Registering a business or company

Register with KVK to enter your business or company into the Business Register (Handelsregister).

What is a legal structure and which one suits my situation?

When you start a business, you must choose a legal structure. This is the legal form of your company. Among other things, it determines your liability for your company's debts and your tax obligations. Are you unsure which legal structure suits you best? Answer a few questions and find the right legal structure for your situation.

Can I register my business myself or do I need to go to a civil-law notary?

That depends on the legal structure you choose. For example, are you starting a BV (private limited company) or a stichting (foundation)? Then you will need to go to a civil-law notary to set it up. The civil-law notary will usually also take care of registration in the Business Register.

Which legal structures can I register myself?

You register these businesses and organisations yourself. You can do this by completing online or paper forms. Sometimes you need to make an appointment online with KVK to finalise your registration in the Business Register.

Eenmanszaak

An eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) is a business where you are the sole owner. For example, for self-employed professionals, freelancers, or ZZP'ers.

Vennootschap onder firma (VOF)

A VOF (general partnership) is a business with 2 or more owners working under the same business name.

Maatschap

A maatschap (professional partnership) is a business with 2 or more entrepreneurs in the same profession, working together under same business name.

Commanditaire vennootschap (CV)

A CV (limited partnership) is a business in which at least one owner and one investor work together under the same business name.

Kerkgenootschap

A kerkgenootschap (religious organisation) is an organisation for people of the same religion.

Publiekrechtelijke rechtspersoon

A publiekrechtelijke rechtspersoon (public legal entity) is an organisation created by law to perform public tasks.

Other legal entities under private law

A legal entity under private law is, for example, a farming land owners’ association (boermarke), a foundation (fundatie), neighbourhood unit (buurtschap), or guild.

Rederij

A rederij (shipping company) is when a group of people and/or organisations jointly own a single ship.

Vereniging met beperkte rechtsbevoegdheid

It is not mandatory to register an association with limited legal capacity at KVK, but doing so reduces the personal liability of the directors.

What legal structures can a civil-law notary establish?

A civil-law notary establishes the following businesses and organisations. In most cases, the civil-law notary will also register them in the Business Register. This means that you do not need to make an appointment with KVK to finalise your registration.

Besloten vennootschap (BV)

A BV (private limited company) is a business in which you work alone or with several owners under the same business name.

Naamloze vennootschap (NV)

An NV (public limited company) is a business in which you work alone or with several owners under the same business name. A minimum start-up capital of £45,000 is required.

Stichting

A foundation (stichting) is an organisation with or without commercial activities, that wants to achieve a specific goal.

Vereniging van eigenaars (VvE)

An owners' association (VvE) is an organisation whose members have all purchased an apartment in the same building.

Vereniging met volledige rechtsbevoegdheid

An association with full legal capacity is a formal association in which members work together to achieve a (social) goal.

BV or NV in oprichting

Start a BV or NV in the process of incorporation if you want to carry out activities while the civil-law notary is still working on the formation.

Coöperatie or onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij

Associations that help their members to obtain benefits or to help each other.

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. 

On the current processing times page you can see how long it takes for changes to be processed. Did you submit your change or deregistration online? Then you can view the status in My KVK.

We use different postal addresses and PO Box numbers. Find out which postal address applies to your situation.

You can find a civil-law notary on notaris.nl (in Dutch)

More information on civil-law notaries in the Netherlands. 

To incorporate a new business or organisation you will pay between €500 and €1,500 depending on the civil-law notary you use.

Each company takeover or transfer is different. If your situation is not listed here, please contact us, so we can help you. 

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