Local Business Counter

The Local Business Counter, or Ondernemersportaal, is your primary contact for doing business in The Hague, particularly for small- and medium-sized companies.

The Ondernemersportaal, created in November 2009, informs start-up companies about municipal procedures which they will have to go through and assists in making everything go smoothly.

Some of the main issues a start-up business will need to consider include: location, renovation, environmental legislation etc. Within the Municipality of The Hague the Ondernemersportaal plays a guiding role for start-up companies. The services of the Ondernemersportaal are free of charge.

The free services offered by the Ondernemersportaal include:

• information about areas of overlap between industry and the municipality
• information on contact with the sub-municipal offices (stadsdeelkantoren)
• assistance in making contacts within the municipality
• explanation of the shopping hours policy (winkeltijdenbeleid)
• explanation of the municipal policy on the catering industry (horeca) and establishing a company in this branch
• assistance in making contacts with building/housing authorities
• assistance in making contacts with branch organisations
• information about regional (trade) fairs and events
• information about current economic developments
• assistance in permit applications.

Starting or expanding a company

Start-up and existing companies with expansion plans need to be prepared for dealing with a large number of rules and regulations. There are many issues which have to be considered in order to prevent problems in the future. If you would like to know which municipal issues are relevant to your business plans, please contact the Ondernemersportaal.

Permits

Whoever wants to start a company or expand his business usually needs a number of permits. Within the Municipality of The Hague there are more than 40 permits which could be of relevance to a (new) business. The Ondernemersportaal can assist in pinpointing which permits need to be acquired for your business.

Location

In searching for a location for his business, a businessman needs to consider a number of factors. For example, the accessibility to customers, available office space and the job market. There are a number of different office centres and collective office buildings for start-up companies.

Walk-in consultation

From February 2010 the Ondernemersportaal will offer walk-in consultation in the Ondernemershuis Vaillantlaan. You can come by Monday to Thursday from 9.00 to 12.00 hrs. The address is Vaillantlaan 154 in The Hague.

Postal address

Municipality of The Hague
Ondernemersportaal
Spui 70
2511 BT The Hague
Telephone: (070) 353 60 04 (weekdays from 09.00 to 16.00 hrs.)
E-mail: ondernemersportaal@dso.denhaag.nl
Website: www.denhaag.nl/ondernemen