LEI

An LEI (Legal Entity Identifier) is a code required for organisations that want to trade on the financial markets.

You can apply for an LEI if you are registered in the Business Register as the authorised signatory of your organisation. When you apply, you must sign digitally. For this, you need DigiD.

 

What is an LEI?

An LEI is a unique number that enables financial supervisors (such as the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets, AFM) to track global transactions and take action where necessary. The goal is to improve the transparency of the financial markets, gain better control of the risks and protect investors.

Entrepreneurs or legal entities who own shares or derivatives must possess an LEI. If you do not have an LEI, you may no longer be able to purchase or sell on the stock exchange. Contact your bank or asset manager in order to determine whether you need an LEI.

FAQ about LEI

A LEI is valid for 1 year after it has been issued or renewed. If you do not renew your LEI, it will become invalid. An invalid LEI may mean that your organisation can no longer conduct certain financial transactions, or be included in legal reports. For more information, contact your bank or capital manager.

We will notify you via email 8 weeks prior to your LEI renewal date. In some cases, we will ask you to provide additional information about the company group structure by filling out a renewal form. You will receive a link to the form in the email.

We will send you an invoice 4 weeks prior to the renewal date. On the renewal date itself we will send you a confirmation that your LEI has been renewed. If you have not paid the invoice by then, make sure you do. 

Do you not wish to renew your LEI, or do you want to cancel the renewal? Then use the link provided in the email we send you to render the LEI inactive. Or do it right now (in Dutch).

The Regulatory Oversight Committee (ROC), the organisation that oversees the global LEI system is introducing a tool to ensure that financial markets become more transparent and minimise the risk of fraud. This tool is called the Conformity Flag. An LEI is given 'compliant' status if it meets these conditions:

  1. The LEI registration is current.
  2. If the organisation has a parent company: in the LEI application, the organisation has filled in all details about the direct and ultimate parent company, or given a good reason for not filling in these details.

Apply for DigiD via www.digid.nl. You need your citizen server number (BSN) to apply.

Do you live outside the Netherlands and do not have a DigiD? Check which situation applies to you.

  • I have Dutch nationality. You can apply for a DigiD. The DigiD website tells you how to do this.
  • I do not have the Dutch nationality, but the nationality of a country within the European Economic Area (EEA). First register with the Non-Residents Records Database (RNI). After registration with the RNI, you will immediately receive a citizen service number (BSN) and can apply for a DigiD. The DigiD website tells you how to do this.
  • I have a nationality outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Then you cannot use DigiD. Do you need a DigiD to make an appointment to register your sole proprietorship or general partnership (vof)? If so, please call 088-585 15 85.

Have you chosen to end the active status of your LEI yourself? You can re-apply for a new LEI. Did your LEI expire because you did not supply the Level 2 Data? You can reactivate your LEI by filling in the (Dutch) renewal form.

Yes, in the form we ask you to add documents as proof of the direct or ultimate relationship with your parent company. Examples are: a consolidated financial statement, a declaration of consent, a contract, or another official document that features both your and the parent company's name.

Your organisation's LEI becomes inactive if:

  • the legal structure of your organisation and the KVK number change. LEIs are connected to legal structures. Do you want to order a LEI for your new legal structure? Apply for a new LEI.  
  • your organisation is deregistered from the Business Register; 
  • you or another authorised official of your organisation fills out the form to render your LEI inactive (in Dutch). The LEI will remain active until its expiration date. 

Terms and Conditions

Read the terms and conditions for the LEI.

KVK officially certified

The LEI Register of KVK has been officially certified by the Global Legal Entity Identifier Foundation (GLEIF). Check the official Accreditation Certificate. More information about the GLEIF can be found on their website