Chamber of Commerce
KvK Registration for Foreigners
Every business in the Netherlands starts at the Kamer van Koophandel, and for foreigners the KvK appointment is where paperwork meets reality: identification, a Dutch business address, activity codes and questions asked in a system built for locals.
We prepare the entire registration and then Johanna goes with you to the appointment itself, so language, missing documents or an unexpected question never cost you a second visit.
What is KvK registration?
The KvK, Kamer van Koophandel, is the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, and registration in its trade register is what legally brings a business into existence in the Netherlands. Every company and every freelancer must be listed there.
Registration is public: your company details are visible to anyone, and clients routinely check them before contracting. The KvK passes your details to the tax authority, which is how your VAT number follows, so the activity codes you choose at registration quietly shape your tax position afterwards.
Who we walk in with
- Freelancers and sole traders registering an eenmanszaak
- DAFT applicants whose permit requires a KvK registration
- EU citizens starting to work independently in the Netherlands
- Founders unsure which activities and codes to register
What the KvK needs from you
The Chamber of Commerce appointment is short and unforgiving. Everything is decided by what you bring with you.
- Appointments must be booked in advance, and in busy periods the wait can run to several weeks.
- You need a valid passport or ID, a BSN, and proof of your Dutch business address.
- Non-EU nationals must show a residence permit that allows self-employment.
- The business address must be a real address. A postbox will be refused.
- You choose SBI activity codes at registration, and these follow you into banking, insurance and VAT treatment.
- Registration costs a one-off fee, and your details enter the public commercial register.
Around your registration
Document run-through
Passport, proof of address, and evidence of your business activities, checked against KvK requirements before we book anything.
Business address solutions
The KvK requires a genuine Dutch business address, and a hotel room does not count. We help you arrange one that satisfies both KvK and the tax authority.
SBI codes and description
Your registered activities feed into insurance, banking and taxes. We choose the codes deliberately instead of on the spot at the counter.
Appointment and follow-through
We book the appointment, attend it with you, and afterwards confirm your KvK number, extract and VAT registration all arrive as they should.
Three steps to your KvK number
- 01
Prepare
Documents, address and activity description finalized together.
- 02
Register
We accompany you to the KvK office and handle surprises in the room.
- 03
Confirm
KvK number issued, VAT number followed up, and copies filed where your bank and accountant need them.
Professional fees for KvK registration
Investment from €395
- Registration form prepared and the SBI activity codes chosen correctly
- KvK appointment booked and attended with you
- Address and identity requirements checked before the appointment
- VAT number followed up with the Belastingdienst after registration
Investment figures represent our professional service fees only and are intended as a guideline. Government fees (including IND filing fees), VAT, legalisation and apostille costs, sworn translations, consular charges and any third-party expenses are not included unless explicitly stated in the proposal.
If you do not yet have a BSN, registration is still possible in many situations, but the route differs. Mention it when you contact us and we will plan around it.
Getting the registration right
Why do SBI codes matter so much?
They describe what your company does, and banks, insurers and the tax office all read them. A code that suggests a higher-risk activity can slow or block a business bank account, and a code that is too narrow can complicate invoicing later. We choose them with you deliberately rather than picking the nearest match at the counter.
Can I register without a Dutch address?
No, and this is the most common reason a registration fails. You need an address where the business is actually reachable. We arrange compliant business addresses for clients who are still house hunting, so the company can start while the home search runs.
Do you attend the appointment?
Yes. The appointment runs in Dutch, decisions are made at the desk that are hard to reverse afterwards, and having someone beside you who knows what each question means is the difference between one appointment and three.
What happens immediately afterwards?
You receive your KvK number the same day and your VAT number from the tax office shortly after. Then comes business banking, accounting, invoicing setup and, if relevant, the small business VAT scheme. We work through that sequence with you rather than leaving you with a certificate.
KvK questions
Can I register with the KvK without living in the Netherlands yet?
In some cases yes, if your business genuinely operates from a Dutch address. The setup differs from a resident registration, and we assess which applies to you.
What does KvK registration cost?
The KvK charges a modest one-time registration fee, which changes periodically. We confirm the current amount when we book your appointment, and there are no hidden charges after it.
Do I get my VAT number at the KvK?
The KvK passes your registration to the Belastingdienst, which then issues the VAT number. We track that handover so you are not left waiting in silence, unable to invoice.
Let’s get you registered
Send us your situation and your preferred start date. We will prepare everything and book the KvK together.
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