REQUIREMENTS
REGISTRATION
Registration at the Chamber of Commerce
AFTER REGISTRATION
After the company incorporation
Registering for a VAT number
Your company will most likely need a VAT registration number. After the registration at the Chamber of Commerce, your company details will automatically be forwarded to the Dutch Tax Authorities (Belastingdienst). The Belastingdienst will first assess if you are an entrepreneur for VAT purposes. Afterwards they will send you your VAT number within 5 working days. In some cases the Belastingdienst will need some additional information from you before they hand out the VAT number. This information request is usually processed by mail and is sent to your new company's address.
This process is the same for a sole proprietor (eenmanszaak), partnership (vof) and a limited liability company (BV).
The VAT number has the following format: NL123456789B01. You can check the validity of your VAT number for EU cross-border transactions using the EU VAT VIES tool. This is also helpful if you want to invoice a foreign company and want to be sure if you should charge VAT or not.
VAT number application for EU and non-EU business owners in the Netherlands
When registering a Dutch company, especially a BV (private limited company), entrepreneurs typically receive a questionnaire from the Dutch tax authorities (Belastingdienst). The form specifically targets non-resident directors and foreign-owned companies to verify their economic substance in the Netherlands. It's a crucial step in obtaining a VAT number, which is necessary for conducting business in the Netherlands. The tax office uses a detailed questionnaire to assess whether the company has genuine business activities and sufficient presence in the Netherlands, rather than being just a 'letterbox company'. Companies typically receive this letter after their registration with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK).
| Category | Required Information | Supporting Documents |
|---|---|---|
| Business Activities |
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| Physical Presence |
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| Trade Information |
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| Management Structure |
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| Important: All forms must be completed in Dutch. Original documents only. Third-party submissions require authorization from all parties. Submit to local tax office mentioned on the letter. | ||
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