How to become an independent tattoo artist

When starting your own business, you need to arrange all kinds of things. And many rules apply. Can you tattoo young people and what ink should you use? And what does a GGD licence cost? This article takes you through all the steps you need to consider if you want to become a tattoo artist.

• Competition
• Laws and regulations
• Training
• Sector organisation
• General starter information

Competition

An important part of your business plan is the competitor analysis: you examine businesses that do the same things as you do. See how these companies score on accessibility, quality, service, and advertising. Determine what you can do so that customers choose you. With the KVK Company Counter you can see how much competition there is in your region.

The number of tattoo shops has been growing for years in the Netherlands. On 1 January 2025, there were 3,219 registered with KVK.

Number of tattoo shops in the Netherlands (2021-2025)

Laws and regulations

Licence GGD

For a tattoo shop, you need to apply for a license from your Municipal Health Service (GGD). During an inspection, a GGD officer checks whether you comply with all the rules.

It is especially important that you can show that you work cleanly. There are rules for furnishing your space, hygiene of persons present, and sterilising materials.

The costs for an inspection and licence vary per GGD, between €250 and €400. Ask the GGD in your area (in Dutch) what you have to pay. The licence is valid for 3 years.

Do you want to tattoo, pierce or apply permanent make-up at a fair or event? Then the event organiser must apply for an exemption from the permit requirement (in Dutch).

Hygiene guidelines

The National Centre for Hygiene and Safety (LCHV, in Dutch) sets the hygiene rules for tattooing. The LCHV is part of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, RIVM. Watch these videos. They show how to tattoo hygienically.

Hygiene rules are in the Commodities Act (Warenwet). The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority, NVWA (in Dutch) checks whether you comply with the rules. An NVWA inspector will visit you for this purpose.

Requirements for tattoo ink

There are European rules for the use of tattoo ink. Tattoo ink must be sterile and some dyes are banned as they can be harmful. You can read abouttattoo ink on NVWA.nl (in Dutch).

Age limit for young people

Young people aged sixteen and over can decide whether they want to get a tattoo. Young people between the ages of 12 and 16 should always bring a parent with them when they get a tattoo. Tattooing on the head, neck, wrists, and hands is not allowed ith this age-group.

It is forbidden to tattoo children under 12 years old.

Buma/Stemra

If you play music in your tattoo shop, you have to pay music rights. Ask Buma/Stemra what the costs are.

Training

Training in tattooing is not compulsory, nor is a diploma. But as a tattoo artist, you make permanent changes to someone's body. And people can get infections if you do not work hygienically. So, go well prepared and take a course or learn the trade from an experienced tattoo artist.

Sector organisation

The Dutch sector organisation Tattoo Art (NBTK, in Dutch) is  for entrepreneurs in the tattoo, piercing and permanent make-up industry. The NBTK cooperates with the government. They provide information on working methods, rules in tattooing and consent forms. 

General start-up information

Besides the above important topics for starting a tattoo shop, you will also have to deal with:

• choosing a business name
• renting premises
• registering with the KVK
• set up administration
• using the small businesses scheme (KOR)
• doing business alongside a salaried job
• sort out taxes
• arrange insurance