KVK Registration for DAFT: Everything You Need to Know

When we walked into the KVK office for our business registration appointment, we had no idea what to expect.

Would they grill us about our business plan? Reject our business idea? Ask for financial projections? We'd spent days preparing documents and rehearsing answers.

Turns out, the appointment was straightforward, friendly, and way less stressful than we'd built it up to be.

Here's what you actually need to know about KVK registration for the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT).

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What Is KVK?

KVK stands for Kamer van Koophandel—the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Every business operating in the Netherlands must register with them.

For DAFT, KVK registration is legally required. It proves your business exists, gives you your official business number (8 digits), and allows you to invoice clients and open business bank accounts.

Think of it like registering your LLC in the US, but simpler and free.

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When to Register

You can't register with KVK until you're physically in the Netherlands with a BSN number.

The typical sequence after arriving:

1. Register at gemeente (get BSN)
2. Find housing
3. Register business at KVK
4. Open business bank account
5. Transfer €4,500 investment

Most people book their KVK appointment in the second or third week after arrival. We booked ours as soon as we had our BSN—there's no reason to wait. For a full checklist of what to do in your first week in the Netherlands, we have a separate guide.

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How to Book Your Appointment

Visit kvk.nl/english and look for "Register a business." You'll choose a location (any KVK office works—your business is registered nationally), select a date, and fill in basic details.

Choosing a location: Your KVK registration is national, not local. You can register at any KVK office in the Netherlands. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Eindhoven all have KVK offices.

Timing: Appointments are typically available 1-2 weeks out. In busy periods (September and January seem popular for DAFT registrations), it can be 2-3 weeks. Book as soon as you have your BSN.

Duration: Budget about 45 minutes to an hour for the appointment itself, plus travel time.

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Prepare Your Business Details

Before your appointment, decide on a few things:

Business name: You can use your personal name (John Smith) or a trade name (Smith Consulting). Many DAFT entrepreneurs start with their personal name and add a trade name later for about €50.

Business description: A brief, clear description of what you do. "Web design and development services" or "Marketing consulting" is sufficient. You don't need a mission statement.

Business address: This will almost certainly be your home address. Working from home is normal and accepted in the Netherlands. No need to rent separate office space just for registration.

SBI code: This is the Dutch classification code for your business activity. Don't stress about choosing the perfect one before your appointment—the KVK advisor will help you select the right code based on your business description.

Pro Tip: Look up SBI codes on the KVK website beforehand so you have a rough idea, but know that the advisor will walk you through it. We spent an hour researching codes and the advisor changed our selection anyway based on a better fit.

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What to Bring

The essentials:

• Valid US passport (original, not a copy)
• BSN number (the paper from your gemeente works)
• Proof of address (rental contract is best)
• DAFT residence permit sticker in your passport, or your IND appointment confirmation letter

That's really it. You don't need financial projections, client contracts, or a detailed business plan. We brought a binder full of extra documents and used none of them.

If you're registering a business that already exists in the US, bring your US business documentation too. It's not strictly required but can help explain your business to the advisor.

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What Actually Happens at the Appointment

Our experience at KVK Amsterdam: we arrived early, checked in at reception, and waited in a modern, comfortable lobby. Very different from the DMV vibe we expected.

The KVK advisor was friendly and spoke perfect English. She asked basic questions:

• What's your business name?
• What does your business do?
• Where will you work from?
• Will you have employees?
• What is your expected start date?
• Are you the sole owner?

She entered everything into their system, verified our documents, and we reviewed the details on screen before signing digitally. She assigned our KVK number and printed our certificate. We walked out in 45 minutes with our business officially registered.

What We Wish We Knew: The atmosphere is nothing like a US government office. There is no line wrapping around the building. No grumpy clerks. It felt more like a friendly business meeting.

The questions we'd rehearsed answers for? They didn't come up. It's administrative, not an interrogation.

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Choosing Your Business Structure

For DAFT, most people choose an eenmanszaak (sole proprietorship). It's the simplest structure, free to register, and has minimal administrative burden. You and your business are the same legal entity.

The downside is unlimited personal liability—you're responsible for business debts. But for freelancers, consultants, and small service businesses, this is rarely an issue.

A BV (private limited company) offers liability protection and is better for scaling, but costs €3,000-5,000 to set up through a notary, requires more complex tax filing, and has annual reporting requirements.

Other structures like VOF (general partnership) or CV (limited partnership) exist but are rarely used for initial DAFT registration.

Our recommendation: start with eenmanszaak. You can convert to a BV later if your business grows significantly. For ideas on what type of business works well with DAFT, see What Kind of Business Can You Start with DAFT?

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After Registration

You'll walk out with your 8-digit KVK number and official certificate. Keep these safe—you'll need the number constantly.

Belastingdienst contact: Within 2-4 weeks, you'll receive a letter from the Dutch tax authority (Belastingdienst). They'll assign you a BTW (VAT) number and explain your tax obligations. For details on what comes next, see our VAT registration guide.

Business bank account: With your KVK number in hand, you can now open a business bank account and transfer your required €4,500 DAFT investment.

Start invoicing: You're legally allowed to do business from the registration date. Start sending invoices, sign client contracts, and operate your business.

KVK extract: You can download a digital KVK extract (uittreksel) from the KVK website. This serves as official proof of your business registration and is needed for bank accounts, insurance, and client onboarding.

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Registering Your Business for DAFT Specifically

There's an important distinction: KVK registration is a general business process. Every business in the Netherlands does it, not just DAFT applicants.

For DAFT specifically, your KVK registration serves as proof that you have a genuine business in the Netherlands. The IND (immigration service) looks at this during your residence permit application and renewal.

A few DAFT-specific tips:

Your business description should match what you told the IND in your DAFT application. Consistency matters.

Register as soon as possible after arriving. The longer the gap between your arrival and your KVK registration, the more questions it may raise.

Keep your KVK extract accessible. You'll need it for your IND appointment and DAFT renewal. For a broader overview of registering your business for DAFT purposes, we have a dedicated guide.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register for multiple business activities? Yes. Most freelancers register 2-3 SBI codes to cover the range of services they offer. You can add or remove codes later for free.

What if I change my business name later? You can add a trade name for about €50. Your legal KVK registration stays the same.

Do I need a separate office address? No. Home addresses are standard for eenmanszaak registrations. This is completely normal in the Netherlands.

Can my spouse register a business too? Yes, if they also have a DAFT residence permit and BSN. Each person registers separately.

What if my Dutch is not good? Not a problem. KVK advisors speak English and the entire process can be conducted in English. The forms and system are also available in English.

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Got your KVK registration done? Next step is understanding what happens at your IND appointment to finalize your residence permit. Read the IND Appointment Guide →

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We're not immigration lawyers—just Americans who did this. Requirements change, so verify with official sources.