Netherlands business registry search
Free, official, source-cited — updated 2026-06.
Search Company Records in Netherlands
3 free lookups per day. No sign-up required.
How do I search the business registry in Netherlands?
The Netherlands business registry is operated by KVK. It covers BV (Besloten vennootschap), NV (Naamloze vennootschap). Search by business name to find the registered entity behind a trading name — free, no signup.
Step-by-step
- 1
Search the trading name you were given
Start with the name on the invoice, website or contract. It is often a trading name rather than the registered legal name.
- 2
Identify the legal entity behind it
KVK records the legal entity. Matching a trading name to its registered entity is the whole point of a registry search — the two are frequently different.
- 3
Check the entity type
Netherlands recognises BV (Besloten vennootschap), NV (Naamloze vennootschap). Entity type determines liability and who is legally responsible, so it matters before you contract.
- 4
Note what the registry does not cover
Sole traders and unregistered activity may not appear at all. An absent record is not automatically proof of fraud — it can simply mean the business is not required to register.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Netherlands business registry cover?
KVK records BV (Besloten vennootschap), NV (Naamloze vennootschap). Businesses that are not legally required to register — commonly small sole traders — may not appear.
Can I search the Netherlands business registry by trading name?
Yes, and that is usually the practical starting point. The registry will link the name to the registered legal entity where the two differ.
Is a business registry search free in Netherlands?
Yes. Name search and the public entry on KVK are free. Only certified documents are chargeable.
What if a Netherlands business has no registry entry?
It may not be required to register, or it may be trading under a different legal name. Ask for the registration number directly before assuming either.
What is a KVK number?
KVK number is an 8-digit unique identifier assigned to every business registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. It's the primary way to identify and verify Dutch businesses.
People also ask about search the business registry in Netherlands
The exact questions searchers type into Google — answered from the primary source.
Is the Netherlands company register free to search?
Yes. Basic company lookups on the KVK (Kamer van Koophandel) are free — you can search by company name or registration number, view legal status, registered address and (usually) directors at no cost. Some jurisdictions charge a small fee only for downloading full filed documents.
What is the official Netherlands business registry?
The KVK (Kamer van Koophandel) is the official public register of companies incorporated in Netherlands. It is operated by the government and is the primary source cited on this page — https://www.kvk.nl.
Related guides and tools
More Netherlands guides
- Search companies by name
Find any registered company from a partial name — free, no signup.
- Search the company register
What the official register holds, and how to search it free.
- Find the right entity
Tell apart several entities registered under near-identical names.
- Look up a company by number
Search by the official identifier — exactly one entity, every time.
Netherlands data
- Netherlands company search
Search every KVK (Kamer van Koophandel) record.
- KVK guide
Kamer van Koophandel