Starting a business: what you need to arrange

  • Willeke Leensma
  • 24 September 2019
  • Edited 25 November 2024
  • 3 min
  • Starting

When you start a business, there are lots of things you need to do and arrange. In this article we list the most important steps to help you prepare well. Print out this page and get off to a good start.

Must-do's 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?

Also, make sure you meet the conditions of the Netherlands Tax Administration (in Dutch) and avoid false self-employment.

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.

Check if you have to register your business with KVK

You only have to register with KVK if you meet the criteria. Check the infographic to see if you do.

Do I have to register my business with KVK?

Do these 3 rules apply to your situation?

  • You provide services and/or products.
  • You charge a price or hourly rate for these, from which you earn money.
  • You regularly provide services and/or products to others than just family and friends.

Yes, you can register with KVK. After registration, we pass on your details to the Netherlands Tax Administration. They will send you a VAT number by post.

No? You probably do not need to register with KVK. However, you may have to file a VAT return. In that case, download the form Opgaaf startende onderneming (not registered in the Business Register) at belastingdienst.nl.

Are you in doubt? If in doubt, answer these additional questions to determine whether you should register:

  • Do you spend time and/or money on your business?
  • Do you work in your business regularly?
  • Do you have multiple clients or do you plan to seek multiple clients?
  • Do you decide how you organise your work?

Have you answered yes to everything? Then you can register at KVK. Go to kvk.nl/en/registration. After registration, the KVK will pass on your details to the Netherlands Tax Administration. They will send you a VAT number by post.

Have you answered no to one or more questions? Call the KVK Advice Team to discuss whether you should register.

Useful to arrange before registering with KVK

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.

Financing

If you need financing, it is useful to arrange this before you register with KVK.

Register 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 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?

Video: Registering with KVK: how it works

Checklist for getting started

Have you done all the points on the checklist? Then you are ready to register your company with KVK. As soon as you are registered in the KVK Business Register, you are officially an entrepreneur. Even after your registration at the KVK, you will need to arrange all sorts of things. We have listed these things for you in the Checklist for getting started.

 

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