate, duration, and costs for closing the agreement.
- Convert the interest to an annual interest rate and determine whether that rate is appropriate. The MKB Financiering Foundation gives a guideline of a maximum of 20% per year for costs including interest. The Foundation has a quality mark for affiliated (in Dutch) and (in Dutch).
- Read the fine print of the credit proposal. A clear contract, a quality mark and membership of a sector organisation will help you make your choice. A quality mark and membership of a sector organisation ensure that financiers adhere to a code of conduct during the financing process.
Help with business financing
Want to know more about business financing? In The Financing Guide you will find information on how to apply for financing, what forms of financing are available, which form suits your situation, and who offers these forms. You can also contact the KVK Advice Team with your questions on 088 585 11 11.
