Conditions for starting your own business in the Netherlands

Last updated: 02/04/2025, 19:16

Do you fall under the Temporary Protection Directive? Then it is very difficult to start your own business in the Netherlands. Read what the rules are in this article.

There are several ways you can do business in the Netherlands

There are several ways to run your own business:

You can work as an independent contractor.

Someone who does this is also called a self-employed person without staff (zelfstandige zonder personeel, ZZP'er). As a ZZP'er, you work for various clients without a permanent contract.

You can start your own business

When you start your own business, you are the boss and have the responsibility to take care of everything. That means making arrangements and money matters. Do you want to hire staff? Then you also have responsibility for your staff.

You must meet these requirements to be allowed to do business

Have you fled Ukraine and want to work as a business owner or start a business? Then you must meet these conditions:

You will need a
work permit (TWV)
from the
UWV
You will need a
proof of residence
You will need a
citizen service number (BSN)
You will need a
DigiD

It is almost impossible for a Ukrainian business owner to also become self-employed in the Netherlands

It is almost impossible to work as a self-employed person without staff (ZZP-er) in the Netherlands if the TPD applies to you. You will then need a work permit (TWV) which the

UWV

almost never gives. Working as a self-employed person without a work permit puts you at risk of high fines.

The UWV rejects 99 percent of applications for work permits for business owners from Ukraine. This is due to strict European regulations. If you want to do work as a self-employed person that does not require training, the UWV will not give you a work permit. This is then work that anyone can do.

If you do work that requires special training, you may be able to get a work permit as a self-employed person. Your client or customer will then have to reapply to the UWV for a work permit for each assignment. It may take five weeks before a decision is made.

The Dutch labour inspectorate checks regularly and can impose fines if you do not follow the rules.

Please note that registering your own company with the

Dutch Chamber of Commerce

is not a problem. For this, all you need is to be

registered in the Dutch population register (BRP)

. You will not have to show a work permit yet. However, a work permit is required to carry out assignments.