Entrepreneurship in the Netherlands

If you want to work full-time as an entrepreneur, you are required to register in the commercial register of the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). You will need:

• A proof of residence from the

  

  Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)

• A citizen service number (BSN)

• A

  

  DigiD

Please note: If you already have a business in your home country and want to continue with it, you can still register with the Chamber of Commerce. You will need the original documents for the company.

If you have a DigiD, you can prepare your registration with the KVK online and arrange an appointment to visit the KVK.

Please include the address at which you wish to conduct business. If you do not have an office address, you usually use your own address. It is good to know that the address you provide to the KVK is (publicly) associated with your business online.

Go to the appointment you made at the KVK. A KVK employee will finalise your registration in the Commercial Register. From that moment you are registered as an entrepreneur and can start your business.

Your contact at

VluchtelingenWerk Nederland (VWN)

If you are an entrepreneur, you have to pay VAT to the Dutch tax authorities every 3 months. This is done in the form of VAT.

You include VAT in the price of goods and services you sell. This usually involves 9 or 21 percent VAT on top of the price of your product. You must remit the VAT you receive from clients to the Dutch tax authorities.

You can deduct the VAT you yourself paid to suppliers. So you pay VAT on the difference between your purchase price (including expenses) and selling price.