Getting started as an independent cleaner: KVK, VAT and insurance
The key steps to getting started legally and well-prepared.
Registering with the KVK
To be allowed to invoice as an independent contractor (zzp'er), you register once with the Kamer van Koophandel (Dutch Chamber of Commerce) as a sole proprietorship. This costs a one-time fee and can generally be arranged in a single appointment. After registering you receive a KVK number and automatically a VAT number too.
VAT and the small businesses scheme (KOR)
As an independent contractor you're generally liable for VAT, but if your turnover stays under the threshold of the kleineondernemersregeling (KOR, the small businesses scheme), you can opt for an exemption: you then charge no VAT to customers and don't need to file VAT returns either. For many cleaners with mostly private customers this is a practical choice, though it's still worth checking with the Belastingdienst for your own situation.
Insurance to consider
As an independent contractor you don't build up the automatic protections an employee has. Liability insurance covers damage you accidentally cause while cleaning at a customer's home. Disability insurance (AOV) isn't mandatory, but is worth seriously considering: as an independent contractor you don't get continued pay from an employer if you fall ill.
Simple bookkeeping from day one
Keep track of invoices, hours worked and expenses from the start, even if it's still just a few customers. This saves sorting-out work at your annual tax return and also gives you a clear picture of what you're actually keeping.
Finding customers once you're ready to start
Once your KVK registration is complete, you can create a profile and become visible to customers in your area. Verifying your email, phone and identity means customers see you as trustworthy from the start, even before you have any reviews.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a KVK registration to work as a cleaner?
To invoice as an independent contractor, yes. If you instead work in a direct employment relationship with an individual, different rules apply, such as the Domestic Services Scheme.
Do I need to charge VAT to my customers?
That depends on whether you use the small businesses scheme (KOR). If you qualify and have opted in, you charge no VAT. Outside the KOR, you generally do charge VAT.
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