Are you a foreigner in the Netherlands? Do you want to know the 13 best small business ideas to start in the Netherlands as a foreigner? If so, then you are reading the perfect article.
The Netherlands is one of the best countries in Europe good for starting a business. It boasts of a strong economy, rich culture, and high standard of living. The country is strategically situated, making it one of the best places to start a small business. You will understand this better when you want to register your business in the Netherlands.
In this article, we will discuss these small business ideas that you can start in the Netherlands immediately and make good profits.Â
1. Bicycle Rental
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In the Netherlands, many prefer to move around in the cities riding a bicycle. This fact makes starting a bicycle rental business in the Netherlands a lucrative venture.
As a bicycle rental business, you will give those who do not own a bicycle the opportunity to ride one for a fee. Your business can also cater to expats. Yearly, the country welcomes thousands of expats, and providing them with bicycles will help them have more authentic experiences like locals, unlike when they ride in a car.
You can start this business with one type of bicycle, and as it grows, you can expand the options to other types of bicycles.
2. Bicycle Repair
Bicycle repair is another business you can start in the Netherlands as a foreigner. Unlike bicycle rentals, you don’t need a lot of money to start a bicycle repair business.
Since a higher percentage of people in the Netherlands love to ride bicycles, it is expected that there would be a need for repairs. So you repair the bicycles and get paid for your work.
Before you can become a bicycle repairer, you should ensure that you have the skill and are also good at it. You want to provide excellent service and have your customers leave happily; that way, you will get more referrals.
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3. Online Retail
According to Statista, roughly 91% of the people in the Netherlands shopped online in 2023. This is why online retailing is one of the most lucrative business ideas in the Netherlands. You can start selling online today.
There are different ways you can sell online, such as by creating your own e-commerce website or using online e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, Amazon, etc. to sell your products. You can also use open online markets, such as Facebook Marketplace.
As an online retailer, you can sell physical and digital products. These products can be locally sourced if you want to sell physical products. You can also resell digital products.
You can start an online retail business from the comfort of your own home.
4. Coffee Shop
In the Netherlands, drinking coffee is a cultural practice. So, if you make excellent coffee, then you should consider starting a coffee shop.
To ensure rapid growth, ensure you situate your coffee shop in a busy neighborhood; that way the hyper-busy individuals can find your business, and you can also do more by going to the cooperatives close to your shop location and pitching to them to prepare their coffee.
Your journey to greatness begins with one satisfied customer.
5. Tour Guide Service
Yearly, millions of people visit the Netherlands for tourism. If you have been in the country for a while and know your way around the city, you can earn with it through tour guiding the visitors.
One benefit of this business is that it requires no capital. You only need to position yourself so that expats can find you. The best way to achieve that is by maximizing social media to increase your digital footprint.
6. Pet Service
Many pet owners are looking for someone to leave their pets with while they go to work or travel. If you have so much knowledge about pet walking or sitting, this is one of the most profitable business ideas to explore in the Netherlands right now.
Here’s why… Almost half of Dutch households own a pet. The report shows that 3 million cats and 1.8 million dogs are in the Netherlands.
The best part is that the pet service business does not require startup capital. This goes to show that you can start it with your immediate neighbors.Â
You can offer different pet services to them, such as pet walking, sitting, and training, if you know how to train pets to better interact with humans.
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- 15 Best Business Ideas For Food Lovers
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- How To Make Money From Your Domestic Waste
7. Food Delivery
People need to eat at least three times daily, and that means there are always food orders for restaurants.
As a food delivery business, your goal is to ensure that your customers receive their food on time. You can start this business with a bicycle if you don’t have the capital to buy a vehicle.
This is a high-demand business, and as far as humans exist, they will need to eat, and that means you will always have demand for your service.
8. Technology Repair Shop
The Netherlands is a tech-savvy country, meaning that a higher percentage of the country uses one tech or another.Â
You can leverage this to start a tech repair business. Your tech repair business can focus on one type of technology and further narrow it down by choosing a specific company.
To start this business, you need skills or money to hire expertise. Once you offer excellent service, you will get referrals and watch the business grow faster.
9. Co-working Space
In a co-working space business, you are not selling anything or offering a service. Your business is to provide a space for startups and individuals to work.
A co-working space business can be capital intensive because you need a space and offer internet and a conducive environment, but if you can set it up, it is a lucrative business.
Ensure you offer competitive services such as offering refreshments, bonuses, etc. Beware of these popular co-working space myths even before you start yours.
10. Fitness Studio
We are living in a very busy time, and there is a continually growing awareness about the importance of staying fit. People now want to stay healthy, and they need a fitness studio for their exercises.
Find a bustling neighborhood and open your fitness studio. Create awareness for the business through advertising and direct marketing. Ensure that the place is conducive and clean because it is a delicate business.
Offer good packages, such as adding dieting to the service to offer.
11. Virtual Assistance
A foreigner can start a virtual assistance business in the Netherlands. A virtual assistant basically helps individuals achieve their goals virtually every day, week, or month.
You can become a general virtual assistant by providing services such as bookkeeping, data entry, flight booking, and event and meeting scheduling.
If you don’t want to be a general virtual assistant, you can niche down and offer your services to a specific group. Virtual assistants work remotely, and that means you can start this business without stepping outside your home.
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12. Plumbing Services
Are you proficient with plumbing work? If you only offered the service in your country before moving to the Netherlands, you can still make money with it.
The mode of operation may indeed differ from your country, but with a little training, you will be qualified to serve the Netherlands market.
To start plumbing services, you should invest in professional tools and equipment. You must be as professional as possible to gain your clients’ trust and referrals. In addition to that, do not forget to get your business liability insurance coverage.
Also Read:
- Guide On How To Start A Plumbing Business
- 4 Must-Know Things Before Starting Your Plumbing Business
- 10 Profitable Plumbing Business Ideas To Explore
13. Web Development
This is another business you can start from the comfort of your own home. Web developers build websites and web apps for individuals and businesses.
If you don’t already have the needed skills, you can acquire them through different mentorship from individuals or learning on platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, etc. It takes time to master the skills, but once you have mastered them, you are equipped for endless possibilities.Â
Conclusion
The Netherlands is a welcoming country where both locals and foreigners can thrive in their businesses.
In this article, we have listed the 13 small profitable business ideas you can start in the Netherlands as a foreigner. To start these businesses, ensure you acquire the necessary skills and register with the appropriate government agencies to ensure a smooth operation.
Don’t overthink the process; take the most important step, which is starting. You will figure things out along the way.
