Analysis of new business registrations during 2024 in The Netherlands

Updated on 18 December 2024

The Netherlands is seeing a very stable increase of new businesses that are registered with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce. There are many factors that influence this growth, such as growing industries, collaboration between different sectors and also newly emerging industries that are gaining influence rapidly. At Intercompany Solutions, we are specialized in Dutch business establishment, specifically for foreign investors and entrepreneurs.

If you would like to start a business in one of the most successful and influential European Union (EU) member states, or expand your current business internationally, we can assist you during every step of the way.

Our team of experts can start your business in The Netherlands in only a few business days, making it possible for you to start doing business almost immediately. We can also help you out with a variety of other services, such as professional advice, taking care of extra tasks such as applying for permits, helping you with your administration and tax returns and opening a Dutch bank account, for example.

We strive to offer foreign entrepreneurs the same opportunities that Dutch citizens have at their fingertips, by providing you with the possibility to benefit from the stable and welcoming Dutch economy. Would you like to know more? Let us know what you are looking for, and we will happily assist you along the way.

Why register a business in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands has been known as a stable and innovative trade country for centuries. The Dutch have always been very apt at growing and keeping international relationships, innovating within every possible industry and interdisciplinary collaboration. Next to that, the country is very welcoming towards foreigners establishing a business here, since this only fuels the drive towards collaboration and innovation.

The country is also an EU member state and, thus, provides you with direct access to the European Single Market from a very strategically positioned location. As such, the amount of new companies in the Netherlands keeps increasing, showing that the country never truly stands still, but keeps pushing forwards towards success, achievement and active collaboration.

In this article, we will dive deeper into the statistics behind the number of established companies in the Netherlands, and how you can become a part of these statistics.

Some recent information in a nutshell

In 2024, the Netherlands has seen a significant number of new business registrations, maintaining its reputation as a business-friendly hub in Europe. The general trend shows that business registrations in the country have remained rather steady with a slight increase, which is nonetheless smaller than the increase in 2023. In particular, the Netherlands continues to attract foreign entrepreneurs, with many starting new ventures in sectors like digital innovation, logistics, and sustainable technologies​.

A notable aspect of these new registrations is the continuing influx of international businesses. Foreign companies are particularly drawn to the Netherlands due to its favorable tax environment, access to the European Single Market, and its strong infrastructure for logistics and digital industries​.

The country also offers attractive incentives for foreign investors, including tax advantages for companies involved in research and development​. However, it's important to note that numerous foreign entrepreneurs are also establishing businesses remotely or through online services, leveraging the ease of starting a business in the Netherlands​. For specific numbers and more detailed insights, we have consulted data from the Dutch Central Bureau of Statistics and the Dutch Chamber of Commerce for official statistics on business registrations this year.

The most relevant data and trends in 2024

During the first quarter of 2023, there were a total of 2,307,840 registered businesses in the Netherlands. By far, the largest number of companies were single person businesses, which may be sole proprietorships but also Dutch BV’s.

The number of companies that consists of only one person in the first quarter of 2023 was 1,877,990.

• There were 357,870 companies with 2-10 employees, including the director.
• There were 56,605 companies with 10-50 employees,
• 12,105 companies with 50-250 employees,
• 1,845 companies with 250-500 employees,
• 950 companies with 500-1000 employees and
• 475 companies with more than 1000 employees.

First quarter	1,877,990	357,870	56,605	12,105	1,845	950	475
Second quarter	1,889,860	355,090	55,925	12,060	1,865	955	475
Third quarter	1,914,850	355,670	55,905	12,090	1,855	965	480
Fourth quarter	1,930,290	356,625	56,640	12,140	1,845	965	495

In the last quarter of 2023, the total amount of registered companies in the Netherlands had risen to 2,359,000. This amounts to an increase of 2.22%, which is lower than in 2023, when the number of established companies in the Netherlands amounted to an increase of 5.2%.

The number of one person companies rose to 1,930,290, which is a slightly larger increase of 2.78%, although this percentage was much higher in 2023: 8.61%. Respectively, the amount of companies with 2-10 employees decreased to 356,625, the amount of companies with 10-50 employees increased to 56,640, the amount of companies with 100-250 employees rose to 12,140, the amount of businesses with 250-500 employees stayed the same, namely 1,845, the amount of companies with 500-1000 employees increased to 965 and last (but not least), the number of companies with more than 1000 employees increased to 495. As you can see, this last category increased more compared to the other categories, as companies with more than 1000 employees increased with 4.21%.

The number of companies according to business type and region of registration

During the last quarter of 2024, the amount of companies sorted by legal form looks as follows:

• Sole proprietorship 1,632,915
• Private LL company (BV) 458,575
• General partnership 172,295
• Other legal entities 48,710
• Partnership, collaboration 32,710
• Limited partnership 6,795
• Other or unknown 7,330

As could be expected, the largest amount of companies are based in the 4 largest cities and their surrounding regions. The largest number of companies is based in Amsterdam. Rotterdam ranks 2^nd, the Utrecht area ranks 3^rd and The Hague and its circumvent region ranks 4^th. This is no surprise, as it makes total sense that most entrepreneurs want to establish their businesses in a well-known location. This adds to their degree of professionalism and trustworthiness.

Bankruptcies

The amount of bankruptcies in 2024 has been measured until October and is as follows:

• 2024 January 363
• 2024 February 291
• 2024 March 272
• 2024 April 353
• 2024 May 288
• 2024 June 315
• 2024 July 403
• 2024 August 269
• 2024 September 296
• 2024 October 329

Up until October, this entails a total amount of 3,179 bankruptcies, with an average of 317.9 bankruptcies per month. So the total amount in 2024 should be somewhere around 3,815.

General profile of entrepreneurs in the Netherlands

So is there a general view regarding the ‘average’ entrepreneur in the Netherlands? What does such a person look like? In general, entrepreneurs are 45 years old on average. Starting entrepreneurs are on average 34 years old, which is a lot younger. This makes sense, though, as most established entrepreneurs need around a decade to fully achieve success. Or not; depending on their motivation, ideas and goals.

A relatively large number of entrepreneurs live in North Holland. In that province, the number of entrepreneurs per 1000 inhabitants is no less than 142. Utrecht also does well when it comes to the number of companies: around 125 per 1000 inhabitants. More than one-third of all entrepreneurs in the Netherlands are women. This percentage has increased slightly in recent years. In 2013, the percentage of female entrepreneurs was 33.7%. In 2024, this has already grown to 37%. Sectors in which these female entrepreneurs are well represented are, for example, personal services (85%) and health (72%).

Birthplace of entrepreneurs

In 2024, the total number of entrepreneurs with a place of birth outside the Netherlands will have risen to around 19%. In 2023, this was still 18%. There are many entrepreneurs with a country of birth other than the Netherlands, especially in logistics (34%), construction (30%) and hospitality (31%). We will elaborate on the amount of foreign entrepreneurs in another article in the very near future, to see how these are distributed in the Netherlands and what this means for your potential success as an entrepreneur in the Netherlands.

Particular details that stand out during recent years

There are some general advancements and trends that stand out regarding Dutch company establishment. Regarding entrepreneurship in general, there has been a noticeable rise in freelancers (known as "Zzp'ers") and sole proprietors in the Netherlands, driven by the flexibility and independence they can offer. However, starting a business requires navigating official registration processes with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (KVK) and the Dutch tax authorities. Freelancers, for instance, often register as an "eenmanszaak" (sole proprietorship), which is relatively simple, but they must still adhere to tax and VAT rules​. 

Another key trend in business is the increasing focus on sustainability. Entrepreneurs are looking to create businesses that not only make a substantial profit, but also address environmental concerns. This includes integrating eco-friendly practices, such as renewable energy solutions and sustainable products​. There seems to be a notable rise in (environmentally) aware individuals who don’t want to just make money and become rich, but do it in a correct and sustainable way as well, balancing taking and giving back equally. This is a positive trend, as it also balances out the need to compete with every other company and puts the focus more on collaboration and interdisciplinary opportunities, which can enrich every sector and market instantly.

Additionally, there is a strong rise in digital and remote work. Many Dutch businesses have embraced hybrid or fully remote work models, which reflects broader global trends accelerated by the pandemic. This has allowed entrepreneurs to reach a wider range of clients and employees​ and shortens commute times, which only benefits productivity even further. The whole world is now accessible digitally, and many entrepreneurs are happily taking advantage of this trend. This is also why there is an increase of online businesses notable. Working from abroad also is possible now, so you can very easily set up a Dutch business that you manage entirely remotely from your country of origin, or the country you are currently residing in. This opens up a whole range of new opportunities for entrepreneurship in general and makes it more accessible to a wider audience, making it possible for people to become financially independent easier than in previous decades.

Tech and Innovation is also continuously on the rise. The technology sector grows steadily, particularly in topics such as AI, data analytics, and digital marketing. The Netherlands has been at the forefront of integrating these technologies into everyday business practices​. If you're considering launching a business or adjusting your strategies, these areas are particularly notable in the Dutch market for 2024 and beyond. This highlights both the vitality and the challenges of the Dutch entrepreneurial ecosystem, with changes influenced by various factors like economic conditions and demographic trends. For more detailed insights, feel free to contact Intercompany Solutions anytime for more personalized data and information.

Some of the top sectors of new Dutch business establishment in 2024

In 2024, the top industries for newly established companies in the Netherlands were diverse, with a significant focus on sectors related to sustainability, digital transformation, and innovation. According to data, the most active sectors included some of the most demanding industries right now. We will outline 10 of these sectors below.

ICT (Information and Communication Technology)

This sector showed substantial growth, reflecting the increasing demand for digital services and technological infrastructure. Since the world is digitalizing in a very fast tempo, the ICT sector is continually growing and expanding to other sectors as well. The more digitalized a society becomes, the more need there is for ICT, so this a very natural progression. 

High-tech systems and materials

A leading area, especially in manufacturing and advanced technologies. As with ICT, digitalization plays a large role in the further development and growth of this sector. Many tasks and jobs will be machinated in the (near) future, so this sector is sure to experience more growth in the coming years.

Energy 

Driven by sustainability efforts, renewable energy companies continued to grow. The energy sector is high on the agenda of many countries and industries. The possibility of harvesting clean and sustainable energy is on the top of the list. As such, if you have any ambitions in this regard, you can possibly achieve substantial success with a company based in the Netherlands.

Life sciences and health

With ongoing investments in healthcare innovation, especially post-pandemic, this sector is booming as well. Questions that are rising about public health fuel this particular sector. The focus is leaning more towards prevention than the suppression of symptoms. Health is a worldwide topic and the Netherlands are on the forefront of many interesting discoveries.

Agrifood

Focused on sustainable food production, including plant-based alternatives and smart farming. The agrifood sector has seen many changes during the past decades and sustainability keeps being a core ambition, to pull this sector together in general. Ecological and smart farming are some of the current hot topics, including both plant- and meat-based industries.

Cybersecurity

With the rise of digital transformation, protecting data and systems became more crucial, leading to growth in this field​. Personal and corporation data needs to be secure, in order to prevent breaches in any possible way. If you are apt in cybersecurity, this sector might prove to be fruitful for your possible future Dutch business endeavors. 

Finance and insurance

This sector showed strong growth, with new businesses focused on both traditional financial services and newer fintech innovations, such as digital banking and cryptocurrency services​. Due to the rise of alternative currencies, this sector will only grow in the coming years. New regulations such as Mica also put the proverbial fuel to the fire, since markets needs to be properly regulated, but within an honest and transparent framework.

Creative industries

Covering industries such as design, media, and entertainment, the creative sector reflects a growing demand for innovative content creation, digital art, and gaming industries​. Working is important, but people need art and beautiful things too. This has been the way for centuries, so you can rest assured this sector will stay stable and even increase over the years. Creativity will always be in high demand.

Construction and real estate

With the Dutch housing market in a state of constant flux, many new companies have emerged in both construction and real estate management, including sustainable housing projects​. The housing shortage in the Netherlands is palpable, mostly due to the extremely small amount of land the country has. If you have any innovative ideas to offer regarding this topic, your ideas are more than welcome here.

Retail and wholesale

The rise of e-commerce and the digitalization of the retail space has driven growth, especially with companies focusing on online shopping platforms and consumer goods​. International trade is higher than ever before, so stepping in right now is still a solid move. You don’t even need to be present in the Netherlands to acquire wealth via this industry, which is ideal for foreign entrepreneurs.

These sectors reflect a diverse and evolving Dutch entrepreneurial landscape, with many businesses emerging from the digital, green, and high-tech sectors. These industries indicate strong demand for digital solutions, sustainability-driven businesses, and innovation hubs, contributing to a rapidly changing entrepreneurial landscape in the Netherlands in 2024 and beyond. If you have any innovative ideas within one of these sectors, feel free to run them by us. We can tell you directly whether your ideas have any chances of success and help you establish a Dutch company immediately, if they do.

Sectors that could grow even further in the coming years

Looking ahead to 2025, several sectors in the Netherlands are expected to experience significant growth in terms of new business establishments, driven by evolving economic trends, technological advancements, and societal shifts. These are some key areas to watch, which we will list below for your convenience. This will also allow you a peek into a possible future for you and your company in the Netherlands.

Green tech and sustainability

Given the Netherlands' commitment to sustainability and climate action, businesses in renewable energy, circular economy, sustainable construction, and eco-friendly product manufacturing are expected to grow. The push for carbon neutrality and energy transition presents opportunities, particularly in fields such as solar energy, wind energy, and electric vehicles​.

Cybersecurity​ and digital payments

The continued digitization of financial services is also fueling the growth of fintech startups in the Netherlands. Companies focusing on blockchain technology, digital wallets, peer-to-peer lending, and decentralized finance (DeFi) are set to expand, especially with the rising interest in cryptocurrency and blockchain-based solutions.

Digital services

The online shopping boom shows no signs of slowing down; on the contrary. Retail businesses, especially those in e-commerce platforms, direct-to-consumer models, and delivery services, will continue to thrive. Moreover, businesses offering logistics, last-mile delivery, and e-commerce software solutions are likely to see substantial growth​. Since people are looking more towards convenience in shopping, this is a relatively predictable trend.

Healthcare

With the rise of telemedicine, digital health, and biotechnology, this sector is expected to experience growth in the coming years. Healthcare startups are leveraging AI for diagnostics, personalized medicine, and health management systems are on the rise as well. Technology and healthcare will become more intertwined every single year, making it possible for specialists in the field to continually look for more innovative and better working concepts and cures for diseases.

AI and machinal transformation 

As AI and machinal transformation accelerates across industries, the need for strong cybersecurity solutions becomes more critical. Startups focusing on data protection, secure communications, and cloud security are likely to thrive. Next to that, the use of AI and machine learning technologies continues to expand across various sectors such as automation, business analytics, healthcare, and logistics. Startups focusing on AI-driven solutions for productivity, customer service, and data analysis are expected to grow.

Education Technology (EdTech)

The invention of technological education tools, digital learning platforms, and professional development resources will likely fuel the growth of EdTech startups. Particularly in areas like coding boot camps, language learning, and workforce reskilling. But also in children’s schools, as tech and old-fashioned education is becoming more and more intertwined.

Tourism and leisure

After the pandemic, businesses in tourism, hospitality, and leisure services are expected to recover even more and thrive exponentially. There’s also increasing interest in sustainable travel and local tourism initiatives, which makes people feel better about their leisure activities and travel arrangements. Leisure becomes important when people work hard every day, so expect this sector to boom during the next decade.

Agritech and food innovation

With a global focus on sustainable food, Dutch agritech businesses are innovating in interesting concepts such as vertical farming, ecological and organic farming, plant-based proteins, and food waste reduction. So these topics are likely to experience growth. The Netherlands is already a leader in agricultural innovation, and these trends are expected to continue.

Remote work solutions and coworking spaces

The shift to remote and hybrid working possibilities is palpable. This is mainly to create opportunities for businesses in remote collaboration tools, coworking space development, and virtual team-building services. For you, as a possible foreign entrepreneur that might invest in the Netherlands, this is especially important, since it creates opportunities to work entirely remotely, but successfully.

These sectors are poised for expansion, as both local and global trends influence doing business in the Netherlands after 2024. As industries continue to adapt to new challenges and technologies, entrepreneurs can seize opportunities across these growing markets. If you would like to know more about your options in any particular industry, feel free to contact us anytime for more information and personalized advice.

Are you interested in starting a Dutch business?

As you can see, there are ample possibilities when considering starting a Dutch business. If you ever felt like you would want to expand to a different country, the Netherlands might seriously be one of your best bets. The country always has been known for its famous international trading capabilities, its stable business climate, the degree of innovation it's capable of and the way the Netherlands holds collaboration in various fields in very high esteem. Foreign entrepreneurs are fully welcomed to share their views, ideals, dreams and ambitions, provided these are in line with the general trends at this point in time. These trends are not solely focused on maximum profit, but more on maximum profit for all. Doing business should not just be about making money, but more so to contributing to society as a whole. If you feel you are up to this task, you are welcome to contact us anytime to help you establish your new Dutch business.

The process of Dutch business registration

We have streamlined our Dutch company establishment process over the past few years, after successfully setting up businesses for thousands of foreign entrepreneurs. If you are serious about starting a Dutch company in any particular industry, you can do this entirely remotely if you don’t have the opportunity to actually visit the Netherlands. If you can provide us with a power of attorney, we can go through the whole process on your behalf. All we will need from you is some basic information and documents, which generally include the following:

• All names of future shareholders
• A valid form of identification
• A preferred company name that’s unique
• A valid business registration address in the Netherlands

Depending on the company type you want to establish, we will either go to the Dutch Chamber of Commerce directly (this is the case when you want to establish a company that isn’t a legal entity, such as a sole proprietorship), or have to go to a notary to incorporate your business beforehand. Since almost all of our clients choose the Dutch BV, the notary part is necessary. After the deed of incorporation has been created, you deposit the necessary required share capital, and we can register your newly founded company in the trade register. You then immediately receive your registration and VAT number and can start doing business in the Netherlands.

The services that we can offer you

Intercompany Solutions has assisted hundreds of foreign entrepreneurs from over 50 different nationalities. Our clients range from small one-person startups to multinational corporations, and everything in between. Our processes are aimed at foreign entrepreneurs and, as such, we know the most practical ways to assist with your company registration. We can assist with the full package of company registration in the Netherlands:

• Company establishment in the Netherlands
• Opening of a local bank account
• Application for VAT or EORI number
• Application for a variety of permits
• Application for a visa or start-up permit
• Startup assistance
• Financial services
• Administrative services
• Secretarial services
• Legal assistance
• Tax and financial services
• Media
• General business advice

We are constantly improving our quality standards to continually deliver impeccable services. 

How can we assist you in starting your Dutch business?

The amount of registered businesses in the Netherlands keeps growing steadily, as you can see. There are many interesting opportunities for foreign investors and entrepreneurs, provided you have a solid idea about what you want and how you want to achieve your ambitions. If you want to set up a Dutch business, expand your current business or otherwise invest in something profitable, we can assist you with that. We can also take care of many other things for you on your behalf, such as opening a bank account, taking care of your tax returns and provide you with legal and financial advice. Our rates are always discussed clearly before we start to work for you and are highly competitive. Feel free to contact us whenever you have any questions about our services, or the opportunities we can offer you and your (future) business.

Sources

• https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/visualisaties/dashboard-economie/bedrijven#A-U
• https://www.cbs.nl/nl-nl/nieuws/2023/06/aantal-bedrijven-blijft-toenemen
• https://www.staatvanhetmkb.nl/nieuws/23-miljoen-bedrijven-in-nederland
• https://www.mkbservicedesk.nl/sales-marketing/marktonderzoek/informatie-over-het-mkb-midden-en-kleinbedrijf-in-nederland