FAQ

How can I use the KVK Company Counter?

Choose an industry and an area and you will immediately see the number of companies.

How can I select an industry?

1. By keyword. If you fill in a sector in the search window (for example: 'retail'), you will get a list of all the SBI codes containing the word 'retail'.
2. By clicking on the list. Here you will find an overview of standard business classification codes (SBI, business activities). The complete list can also be found at the top of this page.

How can I select an area?

You can choose between 5 geographical levels (in Dutch):

• Place of residence (village or city)
• Municipality (can consist of several places of residence)
• Region (40 COROP-regions; smaller regions within the provinces)
• Province
• The Netherlands

How current is the data in the KVK Company Counter?

The figures are updated quarterly:

• Around 15 January (reference date 1 January)
• Around 15 April (reference date 1 April)
• Around 15 July (reference date 1 July)
• Around 15 October (reference date 1 October)
• The data comes from the KVK Business Register.

What if a registered company has 2 business activities: a main and secondary activity. How is this included in the count?

The count is based on the main activity. Secondary activities are not included in the count. For example: a baker whose main activity is 'making bread' is not included in the count if you search for 'bread shop' (secondary activity).

Which companies are included in the count?

• Economically active companies. These are for-profit companies, where labour is performed (at least one active person), and which do not belong to the business management sector (in particular financial holding companies and investment institutions). Non-profit associations and foundations are also not included.
• Headquarters and branch offices.

Can I make a selection of companies via the KVK?

The KVK Company Counter only contains statistics, not data from individual companies. For an address database, you can contact the Service Centre by telephone (088 585 15 85). They will be happy to inform you about the options and costs. Please note that the count results in the KVK Company Counter can deviate from the address file.

How can I save the result of the count?

The KVK Company Counter does not have a storage function. We advise you to make a print screen of the result.

Can the information be used freely?

Yes, with the source reference: KVK Company Counter.

What is the difference between the KVK Location Scan and KVK Company Counter?

The KVK Location Scan (in Dutch) is a tool for companies that (will) focus on a business-to-consumer sector (b-to-c), such as a shop, a lunchroom, or a nail studio. The tool gives you an overview of the number of companies in the area, plus demographic data. The information in the Location Scan is more extensive, but not available for all sectors, as is the case with the KVK Company Counter. The reference date of the source files of the KVK Company Counter and KVK Location Scan are not the same. This may cause minor differences.

What is the difference between KVK Regiodata and KVK Company Counter?

KVK Regiodata (in Dutch) is an online benchmark tool. This allows public bodies such as municipalities, provinces, and business and industry organisations to compare the economy in their area with other areas. Which industries are well or less well represented, how is the labour market doing? Are there many or few freelancers? So, the information in KVK Regiodata goes beyond a count. The reference date of the source files of KVK Company Counter and KVK Regiodata are not the same. This may result in minor differences.

Do you have questions about the KVK Company Counter?

Call the KVK Advice Team on 088 585 22 22.

Do you have an idea or improvement for KVK Company Counter?

We would like to hear what you think of the KVK Company Counter. You can send us suggestions via the feedback button on the right of the page.