Updated October 21, 2026
Where paying customers come from
Clients for health services in the Netherlands arrive through a mix of personal networks, local visibility and online search. Practical sources are neighbours and friends, current workplace colleagues and staff at local businesses, parents and staff at schools, people who find you via search engines, and referrals from other practitioners.
Offline opportunities matter across the whole country - offering appointments outside office hours, partnering with a local gym or physiotherapy practice for space, or running a short information session at a community centre can bring paying clients. Online, people search for services by need and place, so showing clear services and availability helps.
Word of mouth grows slowly but is reliable. Expect referrals to start small and increase as you deliver consistent results and ask satisfied clients to recommend you.
- Neighbours, local community and friends
- Workplaces and local businesses
- Parents, schools and local institutions
- Online search and social profiles
- Referrals from other health professionals
How to set a first price and talk about money
Setting a first price is about covering your time, costs and a realistic hourly or per-session rate that fits the local market. Start by listing direct costs - rent for a room, materials, insurance, booking fees - and decide a minimum hourly rate you can accept. Then check similar services in your region to ensure your price is not out of line.
When talking about money with a prospective client, be clear and direct. State what a session includes, how long it takes, and the full price including any taxes or fees. If you offer a package or a follow-up discount, present it transparently and in writing.
Avoid promising specific outcomes. Describe what you do, typical session structure and who benefits most. For payments, explain accepted methods and when you expect payment - before, after or on the day.
- Calculate costs and a minimum hourly rate
- Check comparable services locally
- Be transparent about session content and full price
- State payment methods and timing
What the first ten customers usually look like
The first ten customers are often people who already know you or who connect through a direct introduction. Expect a mix of friends, colleagues, neighbours and a few strangers who found you online or on a marketplace.
They tend to book single sessions first and decide whether to come back based on clarity, convenience and how you manage expectations. Many will try a single offering - an initial assessment, a short treatment or a workshop - before committing to regular sessions.
Early customers can also include staff from local businesses willing to test an introductory offer. Use these first interactions to refine your intake questions, timing and how you explain value.
- Friends, neighbours and colleagues
- People who respond to a simple online listing
- One-off or trial sessions before repeat bookings
- Local business or school referrals for introductory work
What to sort out when taking money as an independent in the Netherlands
There are administrative basics you must check before taking payment. Registering with the Chamber of Commerce - Kamer van Koophandel (KvK) is the usual step for sole traders (eenmanszaak). For taxes and VAT rules ask the Belastingdienst what you must declare - ask specifically about income tax, VAT obligations and how to submit quarterly returns.
If your profession is regulated, check the BIG-register to see if you must hold registration for certain titles. For background checks for work with vulnerable groups ask about a VOG - verklaring omtrent gedrag - from the Ministry of Justice and Security or via your municipality.
For handling client data, consult the Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens about GDPR requirements and what you must do for consent, record keeping and data security. For professional liability and practice insurance ask a qualified insurer what cover you need for treatments or advice.
- Register with KvK as needed
- Ask Belastingdienst about VAT and income tax obligations
- Check BIG-register for regulated professions
- Ask municipality or Ministry of Justice about VOG checks
- Consult Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens for GDPR duties
- Speak to an insurer about professional liability cover
What tends to go wrong in the first months
New independent practitioners commonly underestimate time spent on admin, marketing and follow-up. Booked hours are only part of the work - client messaging, bookkeeping and scheduling take time you should price into your plan.
Another common issue is unclear intake and refund policies. Without written terms, disputes about cancellations or expectations are harder to resolve. Set simple written policies and communicate them on booking pages and confirmation emails.
Finally, failing to track cashflow and taxes can create surprises. Keep a basic bookkeeping system from the first sale and separate business and personal accounts to avoid confusion.
- Underestimating admin and follow-up time
- No clear cancellation or refund policy
- Poor bookkeeping and tax preparation
- Insufficient insurance or unclear professional boundaries
How a Websta profile fits into this
A Websta profile can be a single page you send to anyone that lists your services, prices, photos, contact form and online booking. It serves as a concise public presence people can find through search or a marketplace listing.
On Websta the provider sets their own prices and card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. That means payments collected via the profile go to the bank account you register for payouts.
Use the profile to link to practical information - your intake form, cancellation policy and any required consent - so clients know what to expect before booking. Treat the page as a business card that also accepts bookings and payments.
- A single sharable page with services and booking
- You set your prices on the profile
- Card payments are paid out to your bank account through Stripe
- Use the page to host policies and intake instructions
Practical next steps
Start by listing services you can deliver reliably and the costs involved. Decide a simple first price and write a short intake script explaining who benefits most from your work.
Register with KvK if you plan to invoice or run the activity regularly, and ask Belastingdienst about VAT and reporting. Check whether your title or work falls under the BIG-register and whether you need a VOG. Put basic bookkeeping and a simple cancellation policy in place.
Create a Websta profile or another clear online page, add services and availability, and use it in messages, posts and flyers. Expect steady growth only after repeated, consistent effort across both face-to-face and online channels.
- Define services, costs and a first price
- Ask KvK and Belastingdienst about registration and taxes
- Check BIG-register and VOG requirements
- Set up basic bookkeeping and terms
- Publish a clear Websta profile and share it widely
Frequently asked questions
- Do I have to register with the KvK before taking payments?
- If you run an ongoing activity and issue invoices, you should register with the Kamer van Koophandel. Ask KvK whether your planned activity needs registration and whether you should register as an eenmanszaak.
- How do I know if my work requires BIG registration?
- Search the BIG-register to see if your profession or title is protected. If you work within a regulated profession, the register will show required registration and any protected titles.
- What taxes should I ask the Belastingdienst about?
- Ask Belastingdienst about income tax, whether you must charge VAT for your services and how to file quarterly returns. Explain your expected turnover and ask which deductions or schemes apply.
- Can I accept card payments through a Websta profile?
- Yes. Card payments from customers are paid out to the provider's own bank account through Stripe. You set your own prices and register the payout account.
- Do I need a VOG to work with children or vulnerable adults?
- Many organisations that work with vulnerable groups require a VOG. Ask the organisation or check with your municipality about applying for a VOG and whether it is necessary for your work.
About the numbers
Counts in this guide were read from the Websta catalogue when the text was written and are refreshed above from the live catalogue. Part of the catalogue was built from the public business register and is marked as such on each profile.
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