Seeking for valuable insights and advice on how to start your business in The Netherlands? Check out our step-by-step guide!
Develop an Idea
What will your business be about? What can you offer to others? Think about what you can do better than others. Build your business on your strengths. If you have an idea – just google “Business model canvas Osterwalder”. Fill out the form to get a better idea of how to organize your business.
Register at KvK
KvK – Kamer van Koophandel – is a Dutch Chamber of Commerce. If you want to start a business, you can register there. The simplest form for registration is ZZP (Zelfstandigen zonder personeel) which means Self-Employed Without Personnel. The fee for the registration is 75 EUR (2023). Please note that from the moment of the registration you have to file a return to the tax office every quarter. Even if you do not earn anything, you have to do it. You will receive a letter from a tax office with your details for submitting the declaration, and you can log in to the portal with these details. In the beginning, you can consider doing it by yourself and it is very easy. When you start earning money, the reports might be slightly more complicated. It might be a good idea to consult an accountant to better learn how to fill out the form.
Start working on your Business
You have signed up with KvK – start working! Here are some tips:
Networking
A good network is a key for the success of your business. One of the ways to network can be attending the networking events where you can meet partners, clients and other people who might help your business. Here are some websites where you can look for events:
These are just a few websites. Google “Startup events [city]” and you will find many more!
Funding
Where to find funding for your start-up? You can check the following ways:
- Your municipality – visit the website of the municipality (gemeente) where you live
- Subsidy and Funding Guide
- Funding opportunities for small businesses (European Commission)
Read more about other funding opportunities here.
Need some help?
Join one of the Business Incubators, where you will be supported by facilitators in working out and implementing your idea! You can contact the Business Incubator of the Netherlands Education Group – email info@tneg.nl
You are not from the EU and require a visa for the Netherlands?
Then we have good news! You can apply for a startup visa to come to the Netherlands and work on your idea. The visa is initially granted for 1 year, but can be extended. You can read the details here.