To set up a coffee shop business in the Netherlands (café/coffee bar, not a cannabis “coffeeshop”), decide your legal form—eenmanszaak for speed/low cost but full personal liability, or BV for investor-readiness and liability shielding—then register with KVK (Chamber of Commerce) to receive your VAT number; this satisfies the core “Coffee shop business setup Netherlands” requirement. Confirm zoning (bestemmingsplan) via the Omgevingsloket and apply for your municipal horeca exploitatievergunning; add an Alcoholwet vergunning if serving beer/wine (at least one manager with SVH Sociale Hygiëne diploma and a VOG must be listed), plus a terrasvergunning for outdoor seating and any needed omgevingsvergunning for build-out/signage. Register with the NVWA and implement HACCP (or the Horeca Hygiënecode), train staff on allergen disclosure (EU 1169/2011), and complete a melding brandveilig gebruik or fire safety permit as required. Set up payroll with the Belastingdienst (loonheffingen), follow CAO Horeca and the Dutch minimum wage rules, appoint at least one BHV emergency responder, and complete an RI&E. Operational essentials: display VAT-included prices; apply 9% VAT on coffee/food and 21% on alcohol; arrange Buma/Stemra and Sena music licenses; choose PIN/contactless acquiring and issue Dutch-compliant receipts; secure business liability, inventory, and business-interruption insurance. Non‑EU owners need an IND self‑employed or startup permit (DAFT possible for US).
