Hi

I'd like to set up as a freelancer and wonder if anyone can give me some advice. Currently I have only one client - in the UK. However, I work from home and want to live in the Netherlands and hopefully try to pick up some clients here. Ideally, I will be able to build a portfolio of clients in both the UK and the Netherlands and travel between the two places. There's also a possibility of attracting work from outside the EU - I have contacts in Australia.

How do I set myself up for tax, registering my business etc? Is it better to register in the UK or in the Netherlands? I know there are some companies that act as 'virtual employers' for payroll purposes - is it a good idea to use one of these or employ an accountant?

I've read you have to prove you have several clients in order to register as a freelancer. This seems like a bit of a chicken and egg problem to me - how do you get more clients if you're not set up properly? How can you set yourself up if you can't prove you have a range of clients?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Lets start here.

Do you have the right to work in Holland?

And, if so, have you registered with the kvk people?


http://www.kvk.nl/home/homeUK.asp

Hi sun-n-fun

I'm a EU citizen - from the UK so I assume I'm OK to work here.

No I haven't registered with anyone yet in either.

Thanks

I registered with the KVK several years ago. As a one person company.

I would visit them and talk about things. They will want to talk about your business plan, etc. Say you don't have one; that the company exists or whatever.

But the KVK number has all sorts of benefits.

The KVK are basically the (in the USA) chamber of commerce.

Do you have a SOFI number? Or is your British one ok here?