Open an Online Shop in the Netherlands

Nowadays, young enterprisers find it easier to set up online shops rather than traditional ones and this trend is followed by Dutch residents too. Among the advantages of starting an online shop in the Netherlands are:

• -          the Netherlands has one of the best Internet connections in the world;
• -          most of the Dutch citizens speak English, therefore the language barrier is almost non-existent;
• -          Amsterdam is considered Europe’s Silicon Valley in terms of online startups;
• -          the country’s location is perfect to shipping goods all over the world.

Foreign investors interested in starting an online store can be assisted by our Dutch company formation advisors when it comes to the registration of the company with the Trade Register.

Creating the web platform for an online shop in the Netherlands

The first step to open an online store in the Netherlands is to register a company with the Trade Register. This implies selecting a business form and preparing the incorporation documents just like in the case of any other traditional business. The additional steps are represented by choosing a domain name, buying and registering it with the Foundation for Internet Domain Registration in the Netherlands. The creation of a website is also necessary when opening a Dutch online shop. Setting up a merchant account for customers to be able to pay for the goods they purchased is also recommended.

Once these steps are completed, the business owner must comply with certain regulations related to having a website in the Netherlands.

Regulations for online stores in the Netherlands

Even if having a Dutch online shop seems easier, there are still certain rules which must be complied with. Among these, ensuring the safety of the clients and getting their consent is very important. A online shop must display the following information on its website:

• -          general terms and conditions related to payments, delivery and guarantees of the products;
• -          information about the company’s address, VAT number and business registration number;
• -          an email address and phone number must also be shown on the website;
• -          specific security protocols related to the processing of personal data must be put in place.

For full information on the requirements related to creating an online shop and assistance with the registration of the company, please contact our company registration consultants in the Netherlands.