Overview Standard Business Categories (SBI codes)

  • Edited 14 February 2023
  • 3 min

Every business that registers with the Business Register is given 1 or more SBI codes. An SBI code is a 4 or 5 digit number that indicates the business activities of a company. You receive an SBI code for every separate activity of your business. Use the tools on this page to determine your SBI code or codes. Do you wish to change your current SBI code? Read how that works.

What are SBI codes for?

The SBI code(s) in the Business Register are used by several companies and governmental organisations for a multitude of purposes. For example, to grant permits or subsidies, for insurance premiums, and for statistics.

Changing your SBI code

Your SBI code is linked to your business activities as registered in the Business Register (Handelsregister in Dutch). Do your business activities change? You can report this online (only available in Dutch) or by filling in and sending a form.

The online procedure:

  • Go to vestigingsgegevens wijzigen (changing branch details)
  • Enter your company name or KVK number
  • Choose 'activiteiten' and follow the steps
  • Send the changes. 

The procedure for filling in the form:

We may request additional documentation before we change your SBI code.

What is my SBI code?

The easiest way to determine your SBI code is to use the tool developed by Statistics Netherlands (CBS). This tool is only available in Dutch.

Find my SBI code

Overview of all SBI codes

Another way of finding your SBI code is by checking the overview of all SBI codes:

The above files contain updates up to and including 2022.

Entering the SBI code in your financial statement

You may enter your SBI code in the financial statement you file with KVK. This is not required. Do you want to do so anyway? Then use an SBI code from this CBS list (in Dutch).

Potential consequences of changing your business activities

Changing your business activities may have consequences. For example, for permits and licences from the municipality, financing, insurances, your pension fund, or your company bank account. Before you change your business activities, check the website of the (financial) institutions whose services you use to find out which steps to take. 

How to describe your business activities

  • Describe your activities in a businesslike manner

    Do not put: I want to sell tasty cheese in my market stall.  

    Do put: Market trade in cheese products.

  • Describe only the activities you will be carrying out now

    Only describe what you will be doing now. You can always report future activities when the moment is there. 

  • Be as concrete as possible

    Do not put: Coaching. Indicate the type of coaching, and the sector you will be coaching in.
    Do put: Sports coaching and dietary advice to the elderly. Or: geriatric health coach. 
    Do not put: Trade. Indicate the ype of products and the sector, and whether you will trade wholesale or in retail. 
    Do put: Retail and online store for exclusive childrens' clothing.

  • Your description in not an ad

    Do not put: With my company, I want to contribute to the social debate about making the economy more sustainable, by giving corporate social responsibility advice to companies, governmental organisations, and ngos, to improve the living environment. 
    Do put: Organisational advice on sustainable entrepreneurship. 

  • Do not use jargon and describe your activities in Dutch

    Use commonly known words in your description, and avoid jargon that people outside your area of business are unfamiliar with. Describe your acitivites in Dutch.  
    Do not put: Data driven tech solutions for the shipping industrie.
    Do put: Datagedreven technologische oplossingen voor de scheepvaartindustrie.

  • No need to mention materials used in your final product

    If you manufacture a product, you use materials. You charge your customers for these materials. But you do not have to list the sale of these materials separately in your business activities.  For example: you are a carpenter who builds cupboards. You do not have to list the wood you sell. That follows from executing your profession.  

  • Avoid the term zzp'er/freelancer

    Do not use the term zzp'er or freelancer in your description. Rather, describe which products or services you offer as a  zzp'er or freelancer. For example: will you be visiting clients as a hairdresser? You can describe your activity as: ambulant hairdresser (thuiskapper in Dutch), or home hair care.Â