What does it cost to start as a freelancer? The bill, itemised
Written by Ilias Aarrass7 min read · Published on · Last reviewed on 
In short
Registration with the Chamber of Commerce is a one-off of just over 80 euros; a service provider usually starts with around 1,800 euros in purchases and 150 euros of monthly fixed costs, a tradesperson with van and tools with 8,000 euros or more.
- Besides purchases, count on three months of household costs, because the first invoices are only paid after thirty days.
- You get the VAT on your start-up costs back, including on costs from before your registration.
- Purchases above 450 euros excluding VAT are depreciated rather than deducted at once.
- The largest monthly item is disability cover, from around 100 euros a month.
Starting as a freelancer can cost a few hundred euros, and it can cost fifteen thousand. The difference is not in the registration but in your trade: someone working with a laptop faces a different bill from someone who needs a van, tools and stock. This article lists every item, with indicative amounts, the split between one-off and monthly, and what you get back through VAT and tax. At the end there are two complete first-year budgets.
The fixed items for everyone
A handful of costs apply to every freelancer, whatever the trade. Registration with the Chamber of Commerce is a one-off of just over eighty euros; it also registers you with the tax authorities and gets you your VAT identification number within a few weeks. The rest is mainly monthly.
| Item | One-off or monthly | Indicative amount |
|---|---|---|
| Chamber of Commerce registration | one-off | just over € 80 |
| Business account | monthly | € 5 to € 15 |
| Bookkeeping software | monthly | € 10 to € 30 |
| Bookkeeper (optional) | monthly | € 50 to € 150 |
| Domain and hosting | yearly | € 50 to € 150 |
| Business liability insurance | monthly | € 10 to € 25 |
| Disability cover | monthly | from around € 100 |
The items that differ per trade
This is where the bill diverges. A copywriter needs a laptop, an installer a van full of tools, a hairdresser a chair and stock. The rule is always the same: anything under 450 euros excluding VAT you deduct at once, anything above that you capitalise and depreciate over several years. See capitalise or deduct at once and deducting or capitalising tools.
- Equipment: laptop, phone, monitor, camera, machines. Often the largest one-off item.
- Transport: a van or the use of your private car with the mileage allowance.
- Stock and materials, plus storage if it does not fit at home.
- Diplomas, certificates, inspections and mandatory registrations in your sector.
- Workwear with a company logo and personal protective equipment. See deducting workwear.
- A trademark registration if you want to protect your name. See registering a trademark.
The biggest item is on no receipt
The months in which you invoice little are more expensive than all your purchases combined. Your household fixed costs continue, and the first invoices are only paid after thirty days. Count on at least three months without meaningful turnover and set that amount aside in a separate account. See how much buffer you need and the cash flow budget.
What you get back
The amounts above exclude VAT, and that is no coincidence: in principle you get that VAT back. That also applies to costs incurred before your registration, as long as they were demonstrably for the business. So keep the receipts from your orientation phase. See reclaiming VAT on pre-start costs.
On top of that your costs lower your profit, and therefore your tax. Of every euro of cost you feel roughly a third back in lower income tax, depending on your rate and your deductions. If in one year you invest more than the threshold in business assets, the small-scale investment deduction may come on top of that.
Two first-year budgets
- Service provider with a laptop: one-off
- around € 1,800 (registration, laptop, website, furnishing)
- Service provider: monthly
- around € 150 (account, software, insurance)
- Tradesperson with van and tools: one-off
- € 8,000 to € 15,000
- Tradesperson: monthly
- around € 400 (insurance, van, materials, software)
Result: Add three months of household costs to both as a starting buffer. That amount, not the registration fee, determines whether your start is feasible
The bill that comes later
Starters are rarely shocked by the costs in month one, but they are by the assessment in year two. On your profit you pay income tax and the health insurance contribution, and that bill only arrives after the year ends. So start reserving in a separate account right away; see how much to set aside. A provisional assessment spreads the payment over the year so you do not have to settle all at once.
Against that bill stand the entrepreneur's deductions. If you meet the hours criterion, the self-employed deduction applies and, in your early years, possibly the starter's deduction. And on what remains, the SME profit exemption still comes off.
Frequently asked questions
What does registering with the Chamber of Commerce cost?
Just over eighty euros, one-off, payable at your appointment. You receive your Chamber number immediately; the VAT identification number follows by post. See registering with the Chamber.
Do I need a business account?
Not legally required for a sole proprietorship, but most banks do not allow business use of a private account, and a separate account saves you hours of sorting out. See opening a business account.
How much money should I have in reserve?
Count on your one-off purchases plus three months of household costs plus three months of business fixed costs. For a service provider that often comes to five to eight thousand euros; with a van and tools it is much higher.
Are start-up costs deductible?
Yes. Costs under 450 euros are deducted at once, larger purchases are depreciated over several years. You reclaim the VAT, including on costs from before your registration.
Should I take out disability cover straight away?
It is the most expensive monthly item and at the same time the only one that protects your income if you are out for months. Look at the variants in disability insurance and being ill without cover and make a deliberate choice rather than postponing it.
Sources
- Trade Register registration feeKVK · kvk.nl
- Business account: handy, not mandatoryKVK · kvk.nl
- Deducting pre-start costs from your taxKVK · kvk.nl
Sources checked on
This article provides general information based on the rules known for 2026 and does not replace personal tax advice. For your specific situation, we're happy to take a look with you.
