KvK Business Register: Registration & Search Guide 2026

The KvK (Kamer van Koophandel) is where every Dutch business begins — and understanding the business register gives you powers most expats do not realise they have.

I say “powers” deliberately. The handelsregister is not just a bureaucratic formality. It is a public database that lets you check any company operating in the Netherlands, verify whether a supplier is legitimate, pull a director’s name before signing a contract, and confirm the legal status of a business partner you have never met. Once you have your own registration, it also unlocks business banking, legal invoicing, and official recognition as an entrepreneur in the Netherlands.

The basics are simpler than most expats expect. Registration costs €75.75. The appointment takes roughly an hour. You receive your KvK number immediately when you leave. Your BTW (VAT) number arrives by post 10–14 working days later.

This guide covers everything: what the KvK is, how to register step by step, what you receive after registration, how to search the register, how to get an official extract, how to update or close your registration, and answers to the questions I get asked most often.

What Is the KvK (Kamer van Koophandel)?

The Kamer van Koophandel — translated literally as “Chamber of Commerce” — is the Dutch government body responsible for maintaining the handelsregister, the national trade register. It has been doing this since 1921 and today registers over 2.3 million active businesses and organisations in the Netherlands.

Every Dutch legal entity that conducts commercial or non-profit activities is legally required to register with the KvK. That includes:

• Sole proprietors (eenmanszaak)
• Partnerships (VOF, CV)
• Private limited companies (BV)
• Public limited companies (NV)
• Foundations (stichting) and associations (vereniging) conducting commercial activities
• Foreign companies with a branch or representative office in the Netherlands

The handelsregister is publicly searchable. Anyone can look up a registered business and see its KvK number, address, legal structure, and activities. This transparency is intentional — it enables trust in the business environment. When a Dutch company asks for your KvK number before signing a contract, they are running a basic legitimacy check that every professional here expects.

The KvK also provides advisory services for new entrepreneurs, and its website (kvk.nl) offers practical guidance in English. Think of it as a combination of a registration authority, a business information service, and a light-touch advisory body.

Who Must Register?

In the Netherlands, registration at the KvK is mandatory for anyone conducting business activities independently. The threshold is low: there is no minimum income requirement and no minimum number of clients.

You need to register if you:

• Work as a freelancer or ZZP’er (zelfstandige zonder personeel), even for a single client
• Sell products or services, including online via platforms like Etsy, eBay, or a personal webshop
• Provide consulting, coaching, design, translation, development, or any professional service independently
• Run a side business alongside your regular employment
• Set up a business with one or more partners
• Operate a foundation or association that carries out commercial transactions

You do not need a KvK registration if you are solely an employee working for a single Dutch employer. The moment you take on any independent paid work — one client, one invoice, one side project — registration is required.

For non-EU nationals, there is an additional layer: your right to self-employment depends on the type of residence permit you hold. The KvK will register you regardless of permit type — they do not verify your immigration status — but operating without the legal right to do so can jeopardise your residence status. If you are on a highly skilled migrant visa or any work-based permit, check the self-employment clause on your permit before registering. The freelance visa guide for the Netherlands covers this in detail.

How to Register at the KvK: Step-by-Step

Step 1 — Choose Your Legal Structure

Before you book anything, decide which legal structure you are registering. This affects your tax treatment, personal liability, and administrative obligations. The main options:

For the majority of expat freelancers, the eenmanszaak is the right starting point. It is the simplest structure, requires no notary, and gives access to the self-employment tax deductions (zelfstandigenaftrek and startersaftrek). You can always convert to a BV later if your income grows.

A BV makes sense when your profit consistently exceeds roughly €100,000–€150,000 per year, or when you have significant liability exposure. The BV requires a notarial deed of incorporation (€800–€1,500), mandatory director payroll, and more complex accounting — costs that wipe out any tax benefit at lower income levels.

A VOF works well for two people starting a business together. Each partner is fully and jointly liable for all business debts, so a proper partnership agreement (vennootschapscontract) is important before you register.

For full guidance on choosing between structures, see the ZZP freelancer guide.

Step 2 — Gather Your Documents

EU/EEA citizens:

• Valid passport or national identity card
• BSN number (you must be registered at your gemeente first — see the BSN registration guide)
• Business address in the Netherlands (home address, coworking space, or registered address service)

Non-EU citizens:

• Valid passport
• Residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) — the physical card
• BSN number
• Business address in the Netherlands

For a VOF (additional):

• Identity documents for all partners
• Partnership agreement (not legally mandatory but strongly recommended)

For a BV (additional):

• Notarial deed of incorporation — this must be completed before the KvK appointment
• Identity documents for all directors and significant shareholders (UBOs)

Your business address must be a physical address in the Netherlands. Your home address is fine and costs nothing. Note that it will appear publicly in the KvK register. If you prefer not to publish your home address, a registered address service (domicilieadres) costs €10–€30 per month and is offered by many coworking spaces and business service providers.

Step 3 — Decide Your SBI Code

The KvK uses Standard Business Industries (SBI) codes to classify your business activities. You will be asked to confirm your SBI code during the appointment, but it helps to look it up in advance at kvk.nl/sbi-codes. You can register multiple activities under different SBI codes if your work spans more than one area.

Common codes for expat freelancers:

• 6201 — Software development and programming
• 6202 — Computer consultancy
• 7022 — Business and management consultancy
• 7311 — Advertising and marketing consultancy
• 7490 — Other professional, scientific, and technical activities (catch-all for consultants)
• 6311 — Data processing and hosting
• 9003 — Creative arts and entertainment

The KvK employee at your appointment will help you confirm the right code. Do not stress about this too much — SBI codes can be updated later at no cost.

Step 4 — Use the Online Pre-Registration Tool

Before your appointment, use the KvK’s online pre-registration tool at kvk.nl. Fill in your personal details, business name, activities, and address in advance. You receive a reference number to bring to your appointment.

This step is optional but I strongly recommend it. It cuts your in-office time significantly, reduces the chance of errors, and ensures the appointment runs efficiently. The online form is available in English.

Also check your proposed business name at kvk.nl/zoeken/ before registering. If the name is already in use by another business in a similar sector, the KvK may raise this. An identical name is not automatically refused, but it can cause confusion and potential trademark issues down the line.

Step 5 — Book Your Appointment

Go to kvk.nl and book your in-person appointment. KvK offices are located in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven, Groningen, Arnhem, Zwolle, Den Bosch, and several other cities. You can attend any office — you do not need to use the one nearest to your registered address.

Waiting times vary:

• Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague: 1–3 weeks
• Smaller cities (Groningen, Arnhem, Zwolle): often within a week

If you are in a hurry, booking at a smaller-city office and travelling there for the day is a legitimate strategy.

Step 6 — Attend Your Appointment

Arrive on time with all your documents. The appointment runs 30–60 minutes for a standard eenmanszaak, longer for a BV or VOF.

During the appointment, a KvK employee will:

• Verify your identity documents
• Confirm your business name, activities, and SBI code(s)
• Confirm your business address
• Review your legal structure choice
• Ask you to sign the registration form

All major KvK offices accommodate English. I have never had an expat client encounter an issue getting the appointment conducted in English.

Step 7 — Pay the Registration Fee

The one-time registration fee is €75.75 (2026). You pay by debit card (pin) or iDEAL at the office. Cash is no longer accepted at most locations. There are no annual fees and no renewal costs — your registration remains active until you deregister.

Step 8 — Receive Your KvK Number

At the end of the appointment, you receive your KvK number on a printed registration extract. This 8-digit number is your business identity in the Netherlands. It appears on every invoice you send, every contract you sign, and every official business communication.

Your registration is live in the handelsregister from the moment you leave the office.

What You Get After Registration

1. KvK Number (KvK-nummer)

Your 8-digit KvK number — sometimes called the handelsregisternummer — uniquely identifies your business in the Netherlands. Every registered business has one. It must appear on your invoices, your website, and any official business correspondence.

2. BTW Number (VAT Number)

Your BTW (belasting toegevoegde waarde) number is your VAT identification number, issued separately by the Belastingdienst (Dutch Tax Authority). It arrives by post to your registered business address within 10–14 working days of your KvK registration.

The BTW number follows the format: NL + 9 digits + B + 2 digits. For sole proprietors (eenmanszaak), it typically ends in B01. This number must also appear on your invoices.

You need your BTW number to:

• Charge and collect VAT on your invoices
• File quarterly VAT returns with the Belastingdienst
• Reclaim VAT on business purchases
• Trade with other EU-registered businesses under the reverse charge mechanism

Until your BTW number arrives, you can issue invoices but cannot charge VAT. Many business clients prefer to wait for your BTW number before your first invoice, so factor those 2 weeks into your cash flow planning.

3. RSIN Number

The RSIN (Rechtspersonen en Samenwerkingsverbanden Informatienummer) is a fiscal identification number assigned to legal entities — BVs, foundations, associations, and other non-natural persons. If you are registering a BV, you will receive an RSIN. For a sole proprietor (eenmanszaak), the RSIN is not applicable — your BSN effectively serves that function for tax purposes.

The RSIN is used mainly in tax filings and inter-governmental administration. You may not encounter it often in day-to-day business.

4. Registration Extract (Uittreksel)

At your appointment you receive a basic printed extract confirming your registration. This is not the same as an official uittreksel — that is an official document you order separately (see the section below on extracts). Keep your registration paperwork safely; you will reference it when opening a business bank account or providing your details to clients.

How to Search the KvK Business Register

The handelsregister is publicly searchable. This is one of the most practical and underused tools available to expat business owners.

Where to Search

Go to kvk.nl/zoeken/ — the company search is free and requires no account. The page is available in English via the language selector.

You can search by:

• Company name (handelsnaam)
• KvK number (if you already have it)
• Address
• Branch (vestiging) name

What Information Is Public

The KvK register is a public document. For any registered business you can see:

• Company name and trade names
• KvK number
• Legal structure (eenmanszaak, BV, VOF, etc.)
• Registered address
• Business activities (SBI codes and descriptions)
• Date of incorporation
• Number of employees (in broad bands)
• Authorised representatives and directors (names and signatory powers)
• Branch locations (for companies with multiple offices)

For BVs and other legal entities, the register also shows the percentage of shareholdings above certain thresholds, though the full Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) register has its own separate disclosure rules.

What Is Not Public

Some information is protected. Private individuals registered as sole proprietors can shield their home address from the public register by requesting a privacy protection (adresafscherming) — this is commonly used by people who work from home and do not want their home address publicly searchable.

Financial statements and annual accounts (jaarrekeningen) are not part of the basic KvK search but are filed separately with the KvK for BVs and NVs, where they become publicly accessible.

Practical Use Cases

Before hiring a freelancer or contractor: Run a quick search to confirm they are actually registered. Doing business with an unregistered party creates complications for VAT, contracts, and liability.

Before signing a supplier contract: Verify the legal name matches the entity on the contract, check the authorised signatories, and confirm the business is still active.

Competitor research: See what SBI codes a competitor uses, how long they have been registered, and whether they have multiple trade names.

Finding a company’s KvK number for invoicing: If a client asks for your KvK number on their purchase order, you can also use the register to find their KvK number for your own records.

How to Get a KvK Extract (Uittreksel)

An official KvK extract (uittreksel handelsregister) is a certified snapshot of a company’s registration data at a specific point in time. It has legal standing and is accepted by banks, notaries, courts, and government bodies as proof of a company’s existence and details.

How to Order

Online (recommended):

1. Go to kvk.nl/producten/
2. Select “Uittreksel handelsregister”
3. Search for your company and select the correct registration
4. Choose digital (PDF) or print version
5. Pay and download immediately

The digital extract costs €2.95. The PDF is emailed to you within minutes and is legally valid. A printed extract sent by post is also available but takes longer and costs slightly more.

In person: You can request an uittreksel at any KvK office. The cost is the same — €2.95 — and you receive it on the spot.

What the Uittreksel Contains

An official extract includes:

• Company name and all trade names
• KvK number
• Legal structure
• Registered address
• Date of first registration
• Business activities (SBI codes with descriptions)
• Names and positions of authorised representatives, directors
• Signatory authority (limited or full)
• For BVs: share capital, RSIN number
• Date the extract was issued

When You Need an Uittreksel

The most common situations where you will be asked to provide one:

• Opening a business bank account — Some banks accept your KvK number directly; others require an official extract. When in doubt, order one and have it ready.
• Signing commercial contracts — Particularly with larger Dutch companies or government bodies, they will verify your legal details against an extract.
• Applying for financing or credit — Lenders, including the government-backed Qredits micro-credit provider, require one.
• Public tenders (aanbestedingen) — Government and semi-government procurement processes require a recent uittreksel, typically no older than 3–6 months.
• Notarial transactions — Any property transaction, share transfer, or incorporation where a notary is involved will require one.

At €2.95, ordering an uittreksel is never a barrier. I keep one downloaded and ready whenever I am going into contract negotiations with a new client.

Changing Your KvK Registration

Your business circumstances will change over time, and the handelsregister must reflect your current situation. Keeping it accurate is not just good practice — it is a legal requirement.

What You Can Change

• Business address — If you move your business to a new address
• Business activities — If you expand into new services or drop old ones (SBI code update)
• Trade names (handelsnamen) — Add or remove trading names
• Authorised representatives — Add or remove directors or authorised signatories (relevant for VOF and BV)
• Contact details — Phone number and email
• Number of employees — As your business grows

How to Make Changes

Online: Log in at kvk.nl with your DigiD (for sole proprietors) or eHerkenning (for legal entities like BVs). Most common changes can be processed entirely online at no cost.

By phone or in person: The KvK helpline (+31 088 585 1585) can guide you through changes. In-person appointments are available for complex updates.

No fee is charged for most amendments. Changes to certain formal elements of a BV (share capital, articles of association) require a notarial act and are more involved, but those are rare for the typical small business owner.

Changes are reflected in the public register within 1–2 business days of submission.

Address Privacy

If you move to a new home and want to keep your business address private, this is a good moment to switch to a registered address service rather than updating to your new home address. You can request address privacy protection (adresafscherming) at the same time — contact the KvK to discuss your options.

Deregistering from the KvK (Uitschrijven)

Closing a Dutch business involves deregistering from the handelsregister. This is not optional — continuing to sit in the register as an active business when you have stopped trading creates ongoing tax obligations and potential confusion.

When to Deregister

• You are permanently stopping your business activities
• You are leaving the Netherlands and will not operate from here
• You are converting from an eenmanszaak to a BV (the eenmanszaak is deregistered as a separate step)
• The company has been fully dissolved (for a BV, this follows the formal liquidation process)

How to Deregister

Online: The simplest route. Log in at kvk.nl with your DigiD, handle to your company profile, and select “uitschrijven” (deregistration). For a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak), this takes a few minutes. No fee is charged.

By post: Submit a completed deregistration form (available on kvk.nl) by post to the KvK.

In person: Visit any KvK office.

You specify the date on which your business officially ceased activities — this can be backdated up to one year if you stopped trading before initiating the formal process.

Tax Implications of Deregistering

Deregistering from the KvK does not automatically close your relationship with the Belastingdienst. You must:

• File a final BTW return covering the period up to your cessation date. If you owe VAT, pay it. If you have a refund, claim it.
• Include business income in your final income tax return. For an eenmanszaak, any profit or loss in the year of cessation is reported in Box 1 of your personal tax return.
• Staking the business (staking): When you officially cease your eenmanszaak, there is a “staking” moment with specific tax rules. Any business assets you take into personal use at cessation may trigger a taxable gain. An accountant is worth consulting if you have business assets of any meaningful value.
• Retain your business records for 7 years from the date of your last tax filing, even after deregistration. The Belastingdienst can audit up to 5 years back for standard cases, 12 years for complex situations.
• Cancel your BTW registration separately with the Belastingdienst if you are permanently stopping — the KvK deregistration alone does not automatically close your VAT registration.

For expats who are leaving the Netherlands, deregistration also intersects with municipal deregistration (uitschrijving bij de gemeente) and, for non-EU nationals, residence permit obligations. The leaving Netherlands checklist covers the full exit process.

Setting Up Your Business Banking After Registration

Once you have your KvK number, the next practical step is opening a business bank account. Technically, a sole trader (eenmanszaak) is not legally required to have a separate business account — but every accountant in the country will tell you to open one anyway. Mixing personal and business finances makes your bookkeeping significantly more painful and raises questions if you are ever audited.

Most Dutch banks ask for your KvK number at minimum; some also want your BTW number, so you may need to wait the 2 weeks.

For expats, I consistently recommend Wise Business as a complement or alternative to a traditional Dutch bank account. Wise gives you:

• EUR account with Dutch IBAN (ING-backed)
• Multi-currency accounts for receiving payments in GBP, USD, and other currencies without conversion fees
• Instant account opening — no in-person visit, no queuing
• Debit card for business expenses
• Batch payment tools
• Very low transfer fees for international transfers

If you work with international clients or receive payments in non-EUR currencies, Wise Business can save you hundreds of euros per year compared to traditional bank conversion rates. You can use it alongside a Dutch bank account for iDEAL payments to Dutch clients.

For a full comparison of business banking options, the best bank account for expats guide and the dedicated Wise review cover the details.

The 30% Ruling and Your KvK Registration

If you are a highly skilled migrant who has been granted the 30% ruling by your employer, running a side business (eenmanszaak) does not automatically affect your 30% ruling — but it has implications worth understanding.

The 30% ruling applies to your employment income from your Dutch employer. Income earned through your eenmanszaak is taxed separately in Box 1 and does not benefit from the 30% exemption.

There are also hours-worked considerations: to claim the self-employment deductions (zelfstandigenaftrek), you must work at least 1,225 hours per year in your business. If your side business occupies relatively few hours, verify whether you meet this threshold before claiming the deduction.

For the full picture of how the 30% ruling interacts with other income, see the 30% ruling guide. For the tax implications of self-employment income, the Dutch tax return guide for expats is important reading.

Practical Tips From Experience

After helping dozens of expats through the KvK registration process, these are the things I wish more people knew before their appointment:

Pre-register online. The KvK’s online pre-registration tool is one of the genuinely useful digital tools in the Dutch bureaucratic ecosystem. Use it. It cuts appointment time significantly and reduces the chance of errors.

Your home address becomes public. Many expats find this only after registering. If this bothers you, request adresafscherming (address privacy) at the same time as registering, or use a registered address service from the start.

You can backdate your start date. If you started taking on clients before registering — a common situation — you can backdate your business start date up to 3 months. This affects your initial BTW return and when your obligations technically began.

The KvK is not the Belastingdienst. Registering at the KvK does not mean you are automatically set up with the Dutch tax authority. Your BTW number setup, income tax obligations, and provisional tax assessments all happen through the Belastingdienst (mijn.belastingdienst.nl) separately. Make sure you are registered on both systems.

Start keeping an hours log from day one. To claim the zelfstandigenaftrek tax deduction, you must work at least 1,225 hours per year in your business. The Belastingdienst can request evidence. A simple spreadsheet or time-tracking app started on day one of registration takes two minutes per day and protects a significant tax deduction.

Budget 30–35% of net income for tax. Your first income tax assessment can be a surprise if you have not been setting money aside. From your first invoice, transfer 30–35% of net revenue into a separate savings account. This covers income tax and potentially BTW if it is not already separately managed.

FAQ

How much does KvK registration cost? The one-time fee is €75.75 in 2026. No annual renewal fees apply.

How long does KvK registration take? The appointment is 30–60 minutes. You get your KvK number the same day. BTW number takes 10–14 working days by post.

Do I need an appointment? Yes, registration requires an in-person appointment at a KvK office. Book at kvk.nl — the site is in English.

What is the difference between my KvK number and BTW number? KvK number = business registry identifier (8 digits). BTW number = VAT identification number for tax purposes (starts with NL, ends in B01 for sole traders). You need both on invoices.

Can I search the KvK register for free? Yes. kvk.nl/zoeken/ is free for basic searches. An official extract (uittreksel) with legal status costs €2.95.

Do I need a KvK uittreksel to open a business bank account? Some banks accept just your KvK number; others want an official extract. At €2.95, order one and have it ready to avoid delays.

Can I change my SBI code after registration? Yes, at any time through the KvK online portal. No fee. Updates appear in the register within 1–2 business days.

Conclusion

The KvK registration is not a hurdle — it is a starting point. Once you understand what the business register is and how it works, you can use it in both directions: to register your own business efficiently and to check the credentials of anyone you do business with.

The essentials: book your appointment at kvk.nl, bring your ID and BSN, pay €75.75, and walk out with an 8-digit number that makes you a legitimate Dutch business owner. Your BTW number follows by post within two weeks. After that, open a business bank account, set up your accounting, and start trading.

The KvK is the beginning of the Dutch business journey, not the complicated part. What comes next — taxes, VAT, clients, insurance, deductions — takes more thought. But you have built-in tools to help: use the KvK search for due diligence, the 30% ruling guide for tax optimisation, the Dutch tax return guide for filing season, and the interactive tools on this site for calculators and checklists that make Dutch bureaucracy less intimidating.

If you are still working out your freelance setup more broadly, the ZZP freelancer guide and the KvK registration expat guide cover the full picture.

Last updated: July 2026.