Everything a Dutch invoice must show, in English: numbering, your KVK number and VAT ID, VAT per rate, payment terms, the 15-day rule, credit notes and how long to keep invoices.
Yes. Dutch law does not require invoices to be in Dutch. Many freelancers in the Netherlands invoice in English, especially for international clients. What matters is that every required detail is there. The tax authority may ask for a translation, so keep your wording clear and simple.
Your invoice needs: a unique invoice number in an unbroken sequence; the invoice date; your name and address; your VAT identification number; your client's name and address; a clear description of the work or goods with the quantity; the date or period of the work; the amount excluding VAT; the VAT rate and the VAT amount for each rate; and the total. As a business registered with the KVK you also show your KVK number.
Numbers must be unique and follow on from each other, for example 2026-001, 2026-002. You may start a new series each year. Do not reuse or skip numbers to hide a mistake: a wrong invoice is corrected with a credit note, not deleted.
For business clients, the invoice must be issued no later than the 15th day of the month after the month in which you did the work. In practice it is best to invoice the day the job is done: the sooner it is sent, the sooner you get paid.
Put a payment term on every invoice, such as 14 or 30 days. If you agreed nothing, the legal term for business clients is 30 days. Large companies must pay small businesses and freelancers within 30 days at most. If a business client pays late, you may charge statutory commercial interest and collection costs; for private clients, send a 14-day reminder letter first.
For an EU business client you usually do not charge Dutch VAT on services. Write 'VAT reverse-charged' on the invoice and add the client's VAT ID. For clients outside the EU, different rules apply depending on the service. Invoicing in the client's currency is fine: show the amounts clearly and keep the VAT figures correct.
Sent an invoice with an error? Do not change or delete it. Create a credit note with its own number that refers to the original invoice and cancels it, then send a new, correct invoice. This keeps your number sequence and your VAT return correct.
Keep copies of all invoices you send and receive for 7 years. Digital copies are fine, as long as they are complete and readable.
In FaturaPro you work in English and pick the invoice language per client. Numbers follow on automatically, VAT is calculated per invoice, a credit note is one click, and invoices are kept with your account. You can add your logo, bank details and payment terms once and reuse them on every invoice.
Businesses registered in the Dutch Commercial Register show their KVK number on invoices and other business documents.
For business clients, 30 days if nothing else was agreed. Large companies may take at most 30 days to pay small businesses.
Yes. FaturaPro supports 18 currencies and keeps each currency apart in your overview.
With a credit note that refers to the original, followed by a new invoice. Never delete a sent invoice.
Use the official guidance for the rules or technical profile that applies to your transaction.