KVK English newsletter #2 – Ready to do business?
The summer vacation period is almost upon us. If you’re taking time to recharge, maybe you’ll come away with fresh inspiration for starting a new business. Or maybe even changing up things with your current business. If so, this edition guides you through the simple process of registering your business at KVK.?
Registering at KVK: tips and tricks for non-Dutch speakers?
When you want to register your new business with KVK, you have several options. If you want to register a bv (private limited company) or an nv (public limited company), you have to make use of a civil-law notary. In that case, language is not much of a problem. The notary will take care of your registration in Dutch. But for an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship) or vof (general partnership), it is a different matter. You can register online – but this can only be done in Dutch.??
So how do you go about it? Well, all of our PDF registration forms are available in a bilingual version: English-Dutch. You can find them on our forms page.?
You can use the English-language form in 2 ways:??
Can I just fill in the English PDF form??
You will notice that when you fill out the English form, the answers will automatically be copied onto the Dutch form attached at the end of the PDF document. Great! But, be aware that if you fill in a free text field – such as for your business activity – your entry will not be translated. You still have to enter the Dutch terms… don’t be afraid to just use free tools like DeepL or Google Translate here. Their translations are mostly accurate. To make sure you have used the correct words, try to find your business activity in the list of SBI codes. Now what? Yes, SBI codes: the official classification of your business activity or activities in the Netherlands. If you find the code that fits best with your activity, you can fill in the number of the code. Don’t worry, it will be checked later.?
After filling in the form, you print and sign it. Be sure to sign the Dutch form. You need to bring this to your appointment at KVK. The forms also tell you if you need to bring any extra paperwork with you.?
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Why do I have to make an appointment??
The Dutch government needs to be absolutely certain that you are who you say you are. For that reason, you have to come in with valid proof of your identity. A digital signature or ID is not yet enough. This will hopefully change in the future, once electronic IDs have become trustworthy across the EU and other countries. But for now, yes, you need to make that appointment and come to a KVK office.?
The first available appointment is in a month. But I want to register now!?
Our offices can get quite busy, so it is wise to book ahead. Or look for an office that is less crowded. For example, Amsterdam is almost always busy, but we also have offices in Alkmaar, Utrecht, The Hague, and other places. You can also check the appointment calendar a few times – there are nearly always last-minute cancellations.?
And, even if you’re only at the planning stage, you can make an appointment and register your business ahead of time. You can do this up to 3 months before the actual start of your business, reporting your desired starting date upon registration.?
What happens during the appointment??
Whether you registered online or brought a form with you, the registration appointment should be straightforward. And don’t hesitate to ask for help in English. A KVK employee will guide you through the process, check the details you filled in, double-check your business activities, then take a copy of your ID. Finally, you pay the registration fee and you have the option to purchase a KVK Business Register Extract on the spot. This extract is optional and can be purchased at any time. But as the official proof of your business registration, you may need to show it to others sooner rather than later.?
And that’s it. Don’t forget to take a celebration selfie on the way out. The rest is up to you. But remember that KVK is here to support you through all stages of your business journey. Why not dig deeper into these pages to get started??
News?
Did you know that 1 July is often a key moment for businesses? This is one of the official dates in the year when the Dutch government introduces new laws or updates existing regulations. For example, the minimum wage is going up, be careful to use the correct driving licence for commercial electric vehicles, and new quality requirements in the childcare sector will be introduced. Find out more.