More new entrepreneurs and fewer business closures in the first quarter of 2026

Starting a business continues to appeal to many people. In the first quarter of 2026, the number of new businesses increased compared with the first three months of 2025. At the same time, fewer entrepreneurs stopped trading, either voluntarily or because of bankruptcy. Despite uncertainty arising from geopolitical developments, which are putting considerable pressure on energy costs in particular, many aspiring entrepreneurs feel ready to take the step and register their own business with the KvK.

Business numbers increase by 0.9%

According to the KvK, just over 2.6 million businesses were listed in the Business Register at the end of the first quarter of 2026. This is almost 1% more than at the end of the first quarter of 2025. The number of new businesses rose by 2% compared with the first quarter of 2025. According to the KvK, this marks the end of the previous downward trend.

Many sectors saw an increase in new businesses, although numbers fell in health and social care, and in arts, culture, sport and recreation. The decline in these sectors is probably caused by uncertainty about regulations concerning false self-employment. Healthcare institutions are more hesitant to hire self-employed professionals because of concerns about financial consequences if they cannot demonstrate that someone is genuinely self-employed rather than avoiding an employment relationship.

This also plays a role in jobs in the cultural sector.

The number of business closures falls

For the first time in two and a half years, the number of entrepreneurs closing their businesses fell, by 7.2%. Josette Dijkhuizen, an endowed professor and entrepreneur, suspects that self-employed professionals who were already unsure about continuing had already stopped, which would explain why closures are now declining for the first time. In addition, the number of declared bankruptcies was almost 11% lower than in the first quarter of 2025.

Uncertainty for entrepreneurs

Dijkhuizen notes that entrepreneurs still face uncertainty. The global geopolitical situation means that the number of new businesses is not yet increasing dramatically. People currently in employment are less likely to make the move, fearing that their business may not be as successful as they hope. Closing a business means that the former entrepreneur must try to find employment again or perhaps start a business in a different field.

Low consumer confidence naturally also affects whether entrepreneurs succeed. For this reason, Josette Dijkhuizen argues that the renewed increase in new businesses in the Netherlands does not tell the whole story about the economy.

Is now a good time to start a business?

The fact that more businesses were started in the first quarter of 2026 is a positive sign in itself. It suggests that entrepreneurs apparently have confidence. This trend continues into the second quarter of 2026. If you want to start your own business, it is wise to research its feasibility and likelihood of success beforehand.

Ask questions such as: how much competition is there, and how well are those businesses doing? You should also carefully consider the costs involved in starting a business: purchasing materials, tools or other supplies, leasing a car and renting office space. You can save on the last of these by working from home. You can use a virtual office such as MrKantoor to obtain a business registration address.

This keeps your home address private at the KvK without taking on the costs and commitments of renting business premises.