KVK number: all you need to know

When you register your business in the Dutch Business Register (Handelsregister), you are given an 8-digit KVK number. Your KVK number is proof of your registration at the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. It also proves that you officially have a business.

Finding the KVK number

You can find your KVK number in the following places:

• Letter of welcome
• KVK extract
• My sole proprietorship
• Business Register online

You can also click on the button below, then fill in your company name in the search bar to find your KVK number. Please note, it leads to a Dutch results page. You can also use this to find or check another company’s KVK number.

Search for a business

View the details of your sole proprietorship online

Visit My Sole Proprietorship and log in with your DigiD. Select your sole proprietorship to view your details free of charge. The details online match the details on the KVK extract. This service is currently available to sole proprietorships.

When do you receive a KVK number?

You receive your KVK number when you register your company in the Dutch Business Register (Handelsregister). If your business is set to start operating within 8 days of the registration date, you receive the KVK number straightaway. 

If you register for a later starting date, you will receive your KVK number by letter, a week prior to that date. You can pre-register up to 3 months in advance. 

If you transfer your company, or take over a company, the KVK number will change. A new owner means a new number. You also receive a new KVK number if you change your company’s legal structure.

What do you use a KVK number for?

By law, all Dutch companies have to register in the KVK Business Register. If you meet the KVK entrepreneurial criteria, you will receive a KVK number after registration. This number is your unique entrepreneur ID, so other entrepreneurs can check who they are dealing with. You can also check the details of your clients and business partners. Think of address details, KVK number and who the owner/director is. This way, you can do business safely.

Where do you state your KVK number?

The KVK number enables businesses and private individuals to find out with whom they are doing business. They can look up your KVK number in the Business Register. For that reason, you are obliged to state your KVK number on:

• letters
• invoices
• quotations
• websites
• business emails

You do not have to state your KVK number if you are one of the following:

• an association or a foundation without commercial activities
• an owners’ association (VvE in Dutch)
• a public body or other governmental organisation
• a religious community
• advertising

When do you use your KVK number?

You need your KVK number for every business purchase, subscription or insurance. You need it to prove that you are making these commitments as a business, and not as an individual. Examples are:

• purchases from a wholesaler
• company cars
• business insurance
• subscriptions and phone contracts
• business bank accounts
• company credits

More than one activity

You are registered as a sole proprietor, but you also want to pursue other activities. You can add activities to your registration. You can also register more than one trade name. When you add activities to your registration, you do not receive a second KVK number. KVK does assign an SBI code to your business activity. You can also specify an SBI code yourself. KVK will check if this code fits your activities.

What is the difference between a VAT (btw) number and a KVK number?

When you register your company with KVK, you receive your KVK number. This is the number on your Business Register extract. KVK forwards your details to the Tax and Customs Administration (Belastingdienst). They will send you your VAT identification number (btw-id) and VAT number (btw-nummer) by post within 3 weeks. The btw-id consists of 14 digits. The KVK number has 8 digits. You are obliged to put both numbers on your invoices.

Finding a btw-id

You can find your own btw-id on the correspondence you receive from the Dutch Tax Administration. You can find the btw-id of companies you do business with on the invoices and quotations they send you. You cannot find the btw-id of other companies online. There is no online register of btw-ids. If you want to know a company’s btw-id, you must ask them for it.

Deregister at KVK

If you want to end your company, you must deregister at KVK. Use the checklist for ending your company, so that you do not forget any important steps.

International equivalents

Are you looking for the business register number of a business in another country? Almost all countries have a register that is maintained by a chamber of commerce, ministry or other government organisation.

Contact

Do you have any other questions about the KVK number, or about registration at KVK? Do not hesitate to contact us, we are here to help. You can reach us on (+31) 088 585 1585, on working days from 08:30 through 17:30 hours. You can also fill out this online form (this link takes you to Business.gov.nl, but the form will be sent to KVK).