Five steps to register as a freelancer in the Netherlands

A) Before Registering as a Self-Employed Person

1.Check if you are an entrepreneur You want to register, but is it really necessary? See the 3 criteria and the 4 control questions to verify this.

1.1. Criteria of a business

a. You provide services and/or products.

b. You charge more for this than the cost price: a (commercial) price or hourly rate that makes you money.

c. You do business with people other than friends or family and also compete with entrepreneurs who sell the same or equivalent services or products.

1.2. Control questions

a. Do you invest money and/or time in starting or growing your business?

b. Do you regularly work in your own business, and it is not a one-time job?

c. Are you going to work for more than 1 client?

d. Do you decide when and how you do your work?

NOTE: If you answered yes to all the additional questions, register with the KVK.

2. Contact the UWV or the municipality (Gemeente) if you receive benefits

Do you want to start a business and receive benefits? First discuss the plans with the UWV or, if you receive social assistance benefits, with the municipality (Gemeente).

3. Do you already have a sole proprietorship?

It is not possible to have more than 1 sole proprietorship. So, if you already have a sole proprietorship, you cannot register another one.

(B) How to register as a self-employed person?

STEP 1

You must enter the following link with your Digid

https://www.kvk.nl/inschrijven-en-wijzigen/inschrijven-onderneming-eenmanszaak/

STEP 2

You must complete the online form and verify that the information is correct before submitting the pre-registration.

STEP 3

After you have completed the pre-registration, you must make an appointment at the Chamber of Commerce (KVK).

https://www.kvk.nl/english/making-an-appointment-at-kvk/online-appointment/

STEP 4

During your appointment at the KVK, an advisor will verify your identity, so you must bring your passport or ID

valid identity. The advisor will review if she meets the registration conditions.

STEP 5

After they have verified your identity and requirements, you will be asked to make the registration payment, the cost is 80.10 euros in 2024. 

You pay only by credit or debit card. Please note that the registration statement can be used to open a business bank account, take out business loans, etc.

C) FISCAL OBLIGATIONS AFTER REGISTRATION AT THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE (KVK)

After registering as freelancer, you will have two tax obligations:

a) Income tax return (March-April)

b) VAT declaration – BTW (January, April, July and October)

Source :  KVK