Register your vof

We use 3 criteria to determine whether you have a business:

1. You supply goods and/or services. Or you are preparing to do so. For example, you have already started buying products.
2. You demand more than symbolic payment for this. Or a (commercial) price or hourly rate that makes you money. Think of making a profit or cutting costs. So it is not a hobby that only costs money and does not make a profit.
3. You regularly provide goods and services to people other than just your family or friends.

Do you meet these 3 entrepreneurial criteria? Then you can register your business at KVK.

There are also 4 additional questions that say something about entrepreneurship and help you decide if registration is necessary.

Additional questions

1. Do you invest money and/or time to start or grow your company?
2. Do you work in your own business on a regular basis, as opposed to a one-off assignment? You should also register large one-off activities, such as Christmas tree sales.
3. Will you be working for more than 1 client? If you have a single client over a longer period of time, it is more likely that you are in salaried employment.
4. Do you decide when and how you do your work? Even if you get hired by a client. Does that apply to you too?

Are you in doubt? Check out the examples on how to deal with these 3 criteria and 4 questions.

Apply for DigiD via www.digid.nl. You need your citizen server number (BSN) to apply.

Do you live outside the Netherlands? You can apply for a DigiD abroad. To apply you need a BSN and the Dutch nationality, or the nationality of another country in the European Economic Area (EEA).

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.

You will receive a KVK number when you register in the Business Register. You can register from 1 week before the start date of your company, but you can also visit the KVK earlier to prepare your registration. You can do this up to 3 months before the start date. In this case, the actual registration (with KVK number) will take effect 1 week before the start date of your company. You do not need to return to the KVK offices for this.