Banking & Practical

Registration at the Dutch Business Register (KVK): What Happens and When

Updated: 19 August 2026 Holdwise editorial team KVK Registration Business register

Right after the deed is signed, the notary registers your BV at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK). A BV is a Dutch private limited company. The KVK then issues the company numbers, and your company is visible to everyone. Every business partner reads the KVK extract first. At Holdwise, we keep this answer up to date and change it when the rules change.

What happens at incorporation

The notary registers the new BV right after the deed is signed. For founders, this step involves zero extra signatures. This also applies when you set up the company from abroad. The KVK issues the KVK number, which is the public company ID. The company also gets an RSIN, the number used in government systems. The KVK records the directors, their powers to represent the company and the registered address. It records the activity codes of the company as well. The registration fee is a one-time amount of a few tens of euros. This is the cheapest step of the whole formation.

What is on the KVK extract

Banks, platforms, customers and suppliers all use the same extract. It has the company details, the directors and who may sign, the address and the activities. This is the public record of your company, so check the details once at formation. Check that the powers to represent the company are correct and that the activity codes match what the company does. Also check that the address is set up properly. The activity codes are also used for sector classifications, for example in the pension check. For the address, see the registered office rules. The UBO register is a separate register with its own access rules. See who sees what in the UBO register.

You can set up the company by power of attorney, from any country. This usually happens within one week once all documents are complete. See setting up a BV in the Netherlands from abroad.

Changes you report after registration

File changes promptly: new directors, address relocates, activity shifts. Most of these are simple online filings, and most are free. Keeping the extract accurate makes every later check easier, because banks and clients rely on it. It is the cheapest compliance habit a company has: the practical hub.

Free advice

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We help you set up your company or holding in the Netherlands, from the notary to your tax numbers. Tell us where you stand or what you are planning. You get free advice on your next step.

Part of Doing Business in the Netherlands, the complete 2026 guide.

Frequently asked questions

How fast is the KVK number available after the deed? +

Usually the same working day, or the next one. The notary files electronically, and you receive the number with the first extract. You can start the bank and tax steps right away.

Can I keep my home address off the public extract? +

Yes, with a business address. The company’s registered address is always public. Under the current rules of the register, a director’s private address is shielded. To keep your home address private, register the company at another business address. You choose that address and sign the contract yourself. See the registered office rules.

When was this last checked? +

Reviewed on 19 August 2026. The registration steps and the size of the fee are current.

Sources Belastingdienst · KVK · wetten.overheid.nl Last updated: 19 August 2026