How do I register a sole proprietorship if I live abroad?
- Edited 8 August 2025
- 2 min
You fill in the online registration form to register your sole proprietorship in the Business Register. Then you make an appointment at a KVK office to finalise your registration. Sometimes registration is not necessary. Read what you need to do in different situations.
When do I not register?
Do you live abroad and have a business there? Can you accept and carry out assignments and issue invoices without having a branch in the Netherlands? Then you do not have to register your sole proprietorship with KVK.
When do I register?
There are a number of situations in which you do register your sole proprietorship with KVK. You can register a maximum of 1 sole proprietorship. A sole proprietorship may have several trade names and activities.
We may ask for proof if we are unsure whether you carry out enough business activities in the Netherlands. The activities are the work a company or organisation does.
You live abroad. You want to come and work in the Netherlands for longer than 4 months.
You want to start a shop, for example, or a construction business. To do so, you must be registered in the Personal Records (BRP) at a Dutch residential address. You will then also get a citizen service (BSN). You will need this number for contact with Dutch government organisations, such as the Netherlands Tax Administration.
You live in Belgium or Germany. You carry out activities in the Netherlands, but you do not have a Dutch business address.
For example, you are a market vendor or have a home-improvement business. To register, you must prove that you often work in the Netherlands. You must also be registered in the Non-residents Records (RNI) with your foreign residential address.
You live abroad. You want to come and work in the Netherlands for fewer than 4 months.
You can only register if you have a Dutch visiting address. You must be registered with your foreign residential address in the Non-residents Record (RNI). After registration in the RNI, you will also receive a citizen service number (BSN). You need this number for contact with Dutch government organisations, such as the Netherlands Tax Administration.
How do I register my sole proprietorship?
Log in with DigiD and fill in the online registration form. Then make an appointment online at a KVK office to finalise the registration. You need DigiD to complete the online registration form and make an appointment at KVK.
How do I apply for DigiD?
- Do you have Dutch nationality? If so, check the DigiD to find out how to apply for one.
- Do you not have Dutch nationality? Then first register with the Non-residents Records (RNI). You will then immediately receive a citizen service (BSN) which you can use to apply for a .
Do I have to register my sole proprietorship with the Netherlands Tax Administration?
No, KVK will do that for you. You will be notified by post within 2 weeks of registration. The Netherlands Tax Administration will then send you your VAT identification number (VAT ID) and VAT tax number if these are required.
Do you live in Belgium or Germany?
The Netherlands has a tax treaty with Belgium and Germany. The Netherlands Tax Administration determines in which country you will pay tax. For more information, see the Netherlands Tax Administration's Cross-border Working and Business (in Dutch). An accountant or tax expert can help you further with questions about taxes.
Frequently asked questions
To register a new enterprise or organisation, you must pay a registration fee. If you want to purchase a certified KVK Extract from the Business Register when you register, you can do this directly.Â
DigiD is required to confirm your identity. In this way, we ensure that only authorised persons have access to data from an organisation.
Is your question not included? More frequently asked questions can be found on our Help and contact page. It also states how you can contact us.