What is the Dutch Commercial Register (Handelsregister)?

Dutch term: Handelsregister / KvK | Legal basis: Handelsregisterwet 2007

The Dutch Commercial Register (Handelsregister) is maintained by the Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel, KvK) and contains registration data for all companies, legal entities, partnerships and branches operating in the Netherlands. Registration is mandatory and the register is publicly accessible.

The register contains the company's name, legal form, registered office, directors, authorised representatives, share capital (for B.V.'s and N.V.'s), and filing status for annual accounts. Third parties can rely on the register: information that is registered is deemed known to the public, and information that is not registered cannot be invoked against third parties who were unaware of it.

Why it matters for international businesses

For international counterparties, checking the KvK extract of a Dutch company before entering into a contract is standard due diligence. It confirms the company's existence, its directors' authority, and whether annual accounts are filed on time.