Registering an eenmanszaak (a sole proprietorship) is the usual first step when you start working for yourself in the Netherlands. The process is short, but a few details cause delays: the appointment, the address you give and the identity documents. This guide follows the steps the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) publishes itself.
We are a web studio, not a tax adviser or a lawyer, and this is general information. Everything below comes from KVK's own pages and from the Dutch government's business portal, and each source is linked at the end. Rules and fees change, so check the linked pages before you act.
Facts checked on 4 November 2026.
Quick answer
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| 1. Prepare online | Log in with DigiD on kvk.nl and fill in the registration form (about 15 minutes) |
| 2. Book an appointment | Choose a KVK office, up to 8 weeks ahead |
| 3. Attend the appointment | KVK checks your details and your identity. You usually get your KVK number there |
| 4. Pay the one-time fee | You pay once. There is no cash payment, the invoice arrives by email or post |
| 5. VAT number | KVK passes your details to the Tax Administration, which sends your VAT numbers by post. KVK says within 2 weeks if you are VAT-liable |
Before you start
- DigiD or a European eID. KVK says one of these is required to confirm your identity online. If you are not registered in the Netherlands and have no DigiD, KVK's page says non-Dutch nationals can register with the Non-Residents Records Database (RNI) to receive a citizen service number (BSN) and then apply for DigiD.
- A valid identity document for the appointment. Without it you cannot register.
- Whether you are allowed to work for yourself. That depends on your residence status. KVK's pages do not cover it, so check your residence permit and the IND website first.
- Under 18? KVK says minors need permission from a parent or guardian.
Step 1: Fill in the online form
On kvk.nl you choose the eenmanszaak form and complete the registration. KVK says it takes about 15 minutes and your entries are saved automatically. You will be asked for:
- Business address. A visiting address (where the business is located) and a postal address. You can shield the visiting address, but then you need a separate postal address.
- Contact details. Business email, website and phone. The email and website are public. The phone number is shielded.
- Business name. Checked against the Trade Names Act rules. KVK has a Name Check tool.
- Business activities. Described in Dutch, and linked to one or more SBI codes (the standard industrial classification).
- Import and export. Whether you import or export goods.
- People involved. At least one person, usually yourself, plus any staff.
- Start date. The day you start trading or make your first commitments.
- Franchise and power of attorney. Whether you start as a franchisee and whether anyone holds a power of attorney.
Step 2: Book the appointment
You book a time at a KVK office up to 8 weeks ahead. KVK says to book about a week before or after your start date, and that you can visit up to 3 months before you start. In that case KVK finalises the registration one week before the start and sends the confirmation, KVK number and invoice by post.
Bring:
- A valid identity document
- If your business address differs from your home address: a signed lease, purchase or service contract, proof of ownership, or a declaration of consent for a residential address
- Franchisees: the signed franchise agreement
Your home address must match the address registered with your municipality.
Step 3: Pay the fee and receive your numbers
You pay a one-time registration fee. The Dutch government's business portal lists it as €85.15, on a page that states it was checked on 18 November 2025. KVK publishes its own 2026 tariff sheet (effective 1 January 2026) as a PDF, and says all prices may change, so confirm the current amount on kvk.nl before your appointment. KVK does not accept cash.
You usually receive your KVK number at the appointment. If the registration cannot be completed there, it follows later. You can order a KVK Business Register Extract right away as proof of registration.
Step 4: VAT number
KVK passes your details to the Tax Administration (Belastingdienst). If you are VAT-liable, it sends your VAT identification number by post, which KVK says takes up to 2 weeks. What you owe in VAT and tax is a separate topic: ask the Belastingdienst or an accountant.
Common mistakes
- Booking too late. Appointments fill up. Book as soon as the form is complete.
- Address mismatch. The home address must match your municipal registration.
- Business name already taken or too similar. Run the Name Check before you commit to a name.
- Describing activities too vaguely. The SBI codes follow from what you write.
- Forgetting proof of address for a business address that is not your home.
After you register
Once you have a KVK number, the next practical steps are a business bank account, an invoicing routine and a website customers can find. If you plan to sell online, read our checklist for starting a webshop in the Netherlands. For a simple business site, see what a website costs and how to choose a web designer, or look at our fixed prices.
Frequently asked questions
Can I have more than one eenmanszaak?
No. One person can have only one eenmanszaak, but it can have several trade names and activities.
Do I need to pay every year?
The registration fee is a one-time fee. Check KVK for any other charges that apply to you.
Can I register without being in the Netherlands?
You need DigiD or a European eID to confirm your identity. For non-residents, KVK points to the RNI route to get a BSN and then DigiD. Your right to work is a separate matter, see above.
Sources (all read on 4 November 2026)
- KVK: Help with registration
- KVK: How to complete the online registration form for an eenmanszaak
- KVK: Who is allowed to register your business?
- KVK: Product tariffs 2026
- Ondernemersplein (Dutch government): Inschrijven bij KVK
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