Starting a business: what to arrange?

Things to organise before registering with KVK

Are you becoming an entrepreneur? Then you must register your business with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK. But before you make an appointment, there are a few things to think about and arrange.

• Do you have to register?
  Are you sure that KVK sees you as an entrepreneur? Check When do you have a business?
• Benefits
  Do you receive disability benefit, social benefits or unemployment benefit? First ask your benefits agency whether you are allowed to register your own business. If you register without permission, your benefit may be reduced.
• Permits
  Check whether you need any permits or diplomas to start your business. And whether you qualify for these. In the hospitality, security, and taxi industries, for example, you need permits to start a business.
• Business location 
  Start in a location that suits your business. Most starters first work from home. Check with your municipality whether this is allowed. Do you want to start from rented accommodation? Ask your landlord for permission.
• Make an appointment 
  Make an appointment online at one of the KVK offices to register your company.
• Rental contract
  Do you rent business premises? Then take your lease  with you to your KVK appointment.

Useful to arrange before registering

These steps are not mandatory, but are useful to follow before you register

• Business plan
  Make a business plan or business model canvas. This will help you prepare well for starting your business. And if you need financing, the bank or investor will want to see your business plan.
• Funding
  If you need financing, it is useful to arrange this before you register with KVK.
• Registering a domain name
  Do you want to create a website? Register your domain name before you register with KVK. Also create social media accounts with your company name. As soon as you register at KVK, your company name is public. Someone else can then register a domain name and social media accounts under your company name.

Registering your business with KVK

Before making an appointment, fill in the online registration form. You need to supply the follllowing information:

• Business description 
  What kind of activities do you do as an entrepreneur? Based on your company activities, you will be given an SBI code. A KVK employee will determine, in consultation with you, which code best suits your company. Government bodies, trade associations, banks, and insurers, among others, use the SBI code.
• Legal structure 
  Choose a legal structure for your company. The type of legal structure you choose affects, for example, the extent of your personal liability. Most entrepreneurs become self-employed and start a sole proprietorship.
• Business name
  What will you call your company? And does your company name comply with the rules in the Trade Name Act?

The appointment at KVK

When you come to register at KVK, you need to bring a few items:

• Bring a printout of the registration form you filled out online.
• Do you rent a business space? Then bring a copy of your rent or lease contract.
• Bring valid ID.
• Make sure you bring your bank card, for paying the one-off registration fee.

After you register

When you register, you receive your KVK number. If you have registered as an eenmanszaak or vof, we will forward your details to the Netherlands  Tax Administration (Belastingdienst).  

• VAT identification number and VAT number
  The Belastingdienst will send you 2 VAT numbers in the mail. Your VAT identification number, VAT ID in short, is for communicating with your customers and suppliers. You also receive a VAT tax number for communicating with the Belastingdienst. You should receive these numbers from the Belastingdienst within 2 weeks of registering with KVK. 
• Filing VAT returns
  From the moment you are registered you have to file VAT returns. You inform the Belastingdienst how much VAT you have charged your customers, and how much VAT you have paid for business purchases. Most entrepreneurs have to file every quarter (January, April, July, and October). Please note that you also have to file a VAT return if you have nothing to declare. You will receive a fine if you file too late or not at all.
• Filing income tax returns
  You file an income tax return every year. 
• Administration
  Entrepreneurs have to keep records for 7 years. You have to make sure your administration is in order. 
• eHerkenning
  Do you want to apply for subsidies or permits? Or is your business not an eenmanszaak? Then you will need eHerkenning. You can buy eHerkenning as soon as you have your KVK number.
• GDPR
  Every business has to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation or GDPR (Algemene Gegevens Verordening, AVG). To make sure your business is GDPR-proof, and avoid a fine, take the 10-step GDPR test. Watch the video too.

Useful to arrange after you register

• Set your hourly rate
  Use the KVK tool to calculate the hourly rate that suits you and your business.
• Insurance
  Chart your business risks and take out insurances to cover them. Your private insurance policies do not cover damage you cause with your business. For this, you need business insurance. In some sectors, certain insurances are mandatory. Check this in advance.
• Small businesses scheme 
  Is your annual turnover less than €20,000? Then see if the small businesses scheme (KOR) is right for your business. This is a VAT tax exemption. If you use the KOR, you do not have to file a VAT return.
• Pension
  Investigate how you can build up a pension as an entrepreneur so that you will have enough income after you retire.
• General terms and conditions
  Draw up general terms and conditions so that it is immediately clear what rights and obligations you and your customers have.
• Quotation and invoice
  What should appear on your quotation and invoice? It is useful to make fixed templates for this that you can adjust at any time.
• Business bank account
  If necessary, open a business account. This is usually not mandatory, but it helps you keep track of your business and private income and expenses.
• Security
  When you start your own business, your details are findable for everyone. Limit unwanted commercial approaches and the risk of fraud and crime.

Webinars for starters

• Starting a business in the Netherlands is a webinar from KVK and the Tax Administration. It guides you through the most important steps in 60 minutes.
• The Belastingdienst gives a free webinar on taxes every month. The webinar is for anyone starting a sole proprietorship or vof. 

Are you looking for personal advice? Contact the KVK Advice Team.

Starters checklist

What do you need to arrange when starting your business? You will find the most important things in the Checklist for getting started.