Every company and any other legal entity in the Netherlands is obligated to register with the Trade Register. Therefore, the Dutch Trade Register (also known as the Business Register) has the obligation of providing different information on multiple types of companies (our lawyers can offer services on company registration in the Netherlands).
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What are the roles of the Business Register?
Besides the standard formalities for company registration in the Netherlands, the Business Register is also responsible for the following:
- company changes (such as the change of directors, partners, authorized representative, the change of address, the change of a trade name, the modification of activities ,etc.);
- company deregistration;
- obtaining corporate extracts;
- submitting and publishing financial records;
- providing search tools on the legal entities registered here;
- registration of Ultimate Beneficial Owners (UBOs).
The institution provides details that can refer to the current status of company, previous business partners, if the person collaborating with the company has the legal right to act on behalf of the company, or if the company you are interested in working with is on the verge of bankruptcy. Therefore, the records provide a certain degree of security to companies and other entities when starting collaboration.
The Trade Register offers specific information on companies opened in the Netherlands and other legal entities, such as name and address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail addresses and correspondence. It also provides details on branches, officers and authorized signatories, number of employees, owners, as well as information on possible bankruptcy.
Basic documentation needed to register a company in the Netherlands
In regards to the documentation needed, the process is simple: a registration form must be filled in. In addition, it is necessary to present a valid identification document, such as an identity card, passport or driver license. After the company is registered, you should know that the company must comply with the rules for VAT in the Netherlands.
What types of companies need to register with the Business Register?
All legal entities operating in the Netherlands need to register with the Business Register. The process must be completed by their representatives during the process of business registration in the Netherlands.
However, the registration process can differ based on the legal entity selected by the investors. In this sense, there are 2 main procedures in order to register a company in the Netherlands:
- direct registration with the institution (online or in person);
- civil law notary registration, followed by registration with the Business Register.
The 2nd type of company registration in the Netherlands is mandatory for legal entities such as:
- private limited company;
- public limited company;
- foundation;
- association.
Do foreign companies need to register with the Business Register?
Yes, investors must also register a business in the Netherlands even though the respective legal entity has been registered elsewhere. Foreign companies setting up branches in the Netherlands need to conduct registration formalities, as well as foreign businesses that simply carry out operations in the Netherlands without having an office here.
Some of the highlights of company registration in the Netherlands for foreign legal entities are:
- it is required to submit Form 6 (registration of non-resident company), Form 11 (registration official of a legal entity) and Form 13 (registration of authorized representative);
- the registration can be made by 3 representatives, namely the director of the company, the authorized person (such as our team of lawyers) or Dutch notary;
- in order to register a business in the Netherlands, it is also required to pay a processing fee of EUR 82.25 (available starting with 1st of January 2025).
How to obtain information on companies from the Trade Register
The Trade Register keeps evidence of all companies, organizations and legal entities that take part of the economic transactions in the Netherlands. Therefore, some information listed in the Dutch Trade Register is public and free of charge, and one can search details of a specific company by its trade name, the Chamber of Commerce number, address or postal code.
If specific information about companies is needed, such as extracts, annual financial statements, corporate relationships, deposits, summary or history, then a fee applies depending on the information requested.
As for the payment method, the Trade Register in the Netherlands offers two options, one is using direct debit, and the second options refers to online payment, creating a prepaid balance with a credit card or iDeal.
Why are companies registered in the Trade Register in the Netherlands?
The Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands registers the information in the Trade Register under the Dutch Commercial Registers Act in order to offer entrepreneurs and private individuals the official information for business purposes, offering legal certainty in regards to commercial activities.
In addition, the government bodies can obtain certain information on companies without asking the entrepreneurs. Therefore, the administrative burden is released.
For more information regarding the Trade Register in the Netherlands please contact our Dutch lawyers. You will receive professional and personalized consultancy for your case.