Are you a self-employed driver or freelancer who transports goods for others with a load capacity of 500 kilos or more? Then you need a licence from the NIWO (National and International Road Transport Organisation). This is also known as the Euro Licence. What exactly does this licence involve, when do you need it, and what requirements must you meet to obtain one? You can read all about it in this blog.
What is a NIWO licence?
The NIWO permit is the Euro Licence applied for by transport companies. This business permit is required if you work in commercial freight transport. So, if you want to start your own business in this field, you need to apply for this permit. In short, you need one if you:
- Transport goods belonging to another party
- Paid by a client
- Transports goods with a payload capacity of more than 500 kilos (see vehicle registration certificate)
Requirements for obtaining a NIWO permit
To obtain a NIWO licence, you must meet four requirements.
- Effective establishment: you must be registered with the KVK and have business premises in the Netherlands. You must also have at least one vehicle at your disposal.
- Professional competence: One person within the company must be appointed as transport manager (often the owner). This person must be professionally competent, as demonstrated by a recognised professional qualification in ‘Road Freight Transport Entrepreneurship’. We also offer this course at NuVrachtwagen, of course.
- Good repute: You must have a VOG (Certificate of Good Conduct).
- Sufficient financial capacity: The risk-bearing capital must be at least €9.000 for the first vehicle. An additional €5.000 is required for each new vehicle. This can be demonstrated using the annual financial statements or opening balance sheet (+ a statement from an expert affiliated with NBA, NOAB or RB).
Obtaining a NIWO licence
If you meet the above requirements and have collected the necessary supporting documents, it’s time to apply for the NIWO licence. You can do this via the NIWO business portal: Ondernemersloket.niwo.nl. Select the ‘Euro licence’ and log in using eHerkenning (level 3). Answer the questions and upload the supporting documents for your application. You can then pay, and your application will be reviewed. The NIWO sometimes requests additional transport information, supporting documents or clarification.
Once the application is complete, the processing time is up to eight weeks, but applications are often assessed within one to three weeks. If your application is approved, you will receive the decision notice, a NIWO Euro licence valid for five years and the licence certificates.
Renewing a NIWO permit
The NIWO Euro Licence is valid for five years and can then be renewed. You must continue to meet the licence requirements. For example, if the transport manager with the professional qualification steps down, a replacement with the required professional qualification must be appointed.
What does a NIWO licence cost?
The cost of a NIWO permit is a one-time fee of €247 for processing the application, plus €26,25 for issuing the Euro Licence. The renewal fee is €126. In addition, you pay an annual levy of €26,50 per licence. VAT does not apply (NIWO is a public-law independent administrative body). The prices are based on August 2025 and may be subject to change. View the current rates here.
For a complete overview of all the costs involved in obtaining a NIWO permit, read our article: What are the costs of a NIWO permit?
Important information about the Euro Licence
The NIWO Euro licence is tied to a business and may therefore not be used by anyone else. Don’t have a Euro licence yet? Then you are not allowed to drive. So make sure you submit your application in good time. Want to know whether your vehicle has a payload of more than 500 kilos? Use the RDW vehicle registration check and look under Technical > Features > Payload. If the payload is less than 500 kilos, you do not need a Euro licence. You can optionally apply to the RWD to reduce your vehicle’s payload.
