Overview Standard Business Categories (SBI codes)

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.

Major changes to SBI codes

To properly describe the economy and provide businesses with an appropriate code, the SBI codes are updated about once every 15 years. The next major change will be in 2025. The current schedule is for KVK to implement the adjustments in the Business Register in the first half of September 2025. The SBI code for your registration will be updated automatically, you don't have to do anything. However, your business activities must be registered correctly in the Business Register. So it makes sense to check this. 

Statistics Netherlands (CBS) uses the SBI codes to classify businesses according to their main activity and to describe the economy in statistics. Read more about the upcoming changes on the CBS website.

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:

• Open the form Changes in business / branch;
• Fill out the required fields (at least sections 1, 2, and 4);
• Print and sign the form;
• Send the form to the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce KVK office of your choice.

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.

Overview of all SBI codes

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

• Standaard Bedrijfsindeling 2008 (Dutch, pdf)
• Standaard Bedrijfsindeling 2008 (Dutch, Excel)
• Standaard Bedrijfsindeling 2008 (Dutch, CSV)
• Standard Business Classification 2008 (English, pdf)

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.