Help with registration

You should use the registration forms to register your business. Select Bedrijf (‘Business’), choose a legal form, and follow the steps. Complete the forms as fully as possible. Once you have done this, book an appointment to finalise your registration at one of our offices. You can register at any Chamber of Commerce office in the Netherlands.

Report an additional branch ('nevenvestiging') of your company via our website. Choose the option 'wijzigen' in the Dutch online form. Fill in the company name or the KVK number. Follow the steps and send the data digitally.

Is the visiting address not the same as your private address? In that case, please submit 1 of the following documents as proof that you have permission to use this address as the visiting address for your branch:

• a copy of the rental or lease contract, signed by both parties; or
• a supporting document from the 'Kadaster' (Land Registry Office); or
• a declaration of consent. 

If you wish to register the branch in English, please submit the pdf Form 9: Company branch. Read more on how to use pdf forms.

Association with full legal capacity

You must visit a notary (in Dutch) to set up an association with full legal capacity. Once it has been set up, the notary usually registers it with the Business Register.

Association with limited legal capacity

You do not have to visit a notary to set up an association with limited legal capacity. It is not compulsory to register such an association with the Chamber of Commerce. However, registration is still advisable. Directors are jointly and severally liable, but can limit their liability by registering in the Business Register. After registration, they are liable only if creditors demonstrate that the association has not fulfilled its obligations.

Documents for registering an association with limited legal capacity

Do you want to register an association in the Business Register? You should collect the following documents for an association with limited legal capacity and send them to the postal address of the Chamber of Commerce.

• form 5: registering a foundation or association;
• form 22: registering an executive staff member of a foundation or association;
• a copy of a valid form of identification for each director;
• a written copy of the memorandum and articles of association, certified by the board of management, if available (every page initialled and the last page signed by the directors).

Confirmation and registration costs

After registration, we will send you a written confirmation and an invoice for the registration fee by post. You can request a certified KVK extracts from the Business Register immediately.

You must set up a foundation with a deed executed before a civil-law notary. Once it is set up, the civil-law notary registers it in the Business Register.

Register the foundation yourself

If you want to register the foundation yourself, gather the following documents and send them to the KVK postal address:

• A validated copy of the notarial deed of incorporation
• Form 5: Registering a foundation or association
• Form 22: Registering an officer of a foundation or association
• A copy of a valid form of ID for each director

Confirmation and registration fee

After registration, we will send you written confirmation of your registration and an invoice for the registration fee by post. You can apply directly for a certified KVK Extract from the Business Register.

From 1 July 2008, VvEs must be registered in the Business Register. The civil-law notary will register a newly created VvE for you.

Register a VvE with KVK

If you want to register an owner’s association (VvE) yourself, prepare the following documents:

• VvE registration form (Form 5)
• VvE officer registration form (Form 22)
• A copy of a valid form of ID for each director of the VvE
• A copy of the deed of division validated by the director(s) if the VvE was set up before 1 July 2008
• An original copy of the deed of division, authenticated* by a civil-law notary, if the VvE was set up after 1 July 2008 and is not yet registered with KVK
• A copy of the minutes of the meeting signed by the director(s) showing the appointment of the director(s)
• A copy of the attendance register, signed by all owners in attendance at the meeting

* Authenticated: each page contains the initials of the director(s), with the signature(s) on the last page.

If you do not have the deed of division, you can order a copy from the Land Registry Office (Kadaster, in Dutch) for a fee.

Submit registration forms and documents

Send the forms and documents to the KVK postal address.

After registration, we will send a registration confirmation and an invoice for the one-time registration fee by post. You can immediately request a certified KVK Extract.

Report an additional branch (office) using our website. Go to ‘wijzigen’ (change) and enter the name of the association/foundation or the KVK number. Complete the steps and submit the information online. As additional proof, attach a copy of the lease, purchase, or pledge agreement for the new visiting address, signed by 2 parties.

Please note that this online process is only available in Dutch. For a full English procedure, make use of one of the printable forms in English.

Additional supporting documents

Is the visiting address not the same as the private address of a registered official? Then provide 1 of the following documents as proof that you may use this address as the visiting address for the establishment of the association or foundation:

• a copy of the lease, purchase, or tenancy agreement signed by both parties, or
• a certificate from the Land Registry Office (Kadaster), or
• a declaration of consent

Do I need to register or not?

In doubt about whether or not to register the branch? Then check the flowchart for registration of branches for foundations and associations (in Dutch).

Read more about registering an undisclosed partnership.

In the Business Register, the company is registered and, separately, the person to whom the company belongs. The company has a so-called trade name (with which the company presents itself to the outside world). The person who runs the company also has a name. This can be the name of an individual, but also of a general partnership, private limited company, (undisclosed) partnership, etc.

The words 'undisclosed partnership' ('stille maatschap') or 'partnership' ('maatschap') cannot appear in the trade name of the company. If this is the case, there is no longer an undisclosed partnership, since the partnership then appears to the outside world under a common name. However, the words 'undisclosed partnership' ('stille maatschap') must be included in the name of the undisclosed partnership for registration purposes. This is necessary to distinguish between a professional and an undisclosed partnership.

Please note: if external action is taken under the name of the undisclosed partnership, the partnership will soon be seen as a professional partnership. It is therefore important to use the words 'undisclosed' or 'partnership' only internally. For external transactions, such as purchases and sales, use the chosen company name without the words 'undisclosed partnership' ('stille maatschap') or 'partnership' ('maatschap').

If you already have one 'eenmanszaak' (sole proprietorship), you cannot register a second one. You can in fact make changes to your current sole proprietorship, such as new activities or an additional trade name. If the new activities take place at an address other than the one currently registered, you need to register a branch.

This depends on the number of weeks you have been deregistered and the proof you have for this.

Did you deregister your 'eenmanszaak' (sole proprietorship) more than 6 weeks ago? Then it is not possible to reactivate your company. You have to register a new eenmanszaak. To register, use the registration form. Complete the digital form completely. Then make an appointment at a KVK office to finalise your registration. Registration can be done at any KVK office in the Netherlands.

This new registration will give you a new KVK number and a new VAT number.

Was your eenmanszaak deregistered less than 6 weeks ago? And do you want to rectify this deregistration?

This is only possible if you can prove with supporting documents that your company has continued to be active until today. Only then can we rectify the deregistration. You can submit the rectification notice to us within 6 weeks (after the date of our confirmation letter) using form 18. Do this together with additional documentary evidence such as bank statements, a statement from a bookkeeper or accountant, and/or recent purchase and sales invoices. Our colleagues at the Business Register will assess whether the supporting documents are satisfactory. You keep the same KVK number in the event of rectification.

The Tax and Customs Administration is not automatically notified of the rectification or reopening of your deregistration.
To reactivate your VAT number, send a letter to the Tax and Customs Administration stating that you want to activate your company's VAT number (with a KVK number). Send the letter to:

Belastingdienst/Klantbeheer
Postbus 2892
6401 DJ Heerlen

It is not certain that your VAT number will remain exactly the same. It is possible that your subnumber will change. For example 123456789B01 becomes 123456789B02.

Read more about registering a foreign company.

You can only register your business if you have a Dutch visiting address. Do you live in an area bordering the Netherlands? And can you show genuine, physical business activities in the Netherlands? Only then you can register with a visiting address that is abroad. Follow these steps to register:

• Choose a legal form and fill in the (digital) registration form
  To register as a sole proprietorship (zzp), you need a DigiD. You apply for this using your Citizen Service Number (BSN). If you do not have a BSN, follow these steps:
  • Register in the Non-residents Records Database (RNI)
  • You will immediately get a BSN.
  • Use your BSN to apply for a DigiD. The Netherlands Worldwide website explains how to apply for a DigiD abroad. This requires Dutch nationality, or the nationality of another country in the European Economic Area (EEA).
  • Use your DigiD to register your sole proprietorship.
• Make an appointment and complete your registration at a KVK office.
• Bring the following with you:
  • A valid proof of identity and an original extract (or a legalised copy) from the personal records database where you live, or another original proof (or a legalised copy), such as from an official organisation or a bank, showing your private address.
    Note: this proof may not be older than 1 month. Submit this proof in a language we can read. If we cannot read it, KVK can ask you to have the documents translated into Dutch, English, German or French. This does not need to be by a sworn translator.
  • A copy of the rental, purchase or lease contract of the (Dutch) visiting address. This must be signed by 2 parties.

To register the new official, use the online form. Fill in which organisation you want to arrange this for and go through the steps. The form states whether the new official must provide personal identification and what supporting documents we need.

You register or deregister an official or change the data via a (Dutch-language) digital form. Fill in your company name or KVK number, select the relevant branch if necessary, then click on 'Functionaris(sen)' (Officials).

Synchronise deregistration and registration

Does the director or partner who will be deregistered also sign for the registration of the new director or partner? Then give the deregistration form to the new director or partner when they come to register at a KVK office.

This will prevent the registration and deregistration from crossing paths, possibly making registration impossible at that time. Only a director or partner who is still registered may sign for the registration of a new director or partner.

Check whether the change has consequences for the UBO registration

Has your organisation registered its UBOs in the UBO Register? Then you need to keep your UBO registration up to date. Via the online UBO Report, you can determine whether the new director or partner will also become a UBO of your organisation and immediately register the new UBO or report a change.

Consequences for (financial) institutions

A change of officials may have consequences for, for instance, permits of the municipality, financing, insurance, pension fund, or bank account of the company. Consult the website of the relevant (financial) institution for which steps you must follow when changing officials.

You arrange registration via our website:

• visit report a change
• search for and select the organisation
• then choose 'official(s)'

Submit digitally (processing time 2 working days)

You can submit the form digitally if it is a new director for an association, foundation, or owner's association (VvE) without commercial activities/without a company.

The new director signs the form in 2 steps via DigiD:

• log in with DigiD or the DigiD app
• transfer 1 cent via iDEAL

Then the person making the declaration (the declarant) receives an email with the digitally signed form. This person also signs the form in the above steps via DigiD and then submits the form.

Is the address still correct?

Is the organisation's address also the address of a departing director? Then also submit a change of address. Immediately check whether the other contact details are still current.

Who may sign?

Only a still registered director may sign for the entry (registration) of a new director. Will the outgoing director also sign for the registration of the new director? Then send the registration of the new director and the deregistration of the outgoing director simultaneously.

Personal identification requirement

Does the association or foundation have commercial activities/an enterprise? If so, each new director will identify themselves in person at a KVK office with a valid proof of identity. The registration of a new director of an association or foundation with an enterprise is done with a form (in Dutch) that you complete via our website and then print. A director who is currently registered in the Business Register will sign the form. You have to bring a copy of a valid identity document of this person. To visit KVK, make an appointment online by logging in with DigiD. You can register at any KVK office in the Netherlands.

Check whether the change affects the UBO registration

Check whether the new director also becomes a UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) of your organisation. Also check whether there are consequences for the other UBOs in your organisation. For example, does the size of the interest held by the existing UBOs in your organisation change?

Via the online UBO report, you can register a new UBO or submit a change.

Please note: The UBO registration does not apply to VvEs and informal associations without a company.

Consequences for (financial) institutions

Changing board members may have consequences for, for example, municipal permits, financing, insurance, pension funds, or your organisation's bank account. Consult the website of the relevant (financial) institution which steps to follow when changing officials.

Use a change form for this purpose, or Form 11 if it cannot be done digitally. Enclose a copy of the notarial deed of transfer of shares. This is not necessary if a civil-law notary signs the form. Check whether the change affects the UBO report.

Authorised signatory and copy of ID

A director, who is currently registered in the Business Register, signs the form. Send the form to the KVK postal address together with a valid proof of identity of the authorised signatory and the sole shareholder. You do not send a copy of the sole shareholder's proof of identity if this person is already registered as a director or supervisory director (in the same KVK number).

To register the new official, use the online form. Fill in which organisation you want to arrange this for and go through the steps. The form states whether the new official must provide personal identification and what supporting documents we need.

You must register your company within 1 week before or after the start of your business activities.

You can also visit our offices earlier to register your company. You can do this up to 3 months before your start date. To do this, make an appointment with one of our offices.

We will handle the actual registration in the week before the start date you provide. You do not need to visit a Chamber of Commerce (KVK) office again for this. After registration, we will send you a written confirmation of your registration and an invoice for the registration fee by post.

Even with a starting date of 1 January, you register your company one week before or one week after you start business activities. To do so, complete your registration at home. Then you make an appointment online for the identification check and to complete your registration. You will immediately receive your KVK number. Registration can be done at any KVK office in the Netherlands.

Come by earlier

You may also visit us earlier for the check of your pre-completed details and proof of identity. In this case, you will receive your KVK number by post in the week after Christmas. You can schedule an appointment up to 8 weeks in advance.

VAT ID

The Tax and Customs Administration ('Belastingdienst') issues the VAT ID from the company's start date (1 January). Within 2 weeks, the 'Belastingdienst' sends a letter with your VAT ID. Does it take longer to receive the VAT ID? Then contact the Tax Information Line ('BelastingTelefoon') at 0800 05 43.

Bring valid proof of identity and a debit or credit card to pay the one-off registration fee. You can directly request a certified KVK Business Register Extract. If applicable, bring a copy of the lease, cv, vof, professional partnership, or franchise contract signed by all parties. Does your organisation also need to register UBOs? If so, bring the necessary information and documents with you as well:

• Preparation for registering UBOs for a new nv, bv, SE, or SCE
• Preparation for registering UBOs for a new foundation
• Preparation for registering UBOs  for a new cv, vof, professional partnership, EEIG, or shipping company
• Preparation for registering UBOs for a new association, cooperative, or mutual insurance company

To register a new enterprise or organisation, you must pay a one-time registration fee. If you want to purchase a certified KVK Extract from the Business Register when you register, you can do this directly at the current fee. Payment is only possible with a mobile phone, debit card, or credit card.

You can register your business with registrations forms. Choose 'Register new company', go through the steps, and complete the forms as completely as possible. Bring them with you when you visit an office in person to finalise the registration. Make an appointment for this. Registration can be done at any KVK office in the Netherlands.

Registration in the preparation phase is possible in some cases. Preparations include ordering goods, applying for permits, or renting business premises. To complete the registration, make an appointment online by logging in with DigiD. Registration is possible at any KVK office in the Netherlands.

To register an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) or vof (general partnership), you need a DigiD. Do you not have one? Then apply for a DigiD via www.digid.nl/. You do this with a citizen service number (BSN).

Do you live outside the Netherlands? The Netherlands Worldwide website tells you how to apply for a DigiD from abroad. This requires a BSN and Dutch nationality, or the nationality of another country in the European Economic Area (EEA).

If you cannot log in with DigiD, it could be because of:

• Wrong username or password: check that you are using the correct details. Pay attention to uppercase and lowercase letters.
• Your DigiD is not activated. First activate your DigiD with the activation code you received by letter in the mail.
• Your DigiD is blocked. Wait until the block is lifted and try again (after 15 minutes).
• Your DigiD has expired, because you have not used it for 3 years. Apply for a DigiD again.