Search the business registry

    Netherlands business registry search

    Source-cited registry guidance — access and document fees vary by source.

    Search Company Records in Netherlands

    Free basic search · no sign-up required.

    Reviewed by LemReveal Research TeamContent reviewed June 2026Primary source: KVK

    How do I search the business registry in Netherlands?

    Use KVK as a starting source for Netherlands, then check its scope for the business form you need. Types can include BV (Besloten vennootschap), NV (Naamloze vennootschap). A trading name may need a separate source or document; it does not automatically identify a legal entity. Official access requirements vary.

    Step-by-step

    1. 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. 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. 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. 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.

    Open KVKAll Netherlands records

    Netherlands: choosing and checking the right record

    Choose the correct source
    Search the KVK Handelsregister for the business, then determine whether you are viewing the main registration or an establishment. Select the official extract when the task requires representation details not available in a basic result.
    Confirm the entity
    Keep the KVK number separate from a branch/establishment number and a VAT identifier. Compare legal and trade names against the actual contracting party.

    Check current access and document options on the official KVK (Kamer van Koophandel) site. For search limitations and missing-result guidance, see the Netherlands registry guide.

    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?

    Some sources index trading names; others require the legal name or a separate business-name search. Ask for the contracting entity's legal name and identifier when the relationship is unclear.

    Is a business registry search free in Netherlands?

    LemReveal's basic lookup is free where supported. Official searches, records and documents have their own access conditions; check KVK's current terms.

    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

    Netherlands data