New to doing business in the Netherlands?
Plain-language guides to KVK registration, VAT, expenses, income tax and invoicing — written for first-time and international entrepreneurs in the Netherlands.
How to register as a ZZP'er (freelancer) in the Netherlands
Step by step: KVK appointment, the paperwork you need, your VAT numbers, and what happens in the first weeks after registering.
7 min readWhat is BTW? Dutch VAT explained
The 21%, 9% and 0% rates, input VAT, reverse charge, and why the VAT you collect is never your money.
6 min readZZP (eenmanszaak) or BV? The difference explained
Liability, tax treatment, costs and the profit level where switching to a BV starts to make sense.
7 min readDutch business expenses explained
What you can deduct, what is only partly deductible, what is never deductible, and how mixed private-business costs work.
7 min readIncome tax for freelancers in the Netherlands
From revenue to the amount you actually owe: deductions, the SME exemption, the box 1 brackets, credits and the ZVW contribution.
8 min readThe quarterly VAT return: a practical guide
Deadlines, what goes in each box, the ICP declaration, the KOR, and what to do if you cannot pay.
6 min readInvoice requirements in the Netherlands
Every element a Dutch invoice must contain, numbering rules, reverse-charge wording and how long to keep them.
5 min readOpening a Dutch business bank account
Whether you legally need one, what banks ask for, how long it takes, and what to do while you wait.
5 min read
Dutch tax terms in plain language
A plain-language glossary of the Dutch tax and bookkeeping terms you meet as an entrepreneur — from VAT to the SME profit exemption. Written for newcomers and expats.
Read the full explanationThese explanations are simplified for clarity and are not tax advice. Rules change; check with the Belastingdienst or ask Ardel for a review.