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The Netherlands is currently undergoing significant disruption, both socially and economically, due to the spread of the COVID-19 illness caused by the novel Coronavirus. Until April 6, most public buildings and services will be closed, and residents are urged to stay at home as much as possible. This, naturally, may cause difficulties for any business, whether small or large. Please see below a collated collection of resources and information that may assist your business through this difficult time.
On 15 March, the Dutch government took the decision to close all schools, childcare centres, bars, cafés, restaurants, sports clubs, and gyms. More information about the closures are available here. Schools will remain open for children of those who work in ‘crucial sectors’.
Updated FAQs in English for all entrepreneurs in the Netherlands.
This is a scheme that is currently being finalised, to help employers pay their employees wages. Through the system, entrepreneurs will be able to claim up to 90% of wages back. More information here.
This existing scheme has been lengthened to include the rest of 2020 and the start of 2021. In short, it works to secure bank guarantees (such as extending overdrafts) and bridging funds. More information here.
Designed for larger businesses, this is a way for the Dutch government to guarantee 50% of any business loans for a maximum of 8 years, and with a maximum loan amount of 150 million euros. More information here.
Though the full details for this will be announced shortly, self-employed people may apply for extra financial support, which can be up to 1,500 euros per month (as a grant). Business capital loans with special low interest rates will also be available up to 10,157 euros. Foreign self-employed permit holders may also apply without endangering their residence status. More information here.
Any entrepreneur who has a loan through the micro-credit provider Qredits now has a 6-month ‘loan holiday’, and interest is being reduced to 2%. The Dutch government is underwriting the scheme.
Those whose companies work in the Hospitality, Travel and Event sectors will be given a compensation package including 4,000 euros. The final details are yet to be announced but more information is available on this page.
Please note that the best way to find out which tax breaks your business is eligible for is to call the Tax Information Line at: T: +31 (0) 800 0543 or T: +31 (0) 55 538 53 85 (if using a non-Dutch telephone number)
You can apply for an extension of your tax payments: once received the Tax Service (Belastingdienst) will immediately pause tax collection efforts for your company. Fines for late payment have been temporarily lifted, and proof of payment times have been extended. Extra interest on late payments has been cut to nearly 0%, whilst general interest rates are to be cut to as low as possible. Information on how to apply for these schemes is available here, but it may also be good to check with a tax adviser.
If the COVID-19 outbreak is likely to affect your profits, but you have already submitted a provisional assessment with the Belastingdienst, you can now log-in to your MijnBelastingdienst or MijnBelastingdienstZakelijk and change the assessment to match new expected income and profit levels.
The RVO represents and supports entrepreneurs in the Netherlands. It has created a series of pages on doing business with various countries during the outbreak (in Dutch), which is available here.
The RVO is also available for questions on T: +31 (0) 88 042 42 42 or klantcontact@rvo.nl
The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) also has an information page for information on the impact on business in the Netherlands of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Bridging funds available from ROMs for start-ups, Scale-ups and innovative SMEs. Applications can be submitted through the ROM portal.
The N.V. NOM also have a list of useful links in English and Dutch on their webpage.
The Gemeente Groningen’s department of Economic Affairs has set up a page with information about who to speak to for more information.
Is your company financially impacted by the coronavirus measures? And do you have an invoice from the Gemeente Groningen that still needs to be paid? Then please contact the Gemeente at debiteuren@groningen.nl or 050-367 8000 for a tailor-made solution.
Information about Benefits for Self-Employed people in Groningen: Please e-mail zelfstandigen@groningen.nl for a call-back.
Information about Corona measures for hotels, restaurants and cafes: please email horecaloket@groningen.nl
Aside from highlighting the national government’s measures and schemes, the Kamer van Koophandel also highlights that there is to be a temporary assurance scheme for agricultural and horticultural companies, more information will be announced by the Dutch government in the near future.
The KvK notes that a number of banks have worked with the government’s agencies to provide an extension of financing of up to 2.5 million euros for 6 months. Participating banks include ABN AMRO, ING, Rabobank; Volksbank, and Triodos Bank. For more information, contact your bank.
In order to underpin SME’s, the European Central Bank (ECB), in concert with the EU, has made 37 Billion euros of liquidity available. The ECB will also make sell bonds and use its other powers to stimulate the European economy as a whole. More information is available through the ECB here. The European Investment Bank (EIB) is making 40 Billion euros available for businesses affected.
The KvK also notes that there are several options that would normally only be used when companies are in financial issues. These include options for invoicing, external financing, and if in an emergency, a super-quick loan via ‘Flitskrediet‘ (this will have a much higher interest rate).
The KvK has a special help-line set up for entrepreneurs during the current outbreak. It is available between 08:00 and 20:00 each day for more information on the programmes and schemes set out above. T: +31 (0) 800 2117.
MKB-Nederland and VNO-NCW are working together on an information desk for entrepreneurs with questions. It can be reached on T: +31 (0) 800 2117
Pointers for entrepreneurs affected by Coronavirus: What to do if you have less work for your staff, no income as a self-employed person for the time being, or, for instance, you are not able to pay your taxes on time? Check out this summary.
Yn Business has launched a page especially for entrepreneurs in Friesland, which can be accessed here.
If you would like more information, you can contact various account managers, which are stratified by sector and problem:
For more general information you can also reach out to Yn Business via T: +31 (0) 58 760 0500 or info@ynbusiness.nl
GrensInfoPunt has information for cross-border workers between the Netherlands and Germany or Belgium. Updates on issues can be found here.
Aside from the above-mentioned government relief scheme, Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (the Dutch trade association for Hotels and Caterers) has set up a website with information for entrepreneurs in those sectors.
You can get in contact with KHN through two channels:
The NBTC and Gastvrij Nederland have put information about the outbreak and tourism on a special page (in Dutch). They can also be contacted on T: +31 (0) 70 370 57 05 or nbtc@holland.com
Zero-to-One is providing active support for entrepreneurs and stakeholders, and can be contacted via a form on its website.
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