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Entrepreneur
More and more people in the Netherlands work as self-employed. The synomyns for being self-employed in the Netherlands are Freelance or ZZP (zelfstandig zonder personeel or self-employed without staff).
You made a decision to work for yourself. What do you need to know about starting up your own company?
When you set up your own business you have to deal with a number of issues which are relevant for every new starter.
You made a decision to work for yourself. What do you need to know about starting up your own company?
When you set up your own business you have to deal with a number of issues which are relevant for every new starter.
Legal form
There are various legal forms for company within the Netherlands. The Dutch legal system provides a framework with different options:
- Sole trader (ZZP)
- Limited partnership
- Partnership under common firm (VOF)
- The partnership
- Private limited liability company (BV)
- Foundation
- Association
- Branch office
Insurance
Anyone starting up a new business takes risks. To some extent, you can insure against these risks. Think about which risks you wish to run and which insurances you wish to take out. In the case of small risks it may be more cost-efficient to put some money aside than take out an expensive insurance policy.
As an entrepreneur you will be dealing with two kinds of insurance:
- Personal insurance(such as health insurance and household contents insurance)
- Business insurance(such as insurance of inventory and stock).
- Insurance companies make a distinction in this respect. For example, the third party liability insurance which you have as a private individual does not apply in the context of your business activities.
Read about Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Company's administration
Company's administration includes all the electronic or paperwork. You are obliged by law to record anything with financial implications for your business in a systematic administration. It is important for yourself to keep a proper financial administration. It gives you a wealth of business information and insight into how your company is progressing. All information which you record on paper or electronically such as: cashbook administration and receipts; sales and purchases book; invoices received and copies of invoices sent; bank statements; contracts, agreements and other such documents; software and databases. All the administration should be kept for at least 7 years.
Chamber of Commerce Registration
You have to register your business in the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce (KVK). The enteries in the trade register are open to review by the public. After having registered at KVK you will get automatically the BTW number from the tax office (belastingdienst). Read more about Chamber of Commerce (KVK) registration
Location
When choosing a location for your business you need to take in to consideration a number of things:.
- Residents: For retailers is the population in the area and their spending is important.
- Status: Some industries are sensitive to status. A broker that focuses on individual villas will not settle in such a business center.
- Permits: You have an environmental or planning permission
- Competition: Which competitors are there now and in the near future? Is that harmful or does it strengthen your position in the market.
- Government Rates: What are the costs of municipal property taxes? Are sufferance rights such as taxes for the display of goods for your shop or putting up a billboard? Are there enough opportunities for your building or business expansion?
- Accessibility: How is the location and access? Are there good access and exit roads? There is ample parking and public transport?
- Environment
- Labour market: There are available professionals willing to work in this location?
- Growth: Is expansion possible? Property offers enough space for any Staff?
- Grants: there are local or regional aid schemes from which you can benefit?
- Traffic and pedestrians: For some companies, such as snack bars and kiosks, and resourants the number of pedestrians is important.
- Safety
Read more about choosing location
Financing
There are several ways of financing your business.
- Own financial means
- Borrowing ('durfkapitaal', starters credit,spaarloon)
- Gift
Read more about ways of financing your business
Taxation
As a self-employed entrepreneur you are yourself responsible for the correct declaration of taxes. Read more aboutwhich taxes you are required to pay as enterpreneur and what areyour options for deductions and exemptions:
- Value added tax
- Income tax
- Corporation tax
Personnel
Your company is growing. It’s time to expand and hire new personnel. When you hire new staff you become a manager. Having people on your payroll is not cheap. Put some things in a row if you are considering taking on personnel.
Setting up a business manual
Download here Setting up a business from Holland gateway
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