What Is the Netherlands Company Register?
The Netherlands company register is the Handelsregister (Business Register), maintained by the Kamer van Koophandel (KVK) — the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. It is the single, centralised registry for all businesses and legal entities operating in the Netherlands.
Every company — from a one-person sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) to a publicly listed NV — must register with the KVK. This has been a legal requirement since the Handelsregisterwet (Trade Registry Act) of 2007. The register covers private companies, public companies, partnerships, foundations, cooperatives, and foreign branch offices.
As of Q1 2025, approximately 2,578,878 business establishments are registered in the KVK Business Register. This number continues to grow year-on-year, making the Netherlands one of the most active business environments in Europe.
Key fact: The KVK is technically a "quango" — an organisation to which the Dutch government has devolved power. It operates under the Wet op de Kamer van Koophandel (Chamber of Commerce Act) 2013 and is headquartered in Utrecht.
The register serves two primary purposes. First, it provides legal transparency — anyone can check who they're doing business with, whether a company is active or dissolved, and who holds signing authority. Second, it supports regulatory compliance, giving banks, insurers, and government agencies the data they need for due diligence, KYB (Know Your Business), and anti-money laundering checks.
How to Perform a KVK Number Search
Every registered Dutch business receives a unique KVK number — an 8-digit identifier that serves as the company's official registration number. Think of it as the Dutch equivalent of a UK company number or a US EIN.
You can search for a company's KVK number (or search using it) at kvk.nl/en/search. The search accepts three inputs: a company's trade name, its KVK number, or its registered address.
Go to the KVK Search Portal
Visit kvk.nl/en/search. The site is available in both Dutch and English.
Enter Company Name or KVK Number
Type the business name, KVK number, or address. Note: the search uses whole-text matching, so partial terms may return no results.
Review Basic Results (Free)
You'll see the company's KVK number, trade name, legal form, and registered address at no cost. Results are capped at 50 matches.
Order Detailed Documents (Paid)
For full extracts, financial statements, or ownership history, you'll need to create an account and pay a small fee (starting at €2.85).
Pro tip: Beyond the KVK number, every Dutch company also has an RSIN number (used for tax and government interactions) and a vestigingsnummer (branch/establishment number). Don't confuse them — the KVK number identifies the legal entity; the vestigingsnummer identifies a specific location.
The KVK Handelsregister Explained
The Handelsregister is the backbone of Dutch corporate transparency. Maintained by the KVK under the Trade Registry Act 2007, it contains data on every business and legal entity in the Netherlands.
Here's what the Handelsregister records for each registered company:
| Data Category | Details Available | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Identification | Trade name(s), KVK number, RSIN number, branch number | Free |
| Address | Registered office, visiting address, postal address | Free |
| Legal Form | BV, NV, VOF, Eenmanszaak, Stichting, etc. | Free |
| Activity | SBI code (Standard Industrial Classification) & description | Free |
| Officers | Directors, authorised signatories, main shareholder | Extract (€2.85+) |
| Capital | Issued capital, share structure (for BVs/NVs) | Business Extract |
| Financials | Balance sheet, revenue, assets (last 7 years) | Annual Accounts (€2.85+) |
| History | Former names, previous legal forms, former officers | Company History (€2.85+) |
Key documents you can retrieve from the KVK include:
Business Extract (Uittreksel Handelsregister) — Available in English and Dutch. Provides a company overview: name, KVK number, address, legal form, capital structure, and directors. This is the most commonly requested document.
Annual Accounts (Jaarrekeningen) — Financial statements for the last seven years, including balance sheet and revenue data.
Foundation Statutes (Statuten) — A company's Deed of Incorporation and Articles of Association.
Important limitation: The KVK only lists the main shareholder of a Netherlands-registered entity. Other shareholders remain in a private register held by the company itself. This is a significant gap for anyone doing ownership due diligence.
Dutch Company Types: BV, NV, VOF & More
Understanding Dutch legal structures is essential when researching companies in the Netherlands. The type of entity tells you about liability exposure, governance, and reporting obligations.
BV (Besloten Vennootschap)
- ✓ Private limited company — most popular structure
- ✓ No minimum share capital (as low as €0.01)
- ✓ Shareholders have limited liability
- ✓ Shares are not publicly tradeable
- ✓ Requires notarial deed to incorporate
- ✓ Corporate tax: 19% up to €200K, 25.8% above
NV (Naamloze Vennootschap)
- ✓ Public limited company
- ✗ Minimum capital: €45,000
- ✓ Shares can be listed on stock exchange
- ✓ Suitable for large enterprises / IPOs
- ✓ Requires notarial deed & supervisory board (for large NVs)
- ✓ Stricter reporting requirements than BV
| Structure | Dutch Name | Liability | Min. Capital | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BV | Besloten Vennootschap | Limited | €0.01 | SMEs, startups, foreign subsidiaries |
| NV | Naamloze Vennootschap | Limited | €45,000 | Large corporations, IPOs |
| VOF | Vennootschap onder Firma | Unlimited (joint & several) | None | Small partnerships, family businesses |
| Eenmanszaak | Sole Proprietorship | Unlimited (personal) | None | Freelancers, ZZP'ers |
| CV | Commanditaire Vennootschap | Mixed (general + limited partners) | None | Investment vehicles, joint ventures |
| Stichting | Foundation | Limited | None | Non-profit, governance, holding |
| Coöperatie | Cooperative | Varies by statute | None | Collectives, agricultural, freelance pools |
The BV is by far the most common structure for both Dutch and foreign entrepreneurs. Since the "flex BV" reform in 2012 removed the minimum capital requirement, it has become the default choice for anyone wanting limited liability without the overhead of a public company.
How to Check Dutch Company Registration Status
Confirming that a Dutch company is properly registered — and still active — takes just a few minutes. Here's how to run a Netherlands company registration check:
Option 1: Direct KVK Search. Visit kvk.nl/en/search and enter the company name or KVK number. The free results show whether the entity is registered, its legal form, and its current status. For proof of registration (needed for bank accounts, contracts, or licenses), order a Business Register Extract.
Option 2: Use the KVK App. The free KVK App Handelsregister (available on iOS and Android) allows quick lookups of basic registry data on the go — useful for verifying counterparties before meetings or transactions.
Option 3: Global Database. For professionals who need to verify Dutch companies at scale — alongside entities in 200+ other countries — Global Database pulls data directly from the KVK and enriches it with financial statements, ownership structures, and compliance intelligence. One API, 400+ government registries, instant results.
Global Database connects directly to the KVK Handelsregister — plus 400+ other official government registries worldwide. Get structured company data, ownership chains, and financial statements through a single API or web portal.
Explore Global Database →Netherlands Business Registry vs Other Dutch Registers
The KVK Handelsregister is the primary register, but it's not the only one. Several other Dutch registers hold complementary corporate data:
| Register | Maintained By | What It Contains |
|---|---|---|
| Handelsregister | KVK | Core company data, officers, financial statements, SBI codes |
| UBO Register | KVK | Ultimate Beneficial Owners (restricted access) |
| Kadaster | Netherlands' Cadastre | Land and property ownership records |
| AFM Register | Authority for Financial Markets | Licensed financial services firms, investment firms, advisors |
| DNB Register | De Nederlandsche Bank | Licensed banks, insurers, pension funds |
| Belastingdienst | Netherlands Tax Authority | Tax registrations (VAT, corporate tax, payroll) |
For comprehensive due diligence on a Dutch entity, you'll often need to cross-reference data from the Handelsregister with records from the Kadaster (property), AFM or DNB (regulated entities), and the UBO register (ownership). Global Database aggregates data across multiple official sources — giving you a single view of a Dutch company's identity, finances, and corporate structure.
Kamer van Koophandel: Role & Authority
The Kamer van Koophandel (KVK) is not just a database. It's an active institution with broad responsibilities across the Dutch business ecosystem:
Company registration and dissolution. The KVK processes all new business registrations, amendments, and deregistrations. When you register with the KVK, your details are automatically forwarded to the Netherlands Tax Administration (Belastingdienst) — you don't need to register separately for tax.
Business Register maintenance. The KVK maintains the Handelsregister under a legal obligation to keep records accurate and current. Companies must report changes (new directors, address changes, name changes) in a timely manner.
UBO Register administration. Since the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive implementation, the KVK also maintains the Dutch UBO register, where companies must report their Ultimate Beneficial Owners.
Data services and APIs. The KVK provides structured data access through several APIs and bulk datasets, supporting both government agencies and commercial platforms that need real-time registry data.
Entrepreneurship support. Beyond registration, the KVK offers advisory services, startup programmes, and business resources to Dutch entrepreneurs.
What Dutch Company Data Is Public?
The Netherlands has a relatively transparent business register — but not everything is open. Here's the breakdown:
Free & Publicly Available
The following data is available at no cost through the KVK search portal: company trade name(s), KVK number, legal form, registered office address, SBI activity code, and registration status (active/dissolved/bankrupt).
Available for a Fee
Detailed documents start at €2.85 for online viewing. These include the Business Extract (directors, capital structure, authorised signatories), Annual Accounts (balance sheet, revenue, assets — last 7 years), Company History (former names, previous officers, historical legal forms), and Foundation Statutes (Articles of Association, Deed of Incorporation). A digital certified copy costs €9.25; paper copies are €18.55.
Restricted Access
UBO data (Ultimate Beneficial Owners) is only accessible to competent authorities, financial institutions, and entities with a demonstrated legitimate interest. Full shareholder registers beyond the main shareholder are held privately by the companies themselves.
What this means for due diligence: While the Netherlands provides strong basic transparency, tracing full ownership chains requires going beyond the standard KVK extract. The registry only lists the main shareholder, and the UBO register is restricted. This is where third-party data providers like Global Database add value — sourcing, structuring, and enriching data from official government filings to build complete corporate profiles.
The Dutch UBO Register: Ownership Transparency
The Netherlands established its UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) register as part of the EU Anti-Money Laundering Directive. The register is maintained by the KVK and records the natural persons who ultimately own or control Dutch companies.
A UBO is defined as any natural person who holds 25% or more of a company's shares, voting rights, or ownership interest. If no individual meets that threshold, the company must register a "pseudo-UBO" — typically a senior managing director.
Who must register UBOs?
Most Dutch entities are required to file, including unlisted BVs and NVs, partnerships (VOFs and CVs), associations, foundations, cooperatives, and European Economic Interest Groupings registered in the Netherlands. Foreign entities with only a Dutch branch are exempt — they register UBOs in their country of origin.
Who can access the UBO register?
Following a November 2022 European Court of Justice ruling, unrestricted public access to UBO registers across the EU was suspended on privacy grounds. In the Netherlands, access is now limited to:
Competent authorities (police, tax administration, Financial Intelligence Unit) who can view all data at any time. Obliged entities (banks, law firms, accountants) who can access UBO data for AML compliance during onboarding and monitoring. The Dutch government is currently drafting rules for "legitimate interest" access, which will expand availability to journalists and certain organisations. A dedicated UBO API is expected to launch in 2026.
Compliance note: Companies must update their UBO data with the KVK within 7 days of any change in ownership, control, or beneficial interest. Non-compliance can result in restrictions on opening new business relationships with AML-regulated institutions.
How to Verify Company Information in the Netherlands
Whether you're onboarding a new Dutch supplier, running a KYB check, or conducting M&A due diligence, here's a practical verification workflow:
Confirm KVK Registration
Search the company on kvk.nl to verify it exists, is active, and matches the name/address provided to you.
Order a Business Extract
Request an Uittreksel Handelsregister to see directors, authorised signatories, capital structure, and legal form. This is the standard "proof of registration" document.
Check Financial Statements
Pull the last 7 years of Annual Accounts to assess financial health, revenue trends, and balance sheet strength.
Investigate Ownership
The KVK only shows the main shareholder. For full ownership chains, cross-reference with company filings or use a data provider with government registry access.
Cross-Reference Regulatory Registers
If the company operates in regulated sectors, check AFM (financial services) or DNB (banking/insurance) registers for licensing status.
Global Database sources data directly from the KVK Handelsregister and 400+ other government registries. Get structured company profiles, financial statements, ownership data, and compliance intelligence — through a single API integration or web portal.
Start Searching →Accessing Dutch Company Data via API
The KVK offers several APIs for programmatic access to the Handelsregister. Each covers a different data scope:
| KVK API | Purpose | Data Returned |
|---|---|---|
| Handelsregister Zoeken | Basic search | Name, KVK number, RSIN, address, location |
| Handelsregister Basisprofiel | Company profile | SBI code, employee count, description |
| Vestigingsprofiel | Branch data | Contact details, branch-level ownership |
| Naamgeving | Name information | Legal names, naming history, trademarks |
Limitation worth noting: The KVK's APIs don't include structured shareholder data. Verifying shareholders through official channels requires manual extraction from filed company documents.
The KVK also provides a free Open Data Set — a bulk dataset with location, registration date, SBI codes, and dissolution dates. However, this data is fully anonymised (no company names or KVK numbers), making it useful only for statistical analysis, not company-level research.
Enterprise-Grade Alternative: Global Database API
For organisations that need Dutch company data alongside global coverage, Global Database provides a single API that connects directly to the KVK Handelsregister and 400+ government registries across 200+ countries. Benefits include structured company profiles with ownership data, financial statements, enriched with compliance signals and risk indicators, full audit trails for regulatory reporting, and flexible reseller rights for data redistribution.
See the full directory of European company registries covered by Global Database.
Frequently Asked Questions
The official company register of the Netherlands is the Handelsregister (Business Register), maintained by the Kamer van Koophandel (KVK) — the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. Every business and legal entity operating in the Netherlands must register here to receive a unique KVK number.
You can search the KVK Handelsregister at kvk.nl using a company's trade name, KVK number, or address. Basic information is free. For detailed extracts, financial statements, or ownership data, fees apply. Alternatively, use Global Database for enriched, structured Dutch company data via API or web portal.
A KVK number is the unique 8-digit registration number assigned to every business registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. You can find it on a company's invoices, website, official correspondence, or by searching the Handelsregister at kvk.nl.
Free public data includes: company name and trade names, KVK number and RSIN number, registered office address, legal form, SBI activity codes, and registration status. Financial statements (last 7 years) and detailed extracts are available for a fee starting at €2.85.
As of Q1 2025, approximately 2.58 million business establishments were registered in the KVK Business Register. The enterprise population grew over 50% in the decade from 2010 to 2020 and continues to expand, although growth has slowed recently.
A BV (Besloten Vennootschap) is a private limited company — the most common Dutch business structure. It requires no minimum share capital and shares cannot be freely traded. An NV (Naamloze Vennootschap) is a public limited company requiring €45,000 minimum capital, with shares that can be listed on a stock exchange. Most Dutch companies are BVs; NVs are reserved for large corporations.
The UBO (Ultimate Beneficial Owner) register records the natural persons who ultimately own or control Dutch companies. Following a 2022 EU Court of Justice ruling, public access was suspended. Currently, only competent authorities (police, tax administration) and obliged entities (banks, law firms) can access it. A legitimate interest access route is expected in 2026.
Yes. To register with the KVK, you need a Dutch visiting address. This can be your own address or a business address such as your accountant's office, provided you have a signed declaration of consent. An exception exists for entrepreneurs in border regions who can prove structural business activity in the Netherlands.
Request a Business Register extract from the KVK, which confirms registration status, legal form, directors, and authorised signatories. For deeper due diligence — including financial statements, ownership structures, and cross-border verification — platforms like Global Database pull data directly from the KVK registry and enrich it with additional corporate intelligence.
Yes. The KVK offers several APIs (Handelsregister Zoeken, Basisprofiel, Vestigingsprofiel, and Naamgeving) for structured data retrieval on a paid basis. For enterprise-grade access with enriched data, ownership structures, and multi-country coverage, Global Database provides a single API that connects directly to the KVK and 400+ other government registries worldwide.