Register your maatschap

Find out how to register, take over, or transfer a maatschap (professional partnership). Or change another legal structure into a maatschap.

What is a maatschap?

Do you want to carry out your profession with others as an independent entrepreneur? For example, as a dentist, architect, physiotherapist, farmer, or lawyer? Then you can choose to set up a maatschap, a professional partnership. 

Please note: Are you, or one of the partners with whom you are starting the maatschap receiving benefits? If so, discuss your plans with the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) first. Or with the municipality if you are on welfare benefits.

Who are the partners in the maatschap?

The partners of the maatschap can be persons or organisations. For example, a BV, another maatschap, or a VOF. Do you want to register a maatschap with only people? Or a mix of people and organisations? You can do that at the bottom of this page. To start a maatschap with only organisations, you need to fill in the forms.

How do I register a maatschap

1. Log in with DigiD

You start the registration by logging in with DigiD. You then also become the contact person for KVK if there are any questions about registration. Read here what you can do if you do not have DigiD.

2. Fill in the registration form

Fill in all the sections.

  • Make sure you have information such as start date, company name, and business activities at hand.
  • When you register a person as a partner, you will need their citizen service number (BSN).
  • When you register an organisation as partner, you will need the business name or KVK number.

3. Check your details

After completing the (online) registration form, please check all the details. During your appointment at KVK you will again go through the form together with a KVK employee. Any information that has been filled in incorrectly can then be adjusted.

4. Make an appointment online

Have you completed the registration form? Then you can immediately make an appointment at a KVK office of your choice. You can only make, change, or cancel the appointment online.

5. Change or cancel your prepared registration

Log in again with DigiD. Choose lopende inschrijving ('current registration') and then inschrijving bewerken ('edit registration') to edit your registration. Or click the bin icon to delete everything. If you have made an appointment, that will be deleted, too. 

Do I need to register UBOs?

Yes, you must register UBOs (Ultimate Beneficial Owners) when you start a new maatschap. UBOs are the ultimate owners of an organisation. Or the people who are ultimately authorised to make decisions. An organisation can have several UBOs. Decide together with your partners who these are. During your appointment, the KVK employee will register the details of the UBOs in the UBO register. Without this information, we cannot register your business. First determine who the UBOs of your organisation are. Then complete form 32 and bring it with you to your appointment.

How do I make an appointment with KVK?

You can make an appointment online after you have completely filled in the registration form.

  • You can make an appointment at any KVK office. You can make, change, and cancel your appointment online by logging in with DigiD.
  • Take a valid proof of identity. After making your appointment, you will receive an email with an overview of what to bring.
  • All other persons who are being registered must also attend the appointment. They must bring a valid proof of identity.
  • To register a new company or organisation, you pay a one-off registration fee.

  • You can order a certified KVK Business Register Extract at the appointment. You can use this as proof of registration. Some banks and wholesalers ask for an extract.

Log in with DigiD to make an appointment

Log in with DigiD

FAQs about DigiD

DigiD is required to confirm your identity. In this way, we ensure that only authorised persons have access to data from an organisation.

At Help & Contact you will find all frequently asked questions about DigiD.

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

Do you live outside the Netherlands and do not have a DigiD? Check which situation applies to you.

  • You have Dutch nationality. You can apply for a DigiD. The DigiD website tells you how to do this.
  • You do not have Dutch nationality. Follow these steps to apply for a DigiD:
    • First register with the Non-Residents Records Database (RNI).
    • After registration with the RNI, you will immediately receive a citizen service number (BSN).
    • With this BSN you can apply for a DigiD. The DigiD website tells you how to do this.

FAQs about making an appointment

When you make an appointment, KVK sends you a confirmation email. In this email, there is a link you can use to view your appointment details. You can also use this link to change or cancel your appointment. If you cannot find the email, be sure to check your spam folder.

You must make an appointment to visit a KVK office. You choose which KVK office yourself. This can also be an office outside your region or place of residence. Making an appointment is easy: login using DigiD. You can schedule an appointment up to 8 weeks in advance.

Did you not receive the confirmation email? Then it is probably in your spam or deleted mail folder. If not, please call our Service Centre: 088 585 15 85. Available from Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 17:00 hours.

Have you made an appointment to register an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship), VOF (general partnership) or maatschap (professional partnership)?

Then log in again with your DigiD on this page. Your appointment at KVK will be listed under 'registration details'. Here you can see when, at what time, and at which office the appointment was made. Here you can still cancel or change your appointment.

FAQs about registering a maatschap

Only one of the partners can do the registration. You can help someone else do the registration, but a partner must log in themselves using their own DigiD.

We recommend recording mutual agreements in a partnership contract. This also sets out the authorities. Take the partnership contract with you to your appointment at the KVK or, if you do not have to make an appointment, send it by post.  

Register your business 1 week before or after the start of business activities. Prepare your registration online. Then make an appointment for the identification check and the completion of your registration. You will then immediately receive your KVK number. Registering is possible at any KVK office in the Netherlands.

You can also visit us earlier for the check of your pre-completed details and proof of identity. This is possible up to a maximum of 3 months before your start date. In this case, you will receive your KVK number by post in the week prior to your start date. You can schedule an appointment up to 8 weeks in advance.

You will receive a KVK number number when you register in the Business Register. If you register your company 1 week before or after starting business activities, you will receive your KVK number immediately.

Visit earlier

You may also visit us earlier to check your pre-completed details and proof of identity. This is possible up to a maximum of 3 months before your start date. Then prepare your registration online and make an appointment at one of our offices. You can schedule an appointment up to 8 weeks in advance.

We will register your company from 1 week before your specified start date. After registration, you will receive a written confirmation, your KVK number and an invoice for the registration fee by post.

Taking over a business

Are you taking over a business? Then we will send you the new KVK number on the takeover date.

Registration in the preparation phase is possible in some cases. Preparations include ordering goods, applying for permits, or renting business premises. To complete the registration, make an appointment online by logging in with DigiD. Registration is possible at any KVK office in the Netherlands.

You can only register your business if you have a Dutch visiting address. Do you live in an area bordering the Netherlands? And can you show genuine, physical business activities in the Netherlands? Only then you can register with a visiting address that is abroad. Follow these steps to register:

  • Choose a legal form and fill in the (digital) registration form
    To register as a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak), you need a DigiD. You apply for this using your Citizen Service Number (BSN). If you do not have a BSN, follow these steps:
  • Make an appointment at a KVK office to complete your registration.
  • Bring the following with you:
    • A valid proof of identity and an original extract (or a legalised copy) from the personal records database where you live, or another original proof (or a legalised copy), such as from an official organisation or a bank, showing your private address.
      Note: this proof may not be older than 1 month. Submit this proof in a language we can read. If we cannot read it, KVK can ask you to have the documents translated into Dutch, English, German, or French. This does not need to be by a sworn translator.
    • A copy of the rental, purchase or lease contract of the (Dutch) visiting address. This must be signed by 2 parties.

You pay a one-off registration fee to register a new company or organisation.

All the FAQs about UBOs can be found under Help & Contact. 

You do not need to register separately with the Netherlands Tax Administration. After registration, we will pass this information on. You will receive a notification from the Tax Administration by post within 2 weeks of the start date of your business.

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.