Eurovergunning: licence requirements for starting a transport company

You need a Community licence (Eurovergunning), issued by the NIWO, before you may transport goods by road for payment in the Netherlands. The licence is required as soon as a vehicle has a payload of more than 500 kg or a maximum permissible mass above 2,500 kg, and the NIWO only grants it once your business meets four conditions: establishment, financial standing, professional competence and good repute.

The rules follow from EU Regulations (EC) 1071/2009 and 1072/2009 and the Dutch Road Haulage Act (Wet wegvervoer goederen). The NIWO (Nationale en Internationale Wegvervoer Organisatie) carries out the checks and issues the licence.

Who needs a Eurovergunning?

Everyone who carries goods professionally by road, for payment and on behalf of third parties, with a vehicle above the 500 kg payload or 2,500 kg mass limits. The licence covers transport within the Netherlands and across the EU.

Outside the EU you need additional permits, such as a CEMT permit or a bilateral ride authorisation. Certain types of transport, such as dangerous goods, require further permits on top of the Eurovergunning.

How do you apply?

You apply through the NIWO’s online business portal, logging in with eHerkenning. The NIWO then issues a licence certificate (vergunningbewijs) for each vehicle, which must be on board during transport.

The Eurovergunning is valid for five years and must be renewed before it expires; the NIWO advises starting the renewal six months before the expiry date. Adding vehicles later does not require a new licence, but each extra vehicle needs its own certificate and must be covered by your financial standing.

Which conditions must you meet?

The NIWO checks four conditions before it issues the licence.

• Establishment: you have an actual and permanent place of business in the Netherlands, with at least one vehicle at your disposal.
• Financial standing: risk-bearing capital of at least €9,000 for the first vehicle and €5,000 for every additional vehicle. You prove it with an opening or current balance sheet and a compilation statement from a member of the NBA, NOAB or Register Belastingadviseurs.
• Professional competence: your transport manager holds the professional competence diploma for road haulage (vakdiploma ondernemer beroepsgoederenvervoer over de weg).
• Good repute: a certificate of good conduct (Verklaring Omtrent het Gedrag, VOG), no more than two months old when you apply. A B.V., V.o.f. or other legal form needs a VOG for legal persons (VOG RP); a sole proprietor and the transport manager need a VOG for natural persons (VOG NP).

Directors who do not live in the Netherlands or do not hold Dutch nationality need a VOG NP, or an equivalent document, from their country of residence or origin.

Who can be the transport manager?

The director, the owner or an external person can be the transport manager, as long as that person holds the diploma and actually and permanently directs the transport activities. The manager must be registered with the Chamber of Commerce (KVK) as director or as fully authorised representative.

An external manager works under a management agreement and may manage up to three other companies, with a combined fleet of no more than 50 vehicles. The manager must receive reasonable pay, at least the minimum under the collective labour agreement for road haulage (cao Beroepsgoederenvervoer). The NIWO can check after the licence is granted whether the manager is genuinely involved.

When can the NIWO refuse or withdraw the licence?

The NIWO withdraws the licence when you no longer meet one of the four conditions, for example after a loss that erodes your financial standing. Under the Public Administration (Probity Screening) Act (Wet Bibob), it can also refuse or withdraw the licence on advice from Bureau Bibob where there is a serious risk that it will be used for criminal activities.

What does the Eurovergunning cost?

The NIWO’s 2026 tariffs are €255 for a first application, €130 for a renewal, €27 for each licence certificate and an annual levy of €25.80 per certificate, invoiced twice a year. These are statutory fees without VAT; the NIWO reviews them every year.

What can we do for you when starting a transport company?

Our corporate lawyers help starting hauliers set up the business and the licence application.

• We advise on the legal form and draft the articles of association or partnership agreement.
• We review your Eurovergunning application and supporting documents before you submit it.
• We draft the management agreement with an external transport manager.
• We draft your general terms and conditions and your contracts with clients and subcontractors.
• We object (bezwaar) to a refusal or withdrawal of the licence by the NIWO within six weeks.

Summary

• You need a Eurovergunning from the NIWO before you may transport goods professionally by road for payment above 500 kg payload or 2,500 kg mass.
• You must show an actual establishment, financial standing of €9,000 plus €5,000 per extra vehicle, a qualified transport manager, and good repute.
• The licence is valid for five years; start the renewal six months in advance.
• The NIWO can refuse or withdraw the licence, including on advice from Bureau Bibob.
• In 2026 a first application costs €255, plus €27 per certificate and €25.80 per certificate per year.

Frequently asked questions