Starting a sole proprietorship and choosing a business address
Starting your own business can be an exciting way to become your own boss. A sole proprietorship (eenmanszaak) has one owner and can employ staff. The Dutch term zzp’er describes someone who works independently without employees; it is not a legal structure. A sole proprietorship is a common choice for people starting small without major investments.
As the business grows, some owners choose to convert it into a private limited company (BV).
Before arranging your KvK registration
Before starting a sole proprietorship, review your plans and finances. You do not automatically have to leave your job: you can also run a business alongside employment. Check your arrangements with your employer and decide how much time you can devote to the business. Research demand for your product or service, competition and the turnover needed to cover your costs.
Remember that you are personally liable: business debts can also affect your personal assets. Seizure of assets is subject to legal rules and procedures.
Working from home
Starting your sole proprietorship from home can save you considerable costs because you do not need to rent office space. It also gives you maximum flexibility: you can work on your business at any time. Whether you can run your business from home depends on your activities and the rules that apply to your property.
Check your municipality’s environment plan and any conditions imposed by your landlord, mortgage provider or owners’ association (VvE). Some activities require a permit. If your business only needs a desk, a laptop and an internet connection, working from home can be practical, provided the rules allow it. Examples include consultancy or an accountancy practice. You can also run a painting or gardening business from home and rent a storage unit for materials and tools.
This is cheaper than having business premises.
The business postal address
A business needs a visiting address: the location where it is actually based. This may be your home if you work from home; a PO box cannot serve as a visiting address. You can use a separate business postal address for correspondence. If you also want to register our address as your business location, your use of the premises and your agreement must meet KvK requirements.
Discuss beforehand how you will use the address and which workspace suits your business. For a sole proprietorship, you can also request that the visiting address be hidden, as explained below.
With us, a virtual office does not mean an address alone. Real workspace is available too. If you usually work from home but occasionally want to work in an office, you can rent a flexible workspace from us. Contact us for availability and rates.
Protecting your privacy
For a sole proprietorship, you can ask the KvK to hide the visiting address even without a threat. You must register a separate public postal address that differs from both your home address and your business visiting address. A business postal address can help, but it does not automatically hide the visiting address: you must arrange this with the KvK.
Previously published address details may also remain online elsewhere or in historical records. A separate business address therefore does not guarantee that your home address can no longer be found anywhere.
Applying for a business postal address for your sole proprietorship
Are you considering applying for a postal address for your sole proprietorship with us? Our website provides all the information you need to prepare properly. This includes information about the details you must supply, which depend on your legal structure and the nature of your business. The rates and the services they include are also listed.
Include all requested documents. We process a complete application within 24 hours on working days. After approval and completion of the agreement, you can use the address as agreed. You arrange your KvK registration or address change separately.
