Practical information

On this page you will find sector information, links to information about doing business in the Netherlands, national and regional subsidy and financing possibilities. 

Useful links to practical information

There is a lot of reliable information online about doing business in the Netherlands. Important overviews:

• The Dutch government provides an English-language guide to doing business in the Netherlands: Business.gov.nl(externe link).
• The Chamber of Commerce(externe link) is responsible for the official companies register, but also provides information, advice and support for business owners.
• The Netherlands Enterprise Agency(externe link) stimulates entrepreneurs in sustainable, agricultural, innovative and international business, through a number of programmes and grants schemes.
• The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency(externe link) offers extensive services to companies establishing or expanding operations in the Netherlands, and provides a valuable database of downloadable resources(externe link) on their website.

Specific topics

Some topics of specific interest for international companies:

• This step-by-step-guide(externe link) by the Dutch government provides information about the procedures for hiring employees, including payroll and contracts.
• Highly skilled migrants can follow a simplified procedure for acquiring work and residence permits(externe link).
• Find out more about company taxes on the page of the tax services (belastingdienst)(externe link).
• The 30% tax ruling(externe link) can give an extra incentive for internationals to come and work in the Netherlands.

Subsidies and financing:

Financing programs at the national level:

• Here is the Dutch government information on financing and overview of national subsidies for businesses(externe link).
• The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency(externe link) also provides an overview of incentives and information about the fiscal climate for international businesses.
• The Netherlands Enterprise Agency(externe link) stimulates entrepreneurs in sustainable, agricultural, innovative and international business. It runs a number of programmes and has different grant schemes available to support various business initiatives. 

Regional level subsidies, financing and development support:

• Oost NL(externe link) supports (international) entrepreneurs throughout the entire process of establishing businesses and fostering growth in our region.
• Kennispoort Regio Zwolle(externe link) helps free of charge in developing ideas, contacts with other entrepreneurs and students and financing options.
• The Subsidy program Human Capital Agenda Ontwikkelfonds Regio Zwolle(externe link) focuses on investing in people. It offers help and financial support.
• Expat Center East-Netherlands(externe link) is here to assist expats living and working in the east of the Netherlands.
• The subsidy desk of the province of Overijssel(externe link) provides an overview of regional and European subsidy options.