Register a vereniging met beperkte rechtsbevoegdheid

Limited legal capacity means that the vereniging cannot perform all legal activities. For example, the vereniging is not fully legally independent. That means it cannot own real estate, like a house or building. Nor can a vereniging simply inherit. 

Do you want to start a vereniging met volledige rechtsbevoegdheid (association with full legal capacity)? A civil-law notary will do this for you.

What is a vereniging met beperkte rechtsbevoegdheid?

A vereniging met beperkte rechtsbevoegdheied (association with limited legal capacity), also known as an informele vereniging is a Dutch legal structure. An association has members and organises activities to achieve a common goal with its members in fields such as sports, political interests, making music, or nature conservation. You do not set up a vereniging to make a profit, but it is allowed. For example, an association can organise activities to earn money. You must use the profit for the purpose for which the association was founded.

A vereniging met beperkte rechtsbevoegdheid has fewer rights and cannot, for example, buy a building or receive an inheritance. Do you register the association with KVK? Then the association is liable as a legal entity. But if the association cannot pay debts, for example, the directors may be liable privately. If you do not register the association with KVK, the directors are automatically liable privately. Read more about this legal structure.

How do I register a vereniging zonder onderneming ?

To register a vereniging zonder onderneming (association without commercial activities) you do not need to make an appointment to visit KVK. 

Download and complete the forms

Download these forms and fill them in. Each form says who can sign it and what additional proof you need:

• Form 5: Register a stichting, vereniging or owners' association
• Form 22: Register an official or director

Fill in the following forms only if you need to:

• Form 13: Register an authorised representative
• Form 9a: Register an additional branch

What do I send by post to KVK?

• The completed and signed forms. Each form states who may sign it and which supporting documents you need to send along. The form also states whether you need to complete any other forms.
• A copy of a valid ID of each person who signed a form. Find out how to make a secure copy of the identity document.
• Have you drawn up articles of association? Enclose them. The directors need to initial each page in pen (no copy or scan) and add their signature on the last page (no copy or scan).

Send the forms and other documents to KVK by post.

What happens after I have sent the forms?

• Check how long processing your registration takes. You will receive no updates inbetween. 
• Is your starting date in the future? We will register your vereniging one week before the starting date. 
• You will receive a confirmation of the registration and an invoice for the registration fee by post at the vereniging's address. 
• After registration, you can order a certified KVK Business Register Extract (in Dutch or English). You can use this as proof of your registration. 

How do I register a vereniging met onderneming?

You need to make an appointment at a KVK office to register a vereniging met onderneming (association with commercial activities). 

Download the forms and fill them in

Each form says who can sign it and what additional proof you need: 

• Form 5: Register a stichting, vereniging, or owners' association
• Form 8: Register a company of a legal entity 
• Form 11: Register an official for a legal entity
• Form 33: Register a UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner)

Fill in the following forms only if you need to:

• Form 9a: Register an additional branch
• Form 13: Register an authorised representative

What other documents do I need ?

• A valid proof of identity
• Have you drawn up articles of association? Enclose them. The directors need to initial each page in pen (no copy or scan) and add their signature on the last page (no copy or scan).
• Is the visiting address not one of the directors' residential addresses? Then bring one of the following documents to prove that you are allowed to use this address as the visiting address for your vereniging:
  •  A copy of the lease, purchase or rental contract signed by both parties
  • Proof of ownership such as a certificate from the Land Registry, or sales contract
  • Is the address residential? Then bring a declaration of consent. The owner or occupier must sign the declaration and supply a copy of a valid ID. Find out how to make a secure copy of the identity document.

Make an appointment with KVK

You make an appointment online by logging in with DigiD.

• You can make an appointment at any KVK office.
• Bring valid proof of identity, all the required forms, plus the supporting documents (for example, your rental agreement). After making your appointment, you receive an email that tells you what you need to bring. 
• Does the vereniging have authorised representatives? They need to accompany you at your KVK appointment. They too need to bring a valid proof of identity. 
• You will receive a confirmation of the registration and an invoice for the registration fee by post at the vereniging's address. 
• After registration, you can order a certified KVK Business Register Extract (in Dutch or English). You can use this as proof of your registration. 
• Log in using DigiD to make an appointment.