Replacement of SBI codes in the Dutch trade register

Article
NL Law
Expertise
Corporate and M&A

The Chamber of Commerce will replace many SBI codes in the Dutch trade register between 5 and 7 September 2025. SBI codes are used by various organisations, including the Dutch government, banks and insurers. We therefore advise companies to check whether the new SBI code(s) are correct and complete after the conversion. Note that during the conversion, no trade register extracts or other information can be obtained from the Dutch trade register.

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When registering a company or changed business activities in the Dutch trade register, the Chamber of Commerce assigns one or more SBI codes to the relevant company. The current SBI codes are based on the 2008 standard business classification (standaardbedrijfsindeling 2008) and will be converted by the Chamber of Commerce in line with the 2025 standard business classification (standaardbedrijfsindeling 2025). This will result in the introduction of several new SBI codes, the consolidation or split of several SBI codes, and the addition of a fifth digit to SBI codes that currently consist of four digits. The new SBI codes can be consulted via the website of Statistics Netherland (Centraal Bureau voor de Statistiek). 

SBI codes are used by various organisations, including the Dutch government, banks and insurers. The registration of the correct SBI code(s) is therefore not only an administrative matter. SBI codes are an essential link between a company's activities and the legal and financial framework in which such company operates. SBI codes are, for example, relevant in the context of permits, subsidies and government support, collective labour agreement obligations and pension schemes, financing possibilities and tax matters. Although the registered SBI code is not always decisive in this regard, registering an incorrect SBI code can have legal, financial and operational consequences. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the company itself to ensure that the correct activities and SBI codes are registered.

Recommendations 

The Chamber of Commerce automatically converts the SBI codes in the trade register. However, we do recommend that companies take the following steps after the conversion:

  • check the new SBI code(s) and verify that these are still correct, up to date and complete;
  • register any necessary changes with the Chamber of Commerce; and
  • check where the SBI code(s) are used by the company (e.g. in administrative systems, contracts or reports), so that the SBI code(s) can also be updated there (where necessary).

If you have any further questions on this subject, please do not hesitate to contact one of the authors of this publication.

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