Starting a Business in the Netherlands as a Foreigner: Complete Guide

You live in the Netherlands. Maybe you have been here for years, maybe just a few months. You have a business idea. Or you are a freelancer who wants to make it official. The big question: how does it work when you are not Dutch? The short answer: easier than you think. The longer answer is right here.

Can you start a business as a foreigner?

If you come from an EU or EEA country (or Switzerland), you do not need a work permit to start a business in the Netherlands. You have the same rights as Dutch citizens. If you come from outside the EU, you need a residence permit that allows self-employment.

Step 1: Get your BSN and register your address

Before you can start a business, you need a citizen service number (BSN). You get this when you register at the municipality where you live. Bring your passport and rental agreement to the municipal office. You will have your BSN within a few days.

Step 2: Register at the KvK

The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) is where you officially register your business. Registration costs 85.15 euros (one-time). You can fill out the preparation form online in English, but the actual registration happens at a KvK office.

What you need:

• Valid passport or ID
• BSN
• Residential address in the Netherlands
• Business name and description of your activities

After registration you receive a KvK number and are automatically registered with the tax authority. Your VAT number arrives by post within a few weeks.

Step 3: Open a business bank account

A business bank account is not legally required for sole proprietors but strongly recommended. Banks like Bunq, Knab, and Revolut Business are popular with foreign entrepreneurs because the application process is fully online.

Step 4: Apply for DigiD

DigiD is your digital identity for logging in to the tax authority, municipality, and other government services. Apply at digid.nl. You need your BSN and will receive an activation code by post.

Taxes and administration

As an entrepreneur in the Netherlands you pay:

• Income tax on your profit (as a sole proprietor)
• VAT (BTW) filed quarterly
• Healthcare insurance contribution (Zvw)

Your administration should be kept in Dutch, or at least in a way the tax authority can review. In practice, English records are accepted, but all official communication is in Dutch.

Overcoming the language barrier

This might be the biggest hurdle for foreign entrepreneurs. Letters from the Belastingdienst are in Dutch. Your VAT return is in Dutch. KvK correspondence is in Dutch. An accountant who speaks your language and knows the Dutch tax system is the difference between stress and peace of mind.

At MOJKA Finance, we speak Dutch, English, and Polish. We guide foreign entrepreneurs in Rotterdam and across the Netherlands, from KvK registration to annual accounts. As your expat accountant in Rotterdam, MOJKA Finance is here to help – see what we can do for you or get in touch.