Starting
Becoming a zzp'er from abroad
Whether you need a Dutch home address depends on how long you work here. Four months is the line.
In short
If you live in another EU country and want to work in the Netherlands as a zzp'er, you register with the KvK; the route depends on how long you work and stay here. If you work in the Netherlands for longer than four months, you need a Dutch home address: you register with the municipality in the Basisregistratie Personen (BRP) and receive a citizen service number (BSN). If you work in the Netherlands for less than four months per half year and do not move here, you register in the Registratie Niet-ingezetenen (RNI) with your foreign home address; you do need a Dutch business address. In both cases you apply for DigiD with your BSN, fill in the KvK registration form and make an appointment at a KvK office. Registration costs € 85.15. If you live abroad, have your business there and can take on, carry out and invoice assignments without an establishment in the Netherlands, you do not need to register your sole proprietorship with the KvK.
The essentials
- Longer than 4 months
- Dutch home address, registration with the municipality in the BRP, then BSN, DigiD and KvK.
- Shorter than 4 months
- Registration in the RNI with your foreign home address, plus a Dutch business address; then BSN, DigiD and KvK.
- Costs
- KvK registration: € 85.15. Registration with the municipality or the RNI desk: free.
- VAT numbers
- The KvK registers your sole proprietorship with the Belastingdienst, the Dutch tax office; within two weeks you receive your VAT ID and turnover tax number by post, if you need them.
- No registration
- If you live abroad, have your business there and work without an establishment in the Netherlands, you do not need to register your sole proprietorship.
Two routes to a KvK number
For zzp'ers and freelancers living in another EU country, as described by Ondernemersplein, the KvK's portal for entrepreneurs. What counts is the period you work and stay in the Netherlands.
| Longer than 4 months: step 1 | Arrange a home address in the Netherlands and register with the municipality (BRP) with a valid ID; you receive a BSN |
|---|---|
| Shorter than 4 months per half year: step 1 | Arrange a Dutch business address (signed rental, purchase or lease contract or a user agreement) and register at an RNI desk with your EU home address; you receive a BSN |
| Step 2, both routes | Apply for DigiD with your BSN |
| Step 3, both routes | Fill in the KvK registration form online and make an appointment at a KvK office; € 85.15 |
| Bring to the KvK | Your ID and your rental or purchase contract if you have premises for your business. On the RNI route also an original extract from the population register of your home country, no older than 2 months, in Dutch, English, German or French |
Try free for 90 days90 days free · no payment method needed · cancel monthly afterwards
When you do and do not register
If you live abroad, have your business there and can take on, carry out and invoice assignments without an establishment in the Netherlands, you do not need to register your sole proprietorship with the KvK. If you want to work in the Netherlands for longer than four months, or have a visiting address for your business here, you do. The KvK may ask for proof if it doubts you have enough activity in the Netherlands.
You can register one sole proprietorship; it may have several trade names and activities. Your visiting address is public in the KvK trade register. If you do not want that, give another address for your post, such as a PO box.
Which route to your KvK registration?
- You live in another EU country → Will you work in the Netherlands for more than four months?
- Will you work in the Netherlands for more than four months? — yes → Municipality (BRP): Dutch home address and BSN
- Will you work in the Netherlands for more than four months? — no → Can you work without a branch or visiting address in the Netherlands?
- Can you work without a branch or visiting address in the Netherlands? — yes → No KvK registration needed
- Can you work without a branch or visiting address in the Netherlands? — no → RNI with your foreign address, plus a Dutch business address
- Municipality (BRP): Dutch home address and BSN → Apply for DigiD and register with the KvK
- RNI with your foreign address, plus a Dutch business address → Apply for DigiD and register with the KvK
After registration
The KvK registers your sole proprietorship with the Dutch tax office. Within two weeks you receive your VAT identification number and your turnover tax number by post, if you need them. If you receive a turnover tax number, you file VAT returns, usually quarterly, and keep records for seven years.
If you come from the EEA or Switzerland and have a temporary assignment in the Netherlands, in a number of sectors you must report in advance to the Dutch reporting desk Postedworkers. Some professions also require a licence or recognition of your diploma.
What the software does for you
Once your sole proprietorship is registered with the KvK, you do your invoices, receipts, bank transactions and VAT return in booxx in your own language, while the bookkeeping underneath follows Dutch rules. Where you pay income tax while living abroad is decided by the Belastingdienst; a tax adviser is the right person for that.
The software works in English, Dutch, Polish, Hungarian and Romanian, and you can try it for 90 days without a payment method.
Try free for 90 days90 days free · no payment method needed · cancel monthly afterwards
Updated October 2, 2026. General explanation of the Dutch rules, not tax advice — for your own situation, decide together with your accountant or the Dutch Tax Administration.
Frequently asked questions
Can I become a zzp'er without a Dutch home address?
Yes, if you work in the Netherlands for less than four months per half year and do not move here. You then register in the Registratie Niet-ingezetenen (RNI) with your foreign home address, and you need a Dutch business address. If you work longer, you need a home address and a BRP registration.
What is the RNI?
The Registratie Niet-ingezetenen, the register of non-residents: for people who do not live in the Netherlands but deal with the Dutch government. You register at a municipality with an RNI desk, with a valid ID and your EU home address, and then receive a BSN. Registration is free.
What do I bring to the KvK if I live abroad?
Your ID, a signed rental, purchase or lease contract or user agreement for your business address, and an original extract from the population register of your home country, no older than two months, in Dutch, English, German or French. The address on it must match your RNI address.
What does registration cost?
KvK registration costs € 85.15. Registration with the municipality or the RNI desk is free.