The Netherlands is a strong automated-KYB market. The KVK Handelsregister covers every registered business with structured data and a unique KVK number, and the UBO-register captures beneficial ownership. The BV (besloten vennootschap) is the dominant private-company form, and onboarding centres on resolving the KVK number and reconciling management with ownership.
Business verification (KYB)
First Mile Labs retrieves the KVK Handelsregister record by KVK number — legal form, registered address, board members (bestuurders), and authorised signatories — and reconciles it against the UBO-register to establish beneficial owners. The registered details are cross-checked against the application form, and ownership chains through holding structures are followed where the data allows.
Identity verification (IDV)
Dutch directors and beneficial owners are verified using the Dutch identity card (identiteitskaart) or passport, with document authentication, liveness, and face-match. Driving licences are accepted as a secondary document, and non-nationals resident in the Netherlands are verified via their residence permit (verblijfsvergunning).
Sanctions, PEP & adverse media (AML)
Dutch entities and individuals are screened against the EU consolidated list, UN, OFAC, and national measures, with PEP and adverse-media checks running continuously and feeding the shared risk model.
From our compliance team
Dutch holding structures are the thing to watch. The BV-within-BV pattern is extremely common, and a chain of Dutch holdings can sit on top of foreign ownership that the UBO-register only partially captures. We follow the chain as far as the register allows and flag the point at which it crosses into a jurisdiction with weaker ownership data, rather than stopping at the first Dutch parent.
Netherlands onboarding — FAQ
What does the KVK number identify?
It is the unique registration number for a business in the Dutch Handelsregister. First Mile Labs uses it to retrieve the structured company record — legal form, address, board members, and signatories — directly from the KVK.
Where does Dutch beneficial ownership come from?
From the UBO-register, which the platform reconciles against the Handelsregister board data. Holding structures are followed through the chain where the register supports it.
Which identity documents are accepted in the Netherlands?
The Dutch identity card or passport are preferred, with the driving licence accepted as a secondary document. Each is authenticated and matched to a live selfie, and residents who are non-nationals use their verblijfsvergunning.
Coverage in other markets
Onboarding customers in Netherlands?
Book a demo and we'll walk you through a full Netherlands case — registry, identity, screening, and decision.
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