Frequently asked questions

Question 1

How do I use the APIs?

Answer

With the API Handelsregister Zoeken you can search for a company by, for example, entering the trade name or place. Looking for more information? Each search result has a hypermedia link to the API Basisprofiel and/or Vestigingsprofiel, also known within REST as HATEAOS. Basisprofiel can only be requested with a KVK number and Vestigingsprofiel only with a location number.

Question 2

How can I test the APIs?

Answer

This can be done in two ways (both free of charge):

Via our SwaggerUI with associated test data.
Via your own software with our test API key: l7xx1f2691f2520d487b902f4e0b57a0b197. For more information, check out the testing documentation (Dutch only). NOTE: For testing with your own software, the TLS certificate api.kvk.nl must be accepted by your software. For more information, see our TLS Certificate Manual.

Question 3

What can I search for and what data can I retrieve with the APIs?

Answer

In the documentation you will find possible input and output fields per API.

Question 4

Can I retrieve data from annual accounts with a KVK API?

Answer

No, this is not possible.

Question 5

Can I look up the authorized signatory of an organization with a KVK API?

Answer

No, this is not possible.

Question 6

Can I look up the UBO data of an organization with a KVK API?

Answer

No, this is not possible.

Question 7

With which API do I find trade names?

Answer

You use the API Basisprofiel to find all active trade names of the main location. To find out the trade names of all branches, use the API Vestigingsprofiel for each branch.

Question 8

Is historical data available?

Answer

No. The APIs do not provide an overview of the mutations (historical data). Order the product History via the website of the Chamber of Commerce.

Question 9

Can I use a KVK API to look up the directors/owners/shareholders of an organization?

Answer

No, this is not possible.

Question 10

Can we make Excel overviews of companies with the KVK API?

Answer

No, this is not possible.

Question 11

Is there a limit to the number of queries?

Answer

Yes, the limit is 300,000 queries per month at a rate of up to 100 per second.

Question 12

Can I search by zip code?

Answer

Yes. These are all search options in the API KVK Handelsregister Zoeken:

Chamber of Commerce number
RSIN
Location number
Name
Street and place
Postal code and house number (new)

Postal code and house number are not shown by default in the search result, unless they are searched for.

Question 13

Why is the full address information not shown in the Zoeken API?

Answer

The Zoeken API only allows you to look up companies. You get the information with the other two APIs. The API KVK Handelsregister Basisprofiel works with the Chamber of Commerce number found. The API KVK Handelsregister Vestigingsprofiel works with the location number found.

Question 14

Why don't I get the desired search results when I search on part of the trade name?

Answer

API Zoeken currently does not work like a Google search engine. Relevant search results are only displayed for specific searches, complete and without spelling errors.

Question 15

Is there a limit to the number of search results?

Answer

Yes. You can view a maximum of 1000 search results.

Question 16

Can I search by SBI code?

Answer

No, this is not possible.

Question 17

Can I perform Wildcard searches?

Answer

No, that is not possible at the moment.

Question 18

Why don't I see inactive branches in the search results?

Answer

Deregistered locations are filtered out of the results by default. Do you want to view this anyway? Then add “includelnactiveRegistrations” to the query.

Question 19

Is there a maximum length for street name in the information model or API request?

Answer

Yes, the maximum length for the street name is 256 characters.

Question 20

Is it true that the SBI codes are sometimes not shown in Basisprofiel and Vestigingsprofiel?

Answer

Yes. This occurs when a company is registered in the commercial register as bankrupt and the branches are inactive. The SBI codes and other location information are then not visible.

Question 21

Why is the number of employees field not always filled in?

Answer

If the entrepreneur has not specified the number of employees, the fields "Aantal voldtijd werkzame personen" (number of full-time employed persons) and "Aantal deeltijd werkzamen personen" (number of part-time employed persons) under the section informatie hoofdvestiging (information main establishment) are empty.

Question 22

Is there an overview of all possible legal forms, extensive legal forms and national tables?

Answer

Yes. Please refer to the documentation for this.

Question 23

What do I pay for the KVK APIs?

Answer

You pay a monthly fee of € 5.65 per API key for the connection. If you use the KVK Handelsregister Basisprofiel or Vestigingsprofiel, you pay € 0.018 per query. KVK Handelsregister Zoeken is free. Want to know more about rates? Then check the product pages on the Developer Portal.

Question 24

Can an API key be used for multiple applications?

Answer

Yes, when it comes to your own applications, no when it comes to the applications from the Developer Portal.

Question 25

Why can't I log in with my Chamber of Commerce access code (WW profile)?

Answer

With the WW code you can only log in to www.kvk.nl. On the Developer Portal you log in with your chosen username and password.

Question 26

How can I request an (extra) API key?

Answer

Go to the Developer Portal, fill in all the details and request an API key/connection. Do you want to request an extra API key? Then follow the same steps. You will receive a new contract because it is currently not possible to request multiple API keys under the same contract.

Question 27

How do I cancel my API subscription?

Answer

You can cancel an API subscription in writing. Send a letter to your Chamber of Commerce regional office or an email to: account@kvk.nl. Keep in mind that a letter will take longer to arrive and that this can result in an (extra) month transition and subscription costs.

Question 28

What is the notice period for a KVK API subscription?

Answer

The agreement continues until the last day of the following calendar month and ends thereafter. For example: if you cancel on November 2, the agreement will continue until December 31.

Question 29

I want to convert the API subscription to a different Chamber of Commerce number. How do I do this?

Answer

At the moment it is not possible to transfer an API subscription to another Chamber of Commerce number. You can cancel the old connection and then request a new one.

Question 30

I want to switch the API subscription to another contact. How do I do this?

Answer

Please contact the Internal Sales department. Send an email to: account@kvk.nl or call: 088 585 34 34.

Question 31

How do I know whether my organization purchases a KVK API subscription?

Answer

Please contact the Internal Sales department. Send an email to: account@kvk.nl or call: 088 585 34 34.

Question 32

If a government organization wants to use a KVK API, does querying data fall under government input funding?

Answer

Yes, that's right.

Question 33

How is the invoice structured (number of queries versus amount on the invoice)?

Answer

View the sample invoice (Dutch only).

Question 34

I have forgotten my password, what now?

Answer

Go to reset-password and enter your username. You will receive an email with instructions on how to create a new password.

Question 35

I forgot my username, what now?

Answer

Contact the Chamber of Commerce Service Desk to request your username. Telephone number: 088 585 3030. We are available on working days between 08:30 and 17:00.

Question 36

My account has been blocked because I entered the wrong password too many times. What now?

Answer

Go to reset-password and enter your username. You will receive an email with instructions on how to create a new password.

Question 37

Where can I find my API key(s)?

Answer

Login to the KVK Developer Portal and go to “My API keys”.

Question 38

How can I cancel my account?

Answer

Your organization's administrator can add and remove accounts. The administrator account will be deleted by us when the contract is canceled.

Question 39

How can I change my details?

Answer

Login to the KVK Developer Portal and go to “My details”. You can change your login and contact details here.

Question 40

How can I view the usage of my API key(s)?

Answer

Login to the KVK Developer Portal and go to “My API keys”.

Question 41

What are the endpoints of the KVK APIs?

Answer

KVK Handelsregister Zoeken: https://api.kvk.nl/api/v1/zoeken
KVK Handelsregister Basisprofiel: https://api.kvk.nl/api/v1/basisprofielen
KVK Handelsregister Vestigingsprofiel: https://api.kvk.nl/api/v1/vestigingsprofielen
KVK Handelsregister Naamgeving: https://api.kvk.nl/api/v1/naamgevingen

Question 42

What is an SSL/TLS certificate?

Answer

TLS (in the past also called SSL) secures the connection between two computers. To get such a secure connection, you need a certificate, a TLS certificate. A certificate contains information about the certificate holder, the domain, the name of the authority that issued the certificate, the country in which the certificate was issued, and the period of validity. This ensures that your system communicates with the KVK.

Question 43

Why does my software have to trust the KVK certificate?

Answer

There are public and private certificates. Public certificates are trusted by your software by default. This does not apply to private certificates. As of 1 October 2020, the Dutch government - and therefore also the KVK - will always use private certificates for machine-to-machine communication. This means that you have to 'trust' our TLS certificate in your software.

Question 44

Can anyone request the KVK API?

Answer

Yes, provided the terms of the agreement and terms of use are observed. To sign an agreement, you must be registered in the trade register and be authorized to sign. This excludes private use.

Question 45

Can I directly request all search results from the KVK APIs via the Dataservice?

Answer

Yes, that's possible.

Question 46

How quickly can I get started with the KVK API?

Answer

Within a few working days after you have registered and signed and returned the agreement.

Question 47

How do you handle my (payment) details?

Answer

Your payment details will only be used for payments for use of the KVK API. Your data will not be shared with third parties and will not be used for other KVK payment processes.

Question 48

Are the prices inclusive or exclusive of VAT?

Answer

KVK APIs are exempt from VAT. You will receive an invoice without VAT.

Question 49

How often are updates released?

Answer

An update is announced at least 48 hours in advance through email from the KVK Servicedesk. It is difficult to indicate how often updates take place. New releases depend on the continued development of the KVK API. If you’re not getting these updates, but would like to, send us a request via our contact form.

Question 50

What happens when the KVK API is not available?

Answer

We will inform you by e-mail. Your registered contact person will receive a service message. Do you also want to receive these updates? Send us a request via our contact form.

Question 51

What is the speed of the KVK API?

Answer

The average response time is around 500 ms.

Question 52

How does the payment work?

Answer

The Chamber of Commerce (KVK) uses direct debit as payment method for the KVK API or sends an invoice with a payment term.

Question 53

Where can I find the agreement?

Answer

A sample agreement, the service guarantee, and terms of use can be found at the terms of use.

Frequently asked questions

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