Foreign company registration

Foreign companies that do not have a permanent establishment in the Netherlands can register in the Business Register if they have business activities in the Netherlands. This also applies to foreign entrepreneurs who do not conduct the activity in the legal form of a company, but for example as a sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak). 

In this specific situation, we advise you to contact us.

Registration is also mandatory for foreign businesses without a Dutch branch that provide workers on a paid basis in or to the Netherlands. Examples of such companies are temporary employment agencies, payroll companies, and jobs pools based outside the Netherlands but active in the Netherlands. Read more about Hiring out or provision of workers in the Netherlands.

Who can register the company?

You can register the business in the Business Register if you are:

• a director of the company
• a manager of the Dutch branch and have a power of attorney demonstrating that you are the manager. The power of attorney must be in Dutch with an original signature of a director. You are also required to register as a manager

How do you register the company?

The director or manager must make an appointment with KVK to register in person with a valid identity document. An official living abroad does not have to register in person, but can send a number of documents along with the registration. When registering, use the following forms:

• Form 6: Registration non-resident legal entity/company
• Form 11: Registration official of a legal entity.
• Form 13: Registration of authorised representative

You fill in the registration forms in the Dutch language. English translations of forms 6, 11 and 13 are available as an aid.

Which other documents do you need?

In addition to the registration forms, you should also bring the following documents with you:

• an official proof of company registration from the country where it was founded (no older than 1 month)
• a certified copy of the memorandum of association
• certified copy of the articles of association if these are contained in a separate deed
• copy of the deed showing the appointed Board of Directors and Supervisory Directors, such as a certificate of incumbency

Address of the company in the Netherlands

If the visiting address in the Netherlands is different from the residential address of a director, you must prove that this address may be used for the company. For example, with a lease agreement, proof from the Land Registry, or a declaration of consent. 

In what language

You must provide these documents in Dutch, German, English, or French. The documents must be certified as authentic copies or original documents. KVK may ask for a document that confirms the authenticity of the foreign public deeds (an apostille).

Requirements for formally foreign countries

The Formal Foreign Companies Act (Wet op de formeel buitenlandse vennootschappen, in Dutch) applies to companies from outside the European Economic Area that operate entirely in the Netherlands and have no real connection with the country of incorporation. To comply with the Act, you must notify the KVK Business Register of:

• the fact that the company is a formally foreign company
• the register in which the company is registered abroad and the registration number 
• the date of the first registration abroad
• the (personal) data of the sole shareholder (if any)

In addition, a formally foreign company must file with the KVK Business Register:

• a certificate of registration in the foreign register (upon initial filing and annually thereafter before 1 April)
• in case of amendment of the articles of association: a Dutch, French, German, or English authentic copy (or a copy certified by a director) of the amendment and the full text of the amended articles of association
• 2 sets of annual accounts: 1 according to Dutch law and 1 according to the law of the country of incorporation, if filing is mandatory there

Please note: the statements relating to a formally foreign company can only be made by a director of the formally foreign company or the person in charge of the daily management. Declaration by an authorised representative is not allowed. Declarations cannot be made by a lawyer or a civil-law notary.

Must a foreign company that is a director of a Dutch legal entity also register?

No, if a foreign company is a director of a Dutch legal entity, it does not have to be registered in the Dutch Business Register with its own KVK number. Only the Dutch legal entity registers. The foreign company registers as an official with the Dutch legal entity.

Make an appointment at KVK to complete your registration

When you visit, a KVK employee will check your proof of identity and all completed and signed forms and documents. If these are approved, we will take all the documents, and you will receive your KVK number within a few working days.

• You can make an appointment at any KVK office
• Plan your appointment well in advance. At busy times, waiting times may increase
• To register a new company or organisation, you pay a one-off registration fee.
• You can order a certified KVK Business Register Extract at the appointment. You can use this as proof of registration. Some banks and wholesalers ask for an extract.

Click on ‘Login with DigiD’ to make an appointment.