THE TRADE REGISTER (Handelsregister)

The Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel) maintains a register of companies in the Netherlands. This is referred to as the Trade Register (Handelsregister). Businesses moving to or being set up in Rotterdam are required to register with the Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce.

To register a company, consider the following:

1.    When should I register?

Registration of the company should occur within a period of one week preceding and one week following the commencement of business activities.

2.    Where should I register?

Registration should take place at the Rotterdam Chamber of Commerce. If you live in the Netherlands you have to register in person. If you live abroad, the registration can be done by post.

Before you register, you will have to contact the Chamber of Commerce so that they can send you the forms you will need to complete. The registration forms must be completed in Dutch. The Chamber of Commerce does have sample forms in English.

Contact details: www.kvk.nl/english/aboutus

3.    Who may register on behalf of a company?
The following persons may register the company with the trade register:

• The owner of the company;
• partners of the VOF (partnership) or managing partners of the CV (limited partnership);
• the managers of the legal entity;
• if none of the above are resident in the Netherlands, the person who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the company in the Netherlands.;
• If none of the above is available, someone who has been given written power of attorney in the Netherlands can register the company.

The following documents will be needed when registering:

• Trade Register forms (depending on the type of company).
• Recent proof of registration of the legal form in the country of origin. 
• An original or certified copy of the deed of incorporation of the legal entity. 
• Original or certified copies of the articles of association if these are incorporated in a separate deed. 
• A written power of attorney in Dutch with the original signatures of the persons authorized to give the power of attorney.
• If necessary, details of the registered office and equity.

If registering from abroad, you have to send a certified copy of these documents.