This checklist assumes you already have a valid personal training certification (NL-Actief, NSCA, ACE, EHFA Level 3 or equivalent). Below is the administrative setup — from KvK registration to your first invoice. Total timeline: 1-2 weeks. Total cost: ~€150-€250 one-time + ~€60-€120 monthly fixed.
Step 1 — KvK (Chamber of Commerce) registration
- Cost: €82.25 one-time
- Time: 30 min online + KvK office visit (~45 min)
- How: go to kvk.nl/inschrijven, fill in your details, schedule an appointment. Bring: ID, BSN (Dutch tax number), residential address.
- SBI code: 9313 (Fitness centres) or 8551 (Sports and recreation education). Both work.
- Business name: "Your Name Personal Training" or a trade name. Not protected without separate trademark registration.
- Note for expats: you need a BSN to register. Get this via the gemeente (city hall) registration at your address. Takes 1-2 weeks if newly arrived.
Step 2 — VAT number + KOR
- Cost: €0
- Time: automatic with KvK registration (within 5 working days)
- KOR (Small Business Scheme): if you expect to stay under €20,000 annual turnover, register for KOR. This means: no VAT on invoices, no VAT filings. Apply via Mijn Belastingdienst Zakelijk.
- Above €20,000? Charge 21% VAT on invoices, file quarterly. Bookkeeping software handles this automatically.
Step 3 — Professional liability insurance
- Cost: €25–€45 per month
- Time: 20 min online application
- Required? Not legally, but most studio landlords (including SculptClub) and clients' own insurers require it. Without insurance you're personally liable for injuries.
- Providers: ZZP-pensioen.nl, Centraal Beheer Achmea, Hiscox, Schouten ZZP. Minimum coverage €1 million per event.
- Tip: choose a policy that also covers "damage to rented premises" — relevant if you rent studio space.
Step 4 — Business bank account
- Cost: €0–€10 per month
- Time: 15 min online
- Required? Not legally, but strongly recommended. Tax audits are harder with private/business mixed on one account.
- Options: Bunq Easy Bank Pro (€8.99/mo, free first 12 months), Knab ZZP (€0/mo basic), ING Business (€8/mo). Bunq + Knab are most ZZP-friendly. Bunq supports English UI fully; ING is mostly Dutch.
Step 5 — Bookkeeping
- Cost: €0–€20 per month
- Time: 1 hour setup + 15 min/week maintenance
- Software: MoneyMonk (€11.75/mo, built for ZZP'ers, NL only), Bunq Business with built-in bookkeeping, Tellow (€11.90/mo). Avoid manual Excel — tax authority requires digital records for 7 years.
- Track: every invoice you send, every receipt/invoice you pay (equipment, certifications, studio rent, travel costs), mileage if you travel to clients.
Step 6 — Pension (voluntary but smart)
- Cost: from €50 per month
- Time: 30 min one-time
- Why: ZZP'ers don't get employer pension. Without your own buildup, you'll only have AOW (~€1,500 gross/month single in 2026). Contributions are tax-deductible up to an annual cap.
- Providers: Brand New Day, Bright Pensions, Aegon ZZP-pensioen. All low-cost, mobile-managed.
Step 7 — Terms + Privacy policy
- Cost: €0–€50 one-time
- Time: 1 hour
- What: terms of service (payment terms, cancellation policy, no-show policy) + GDPR privacy statement if you store client data.
- Templates: free via KvK advice or NL Actief (Dutch sports industry association).
- Tip: put your terms on one page of your website and reference them in every invoice. Nobody reads it, but legally needed.
Step 8 — Send your first invoice
- Cost: €0
- Time: 10 min
- Required fields: your name + address, KvK number, VAT number (or "KOR applies"), invoice date, invoice number (sequential), client details, description + rate + total, payment terms.
- Recommendation: 14-day payment terms, upfront payment for packages. Late payers cost you on average €30-€80 in reminders + admin time per case.
Step 9 — Sort out training space
Once admin is set: pick where you work. Options compared in own studio vs home vs outdoor. For most starting ZZP-PTs, hourly rental is the logical choice — low fixed costs, professional appearance.
At SculptClub in Jordaan you start by the hour (€12 for half-studio, €17 for full). No membership, zero commission on your clients, all equipment included.
Step 10 — First clients
Detailed in the freelance trainer guide. Short version: Google Business Profile + 10 reviews from first clients + Instagram content + 2-3 physio referral relationships = typically 8-15 new leads/month within 6 months.
Cost summary
- One-time: ~€150-€250 (KvK + setup costs)
- Monthly fixed: ~€60-€120 (insurance + bank + bookkeeping + pension)
- Variable per session: studio rent €12-€24, admin time
Compare with chain-gym employment (~€2,500-€3,500 gross/month): as a ZZP'er you need 8-12 paid sessions/week to match the same net income. Above that point you earn significantly more.