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    This is how eHerkenning works

    Learn more about eHerkenning

    eHerkenning allows entrepreneurs to easily and securely log in to the Netherlands Tax Administration and to Mijn Douane for customs matters. eHerkenning is comparable to DigiD, but is intended for businesses. You apply for eHerkenning directly at 1 of the authorised suppliers.

    Most recently updated on: 22 April 2024

    Since 29 January 2024, you can apply for eHerkenning if you cannot register or do not have to register with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KVK). With eHerkenning without KVK number, you can only log in to the Netherlands Tax Administration. We are exploring the possibility of a compensation scheme for eHerkenning without KVK number. As soon as we know more, we will publish it on this page.

    What you need to know about logging in with eHerkenning at the Netherlands Tax Administration and Customs Administration:

    • When do you and when do you not need eHerkenning?

      You need eHerkenning to log in to:

      • Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk
        For instance, for your VAT return, payroll tax return or dividend tax.
      • Mijn Douane
        For instance, for your excise and consumer tax returns.
      • EU Trader Portal and EU Customs Trader Portal
        For instance, to apply for certain customs permits and binding tariff information. To log in to these European customs portals with eHerkenning, you must also have a valid EORI number (Economic Operators Registration and Identification number).

      You can also log in with eHerkenning to the data portals (only available in Dutch) to supply of request data from us.

      eHerkenning is not always required

      You do not need eHerkenning if:

      • you are sole proprietor or self-employed
        You can also log in to Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk and Mijn Douane using your DigiD just like you are used to at Mijn Belastingdienst.
      • you file your tax return yourself using accounting software that you have purchased
      • your tax service provider files your tax return for you

      You cannot apply for customs permits using DigiD. You can find how to apply for these permits in the overview of customs authorisations.

      Please note!

      Do you have 1 or more companies with another legal form besides your sole proprietorship, such as a general partnership (vof), limited company (bv) or partnership (maatschap)? Then you log in to Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk for those companies using eHerkenning. DigiD only allows you to log in to Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk and Mijn Douane for a sole proprietorship or as a self-employed person.

    • How to log in using eHerkenning?

      On the login page of the portal, select 'Log in using eHerkenning'. You log in with the login details you received from your eHerkenning supplier.

      Have you forgotten your login details? Please contact your eHerkenning supplier. Your supplier is your first point of contact. You can find more information about logging into our business portals at:

    • What do you need to apply for eHerkenning?

      When applying for eHerkenning, you will need your KVK number.

      When applying for eHerkenning without KVK number, you will need the registration number you received from us. This is how you find your registration number:

      • You have a VAT number: The first 9 digits of your VAT number (before the letter B) make up your registration number. You will find your VAT number in the letter you receive from us after registering as an entrepreneur. We also quote your VAT number on other letters.
      • You have registered for the EU VAT One Stop Shop (OSS): You will find your registration number in the letter you receive from us after registering with the Netherlands Tax Administration via the 'Registration form Foreign companies'. Please note that your registration number for the Non-Union scheme and the Import scheme, is not the same as the participant number you receive from us after registering for the EU VAT One Stop Shop.
      • You have registered for the dividend tax refund: You will find your registration number (tax number) in the letter you receive from us after your registration.

      Do you have a business with a legal form such as private limited company (bv), general partnership (vof), limited partnership (cv) or public limited company (nv), and are you required to register with KVK? Then you cannot apply for eHerkenning without KVK number. You must first register with KVK and apply for eHerkenning with your KVK number.

      Apply for eHerkenning in time

      Once you have the eHerkenning login, you can log in at Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk directly. However, you will not receive your eHerkenning login immediately after your application. Sometimes additional checks are required, such as electronic identification. This takes time. So apply for eHerkenning as soon as possible and do not wait until the moment you have to file a tax return.

      Please note!

      On 1 July 2024, we will permanently close the old portal for entrepreneurs. On 1 July 2024, the secure place on our website where entrepreneurs from outside the European Union (EU) submit a VAT declaration for the EU VAT One Stop Shop, will also close. See also:

      Some companies and organisations apply for eHerkenning through a separate procedure. You will find more information at How to apply for eHerkenning.

    • What type of eHerkenning do you need - and at what level?

      To log in to our portals, you need eHerkenning assurance level 3 (EH3) or higher. You can choose regular EH3 or the special Belastingdienst EH3 login. If you cannot register or are unable to register with KVK, you will need eHerkenning without KVK number.

      Regular EH3

      Regular EH3 allows you to log in securely with various government organisations. Regular EH3 is only available with a KVK number.

      Currently you need regular EH3 or higher for the following portals:

      • EU Trader Portal
      • EU Customs Trader Portal
      • data portals through which you can request data from us or submit data to us

      With eHerkenning without KVK number you cannot yet log in to these portals using regular EH3.

      Special Belastingdienst EH3 login

      With the special Belastingdienst EH3 login you can only log in to the Netherlands Tax Administration. This type of login is only available with a KVK number.

      You pay a maximum of € 25 for one year for the special Belastingdienst EH3 login. There is a compensation scheme for this login.

      eHerkenning without KVK number

      With eHerkenning without KVK number you can only log in to the Netherlands Tax Administration. This type of eHerkenning is available for all entrepreneurs, companies and organisations that do not have to be registered or cannot register with KVK.

      You can log in with eHerkenning without KVK number on the following portals:

      • Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk
      • Mijn Douane

      Please note!

      We are exploring the possibility of a compensation scheme for eHerkenning without KVK number. As soon as we know more, we will publish it on this page.

      Please note that a eHerkenning supplier may charge one-off costs when your purchase eHerkenning. These costs may differ per supplier and per country of establishment.

      eHerkenning for fiscal unities for VAT purposes

      Since 28 February 2024 eHerkenning without KVK number is also available for fiscal unities for VAT purposes. Depending on which supplier you choose, you purchase a new login for your fiscal unity, or you add your fiscal unity as an additional organisation.

      If one of the businesses within the fiscal unity already has eHerkenning, they can log in to Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk on behalf of the fiscal unity for VAT purposes. How to do this, is explained at Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk login and authorisation, under 'You have a fiscal unity for VAT purposes'. Please note that this is a temporary way of logging in. At a later date you will need to purchase eHerkenning for your fiscal unity for VAT purposes.

      eHerkenning for sole proprietors and self-employed person

      If you are a sole proprietor or self-employed person, you do not need eHerkenning. You can log in with DigiD or a European approved digital identity (eID).

      Do you still want to apply for eHerkenning? Which type of eHerkenning you need depends on whether you are registered with KVK and if you have a Dutch burgerservicenummer (citizen service number):

      • You have a KVK number: You need the regular EH3 or higher, or the special Belastingdienst EH3 login.
      • You do not have a KVK number, but you do have a Dutch burgerservicenummer: You need the regular EH3 or higher, or the special Belastingdienst EH3 login. This is only possible with a KVK number. Check kvk.nl on how to register in the Business Register as a foreign company. If you have a Dutch burgerservicenummer, you cannot apply for eHerkenning without KVK number.
      • You do not have a KVK number or a Dutch burgerservicenummer: You need eHerkenning without KVK number.

      You can have your current eHerkenning converted

      Do you already have regular EH3 or eHerkenning assurance level EH2, EH2+ or level EH1 (is no longer issued)? And do you only need eHerkenning for Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk? Your supplier can convert your current eHerkenning to the special Belastingdienst EH3 login. You can be compensated for the cost of the conversion.

      eHerkenning for multiple companies

      Do you have several companies, such as several private limited companies or a holding company with an operating company? And do you only need eHerkenning for Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk? Then you can purchase the special Belastingdienst EH3 login for each company.

      You cannot log in for multiple companies or organisations with the same Belastingdienst EH3 login. Do you want to be able to log in for multiple companies or organisations with a single login? Then you will need regular EH3. This means you are not entitled to compensation.

    • For whom and for what service to apply for eHerkenning?

      eHerkenning is personal. You or any employee authorised to log in on behalf of your organisation will receive a personal login.

      In the login account, you can select services and define specific authorisations. As an administrator, you can authorise a person for a particular service. For example, you can authorise someone to file a VAT return in Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk and someone else to submit data to us via the data portal.

      More information about authorisation can be found at eherkenning.nl/en/authorisation. Or ask your eHerkenning supplier.

    • Use of eHerkenning by tax service providers

      If a tax service provider handles your tax affairs for you, you yourself do not need to apply for eHerkenning. You must give your tax service provider permission to log in using eHerkenning on your behalf. This is done through chain authorisation. Your tax service provider knows how this authorisation works.

      Are you a sole proprietor or self-employed? Then you can also authorise your tax service provider via DigiD Authorisation.

      You are a tax service provider

      Read the information on eHerkenning for tax service providers (chain authorisation).