Registering with the Chamber of Commerce as a sole trader

When to register with the Chamber of Commerce

Register when your activities meet the criteria for a business. Plan your registration around the actual start: usually a week before or after. You can visit up to three months in advance for the identity check; KVK will then finalise the registration a week before the start. Registration and tax obligations are separate assessments. Also keep evidence of the preparation.

Entrepreneur or not (hobby)

Not everything you do counts as entrepreneurship. Do you occasionally sell something through a platform or earn from a creative hobby? Then you may fall outside entrepreneurship. Only if you work structurally for several clients, promote and make a profit, the KVK will see you as an entrepreneur.

Example: You occasionally bake cakes for family or friends and sometimes get a small fee for the ingredients. You do not advertise, have no regular customers and do not want to make a profit from it. In this case, the KVK sees this as a hobby, not a business.

Which legal form do you choose?

If you are starting out for yourself, then the sole proprietorship is often a practical choice. No starting capital is required and you can get started quickly. The earnings are yours, but you are also personally liable for debts, so your private assets are at risk if something goes wrong. If you expect substantial profits or want to limit major financial risks, you can also consider a private limited company (BV). It offers more legal protection but is more costly and complicated to set up. For many self-employed start-ups, a sole proprietorship is the simplest option.

Cost of registration KVK

In 2026, the one-off registration fee is €85.15. When registering at the office, you will receive the invoice by email; you do not pay as standard during the appointment. An ordered extract from the Commercial Register costs extra. View the current registration fee at the Chamber of Commerce.

Registering online; how to do it?

The registration process starts online. At kvk.nl, you fill in all company details, choose a legal form and schedule an appointment at a KVK office. The process works as follows:

1. Go to the KVK website and select 'Register'.
2. Select the legal form: in this case, sole trader. Log in with DigiD.
3. Enter your details: company name, visiting and postal address, activities and actual start date.
4. Choose a business name that is clear and does not cause confusion with existing businesses. This can be checked via the name checker.
5. Check all completed information and schedule an appointment at a KVK location.

After completing, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with an explanation of what to bring.

Appointment at the Chamber of Commerce: what to expect?

An employee will check your details and identity. Please bring a valid proof of identity accepted by the Chamber of Commerce (KvK), such as a Dutch passport, Dutch ID card or Dutch driving licence. Read your appointment confirmation to find out which additional documents are required in your situation.

• Valid identity document.
• Appointment confirmation and verified company details.
• Any additional supporting documents, for example for the business address.

Proof of address is not standardly required for every registration. Usually you get the KvK number immediately, sometimes later. See the Chamber of Commerce explanation regarding preparation and appointment.

After registration: Tax authorities and administration

KVK passes your details on to the tax authorities. They will assess your VAT position and, where applicable, send you your VAT identification number and sales tax number. Check the received letters, the tax return period and the first deadline. Entrepreneurship for income tax purposes is assessed separately.

You remain responsible for administration from preparation, correct invoices and timely VAT return. Registration does not automatically entitle you to entrepreneurs' allowance.

With your CoC number you can also open a business account, so that you keep your business and private payments separate. For this we work together with Rabobank and Go Dutch.

Frequently Asked Questions