Local Business Counter (Ondernemersportaal)

Businesses in The Hague can stop by the Local Business Counter (Ondernemersportaal) for advice on rules, permits and procedures. This service is free of charge.

The Ondernemersportaal advises companies on municipal rules, permits and procedures.

The municipality helps

For businesses, the customer is king; for the municipality, businesses have top priority. You provide customers with a great product, good service and clear information. The municipality would like to provide you with the same. For businesses it is not always easy to find your way around the municipality. Permits, rules, procedures: where do you start? The Ondernemersportaal supports business owners in The Hague.

Frequently-asked questions

Below you will find links to Dutch-language information on the most frequently-asked questions at the Ondernemersportaal.

• Which opening hours are allowed for a shop? Look at The Hague's rules on opening hours (winkeltijdenbeleid).
• Starting up a home-based business? Look at running a business from home (Bedrijf en beroep aan huis starten) and starting a Bed and Breakfast (B&B).
• Setting up a stand or stall outdoors? Look at Apply for a market stand on a public road (Incidentele of seizoenstandplaats op de openbare weg aanvragen).
• Applying for a catering licence (horecavergunning)? Look at Horeca-ondernemers to see which permits are needed.
• The possibilities for financing and/or getting a subsidy to start up a business? Look at www.qredits.nl (in English).
• Placing an advertising sign on a facade? Look at All-in-one building permit.
• Are you experiencing financial problems as a self-employed person? Look at Assistance for business owners (Financiële hulp voor ondernemers (Bbz)).
• Do you have a company and would you like a parking permit? Look at Parking permit for companies.
• Have you seen a building and would you like to know what it can be used for? Look at Starting up a company in a building (Een bedrijf beginnen in een pand).

Contact and walk-in consultation

Do you have a different question or do you need additional information? Please contact the Ondernemersportaal. You can phone the Ondernemersportaal from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 17.00 hrs. Telephone: (070) 353 60 04 or email: ondernemersportaal@denhaag.nl. Or come to the walk-in consultation in The Hague City Hall, Spui 70. The walk-in consultation is from Monday to Friday from 9.00 to 16.00 hrs.

The website of the Ondernemersportaal is also available in English via the translate button.

Complaints

Are you a business owner and would you like to file a complaint about the municipality’s services? You can also send an email to ondernemersportaal@denhaag.nl.

More information

• All Dutch government information for businesses can be found at Business.gov.nl (in English).
• You can find more information on The Hague on the website HaagsOndernemershuis. 
• Follow the Ondernemersportaal on Twitter at @OPDenHaag.