Invoicing as a freelancer (zzp) in the Netherlands

As a freelancer (in Dutch: zzp’er) you send your own invoices. A tidy, correct invoice gets you paid faster and keeps you out of trouble with the tax office. This guide walks through the essentials.

Which details belong on it?

A freelance invoice carries the same mandatory details as any business invoice: your company and client details, your VAT identification number and KVK number, a unique invoice number, the invoice and delivery dates, a description and the amounts including VAT. The full checklist is in What must a Dutch invoice contain.

VAT as a freelancer

Charge the correct VAT rate (usually 21%, sometimes 9% or 0%) and set the VAT aside for your quarterly return. See Calculating VAT for the rates and worked examples. If you take part in the small businesses scheme (KOR), you charge no VAT and state that on the invoice.

Payment term

Agree a payment term, for example 14 or 30 days. If you agreed nothing, a statutory term of 30 days applies. Put the due date clearly on the invoice so it is immediately obvious to your client. If payment is late anyway, read How to send a payment reminder.

Getting paid sooner

• Send the invoice straight after delivery, not weeks later.
• Put a clear due date and your IBAN on the invoice.
• Use a sequential invoice number and a recognisable payment reference.

Start for free

With factuurmaken you can create a professional freelance invoice without an account, with automatic VAT calculation and a clean PDF. If you invoice often, a plan stores your clients and products so you never start from scratch.