KvK Registration Netherlands: How to Register Your Business at the Chamber of Commerce

The Kamer van Koophandel (KvK) — the Dutch Chamber of Commerce — is where your business officially comes into existence. Until your KvK registration is complete, you do not have a KvK number, you cannot open a business bank account, and you cannot deposit the €4,500 equity that the IND requires. For DAFT applicants, this step sits squarely in the middle of the arrival sequence and depends on having your BSN first.

What You Need Before You Go

The KvK requires your BSN (Citizen Service Number) — which means your gemeente registration must be complete before you can register your business. This is the most common sequencing error: applicants try to register at the KvK before they have their BSN and are turned away.

Documents required:

• Your BSN
• Valid US passport
• A completed registration form (available online at kvk.nl or at the desk)
• €85.15 registration fee (payable by debit card at the desk)
• Your chosen trade name (handelsnaam)
• Your SBI activity code (the Dutch equivalent of a NAICS code — select the code that best describes your primary business activity)

The Registration Appointment

Book your KvK appointment online at kvk.nl. Wait times vary by location — Amsterdam and The Hague tend to be busiest. Most appointments take 30 to 60 minutes.

During the appointment, the KvK advisor will walk through your registration form, confirm your business details, and process the registration. If you are registering as a ZZP (sole proprietorship/Eenmanszaak), the process is straightforward — it is you, doing business under a trade name.

If you incorporated a BV remotely from the US (typically for the 30% ruling), the notary will have already registered the BV at the KvK. Your appointment is to register yourself as the DGA (directeur-grootaandeelhouder — director-major shareholder) and receive the extract.

What You Receive

Upon registration, the KvK issues:

• A KvK number (8 digits) — your business identification number
• A KvK extract (uittreksel) — the official document proving your business exists, which you will need for bank account applications and your IND dossier

Within approximately two weeks, the Belastingdienst (tax authority) will automatically send your VAT (BTW) number and income tax registration details by post to your registered address. You do not need to apply separately.

Choosing Your SBI Code

The SBI (Standaard Bedrijfsindeling) code classifies your business activity. For most freelancers and consultants, the relevant codes include:

• 6201 — Computer programming
• 7022 — Business and management consultancy
• 7311 — Advertising agencies
• 7410 — Specialised design activities
• 9003 — Artistic creation (writers, artists)
• 6202 — Computer consultancy
• 7020 — Management consultancy

You can select multiple SBI codes if your business covers several activities. The primary code should reflect your main revenue source.

After Registration

With your KvK number and extract in hand, the next steps accelerate: open your business bank account (Bunq accepts the KvK extract immediately), deposit the €4,500, engage your BECON accountant for the opening balance sheet, and submit your complete IND dossier.

For the full arrival sequence with day-by-day timing, see the Netherlands DAFT (Self-Employment) Visa Guide.

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