Register and make an appointment

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

Register a business yourself or go to a civil-law notary?

You must go to a civil-law notary for the formation of some legal structures. For example, if you are starting a foundation or a private limited company (BV). The civil-law notary usually also takes care of the registration in the Business Register.

Legal structures that you can register yourself

Are you not sure which legal structure is right for you? Answer a few questions and find the right legal structure for your situation.

Eenmanszaak

Register an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship), a legal form for self-employed professionals, freelancers, or ZZP'ers.

Vennootschap onder firma (VOF)

Register a VOF (general partnership) with 2 or more owners.

Maatschap

Register a maatschap (professional partnership) with 2 or more entrepreneurs in the same profession.

Commanditaire vennootschap (CV)

Start a CV (limited partnership) with one or more investors.

Church organisations

Register a church organisation, with or without religious statutes.

Publiekrechtelijke rechtspersoon

Register a public legal entity. For instance: a municipality, independent administrative body, or university.

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 (shipping company)

Start a shipping company if you own a ship with one or more co-owners.

Vereniging met beperkte rechtsbevoegdheid

It is not mandatory to register an association with limited legal capacity at KVK. However, it is wise to do so, as it reduces the personal liability of the directors.

Transfer or take over

Are you taking over a business? Then also check out the these important steps.

Legal structures set up by a notary

A civil-law notary takes care of the formation and registration of the following businesses and organisations in the Business Register. This means that you do not need to visit KVK.

Besloten vennootschap (BV)

Register a private limited company (BV), alone or with others.

Naamloze vennootschap (NV)

Start a public limited company (NV), alone or with others, with start capital of at least €45,000.

Stichting

Start a foundation (stichting), with or without commercial activities.

Vereniging van eigenaars (VvE)

Start an owners' association (VvE) to manage and/or maintain the common areas and matters of an apartment building.

Vereniging met volledige rechtsbevoegdheid

Start an association with full legal capacity. This is a formal association, used to achieve a (social) goal together.

BV or NV in oprichting

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

Coöperatie or onderlinge waarborgmaatschappij

Start a partnership with other entrepreneurs to gain mutual benefits or help each other.

Other types of registrations

What kind of registration or change would you like to make?

Registering a new official

Register a new officer for a business or organisation.

Registering an official of a foreign legal form

Register a new official for your foreign company.

Registering a branch of a business

Register a new establishment or branch of, for example, a sole proprietorship, general partnership (VOF) or private limited company (BV).

Registering a branch of a non-commercial legal entity

Register a new establishment or branch of, for example, a foundation, association, or legal entity under public law.

Registering the company of a legal entity

Register a company of an existing foundation or association.

Register UBOs

Register, view, change, or deregister the ultimate beneficial owner of a business or organisation.

Foreign company registration

Register a foreign company with a branch in the Netherlands.

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.

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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