Chamber of Commerce (KVK): What do they do?

Introduction

If you are going to start your own business, one of the first steps you take is to register at the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). You register your company in the Trade Register and then it's official: your own company is a fact. But what exactly does the Chamber of Commerce do? And what use is it to you as an entrepreneur?

What is the Chamber of Commerce?

The Chamber of Commerce (KvK) is an independent administrative body in the Netherlands that focuses on registering, supporting and advising businesses. The main purpose of the KvK is to promote a healthy business climate and support entrepreneurs in their business operations.

Every company in the Netherlands, from one-man businesses to large corporations, must register with the Chamber of Commerce. After registration, the company receives a unique Chamber of Commerce number and is included in the Trade Register. This register contains information on all registered companies in the Netherlands and is publicly accessible.

In addition to registration, the Chamber of Commerce offers support to entrepreneurs through advice, information and networking opportunities. The Chamber of Commerce organizes events, seminars and workshops to help entrepreneurs start, run and grow their businesses. Entrepreneurs can also contact the Chamber of Commerce with questions about laws and regulations, financing and other business topics.

How did the Chamber of Commerce come into being?

The Chamber of Commerce (CoC) arose from the need for an organization to represent and promote the interests of the business community. The basis for the KvK is in the French era, when the Netherlands was under the rule of Napoleon.

In 1803, the first Chamber of Commerce was established in the Netherlands, inspired by the French model of the "Chambre de Commerce." Its purpose was to promote trade and industry and represent the interests of entrepreneurs. The first Chamber of Commerce was established in Rotterdam, and other cities soon followed.

Over the years, the role of the Chamber of Commerce has changed and expanded. The CoC was given more and more tasks and responsibilities, such as maintaining a trade register and providing advice and support to entrepreneurs. The CoC has since grown into an important independent administrative body in the Netherlands.

In 2014, a major reorganization took place in which the individual regional Chambers of Commerce were merged into one national organization: the Chamber of Commerce Netherlands. This was intended to work more efficiently and save costs. The Chamber of Commerce remains committed to promoting the business climate and supporting entrepreneurs in the Netherlands.

What exactly does the Chamber of Commerce do?

The Chamber of Commerce has six statutory duties:

1. Managing the Trade Register, in which all companies and legal entities in the Netherlands are registered. This is the main task of KVK and registration in the Trade Register is mandatory for all Dutch companies and legal entities.
2. Provide information and advice to entrepreneurs on a variety of entrepreneurial topics, ranging from starting a business to growing abroad. Information on financial schemes and making your business sustainable can also be obtained from KVK.
3. Advise and support companies in developing innovations.
4. Stimulate the regional economy and solve bottlenecks for entrepreneurs in the region.
5. Managing Entrepreneur Plazas, physical meeting places for entrepreneurs in the region.
6. Maintaining and updating the Digital Entrepreneurs' Square, with information on everything related to entrepreneurship. On the website you will find information and advice from KVK, the Tax Office, RVO, CBS, UWV and other government organizations.

What is the cost of registering with the Chamber of Commerce?

If you want to register as an entrepreneur with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) in the Netherlands, it will cost you a one-time fee of €75, excluding VAT. You do not have to renew this annually, once you are registered the Chamber of Commerce automatically renews your registration. This fee is for registering a sole proprietorship, general partnership (vof), partnership, limited partnership (cv) or private limited company (bv).

Where can I apply for a VAT number?

When you register a company with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC) in the Netherlands, you are automatically registered with the tax authorities. If your company is subject to VAT, you will receive a VAT number from the Tax Office after registering with the Chamber of Commerce.

Here are the steps to get a VAT number:

1. Register your company with the Chamber of Commerce. This can be done online or by making an appointment at a CoC office.
2. During the registration process, you will be asked if you are liable for VAT. If your business is subject to VAT, indicate this during the registration process.
3. After registering with the Chamber of Commerce, the Inland Revenue will send you a letter with your VAT number within a few days. This number is also called a "VAT identification number" or "sales tax number.
4. Use the VAT number on your invoices and in your records. This lets your customers know that your business is subject to VAT.

Keep in mind that it may take several days before you receive the letter with your VAT number from the Tax Office. It is important to keep your records in order and use the VAT number correctly on your invoices and in your accounts.

Registration of trade names

In 1920, they became independent and were divided into 36 regional chambers. With the introduction of the Trade Register Act in 1921, the chambers were given an important task: registering trade names. Over the years, the regional chambers merged into one Chamber of Commerce.

Getting information through Chamber of Commerce

If you have a question about anything to do with business, chances are you will find the answer via the KVK website or the Digital Entrepreneurs' Square. In addition, KVK regularly organizes (online) events and theme meetings, such as the KVK Business Challenge, KVK Start Events and Vraag Maar Raak: administration and taxes. At the physical KVK Entrepreneur Plazas you will find various KVK partners under one roof, such as the Tax Office, the UWV and the municipality. This way entrepreneurs, government, education and other partners can easily meet each other.

What are the locations of the Chamber of Commerce?

The Chamber of Commerce has 18 offices throughout the Netherlands, with its headquarters in Utrecht. The offices can be found in Alkmaar, Almere, Amersfoort, Amsterdam, Apeldoorn, Arnhem, Breda, Den Bosch, The Hague, Eindhoven, Enschede, Groningen, Leeuwarden, Middelburg, Roermond, Rotterdam, Utrecht and Zwolle. The locations in Amsterdam, Arnhem, Eindhoven, Groningen and Rotterdam have a physical Entrepreneurs' Square.

Privacy and the Chamber of Commerce

If your business address is different from your residential address, then since January 1, 2022, your residential address can no longer be seen in the Trade Register. Only government organizations or professional groups that have legal permission for this, such as the tax authorities, lawyers and bailiffs, can still request this information. The government wants to investigate how the privacy of all entrepreneurs can be better protected. This is important, because in practice things regularly go wrong. For example, freelance columnist Marcel van Roosmaken received threats at his home address, found through the Trade Register, when he insulted a member of the Forum for Democracy.