Size criteria: which Dutch annual accounts must you prepare?
Your regime depends on balance sheet total, net turnover and number of employees. If you exceed two of the three limits two years in a row, you move up a class.
The four size classes
| Size class | Balance sheet total | Net turnover | Employees | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-entity | ≤ € 450.000 | ≤ € 900.000 | < 10 | art. 2:395a DCC |
| Small entity | ≤ € 7,5 mln | ≤ € 15 mln | < 50 | art. 2:396 DCC |
| Medium-sized entity | ≤ € 25 mln | ≤ € 50 mln | < 250 | art. 2:397 DCC |
| Large entity | > € 25 mln | > € 50 mln | ≥ 250 | Title 9 Book 2 DCC (in full) |
Two-out-of-three criterion over two consecutive financial years (art. 2:395a to 2:398 DCC). Thresholds as applicable to financial years starting on or after 1 January 2024.
What does each class mean?
Micro-entity
The micro-entity has the lightest regime of Title 9 Book 2 DCC. It prepares an abridged balance sheet and profit and loss account (art. 2:395a(4) and (5) DCC). Only the abridged balance sheet is made public, under paragraphs 3, 4 and 8, with the applicable disclosures at the bottom; a management report is not mandatory.
Small entity
Small entities prepare a balance sheet, profit and loss account and abridged notes, but only make an abridged balance sheet with notes public (art. 2:396(8) DCC). They are exempt from audit and from the management report (art. 2:396(7) DCC).
Medium-sized entity
Medium-sized entities are subject to an audit requirement (art. 2:393 DCC) and prepare a management report. When making the accounts public they may simplify the balance sheet and profit and loss account somewhat and omit some of the notes (art. 2:397 DCC).
Large entity
Large entities apply Title 9 Book 2 DCC without size exemptions: balance sheet, profit and loss account, notes and management report, with a mandatory audit. The Dutch Accounting Standards (RJ) additionally require a cash flow statement (RJ 360).
Frequently asked questions
What if I exceed a limit?
A change of class only takes effect when you exceed (or fall below) two of the three limits in two consecutive financial years. A one-off spike does not change your regime.
Can I prepare annual accounts without an accountant?
Yes. For micro and small entities (art. 2:395a and 2:396 DCC) there is no audit requirement: you may prepare and file the annual accounts yourself. Only medium-sized and large entities need an audit by an accountant (art. 2:393 DCC).
Does Jaarrekening.io work with my bookkeeping package?
Yes, via an export: you import an XAF audit file or a trial balance in Excel or CSV. Where RGS codes are included, the mapping follows from those codes; otherwise the AI makes a proposal that you check. Direct links per package are in preparation and not yet released.
Preparing Dutch annual accounts?
Your first set of annual accounts is free, for every size class. Create an account and prepare the annual accounts of your Dutch company under Title 9 of Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code.
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