Is it allowed?
In most cases, yes. Running a quiet, office-type business from home (consulting, design, online work) is generally fine. Problems arise mainly with activities that cause nuisance, customer traffic or storage of goods, which can clash with local zoning rules ("bestemmingsplan") or rental or owners-association agreements.
Check three things
- Zoning: the municipality's plan may restrict commercial use of a home.
- Rental contract: tenants should check whether business use is allowed.
- Owners association (VvE): in an apartment, the VvE rules may apply.
Your KVK address
You register a business address at the KVK. For a home business this is often your home address, which then becomes publicly visible in the trade register. If privacy matters, consider an alternative registered address.
What you can deduct
Home-office deductions for sole traders are limited. A genuinely independent workspace, with its own entrance and facilities, can sometimes qualify, while an ordinary room in your home usually falls outside. Costs directly tied to the business (a dedicated phone line, business internet, specific equipment) are easier to deduct.
Practical separation
Even at home, keep business and private separate: a dedicated bank account, a clear workspace, and tidy records. It makes your admin and tax return far simpler.
The neighbouring questions
Three pages sit directly alongside this one: Running a Business as a Student in the Netherlands, Running a Business Alongside a Job in the Netherlands and Starting a Business from a Bbz Benefit in the Netherlands.