Apply for an SNA certificate
Applying for an SNA certificate starts with choosing the activities you want inspected. SNA works with NEN 4400-1, NEN 4400-2 and a separate standard for self-employed workers . You then choose an independent inspection body and register with SNA. To prepare, also use the requirements checklist.
The SNA certificate is a private, voluntary certificate. It is not a legal certificate and it does not give automatic approval under the Wtta (Dutch Act on Licensing of Temporary Labour). The Wtta route has its own application and decision by the NAU.
The NEN 4400 and SNA guide puts the standard parts and routes side by side. This page only covers signing up, being inspected and getting registered.
Last checked: 5 September 2026.
How the application works
1. Define your activities and standard part
Describe what you actually do: making staff available, contracting work, intermediation, intermediary contracting or a combination. For Dutch and foreign companies, look at NEN 4400-1 versus NEN 4400-2. A trade name is not enough. Note the legal entity and the registration number.
2. Choose an inspection body
SNA publishes a current list of inspection bodies it has an agreement with. Check that the body is authorised for your standard part and activities. Then agree on the inspection contract and the documents the body wants to receive in advance.
3. Register with SNA
Complete the sign-up process in full and include a recent extract from the KvK (Dutch Chamber of Commerce). According to the SNA FAQ, this extract may be no older than three months. The inspection can only take place after SNA has processed the sign-up administratively and given permission.
4. Have the first inspection carried out
The inspector assesses, among other things, identity, tax returns, wage payments, right to work, and how hours, wages and invoices fit together. Prepare evidence for each period and each activity. Use inspection and accreditation to tell the difference between the inspector’s findings and SNA supervision.
5. Fix deviations and show it
A minor deviation can be resolved within a repair period, under conditions. A major deviation, or insufficient repair, can lead to suspension or removal. Record not only the correction, but also the cause and the measure that prevents it from happening again.
6. Check your registration
After a positive inspection result and processing by SNA, the company is added to the register. Then download the current declaration of registration. How long that registration stays valid is set out on the validity page. A pending application is not yet an SNA certificate. See how to check the register.
Which activities can you have inspected?
The SNA register shows four activities. The descriptions below are our own summary, not SNA’s text. According to a news item from Flexnieuws, Intermediation and Intermediary contracting were added as of 1 January 2026.
| Activity | Example |
|---|---|
| Making temporary workers available | Employees work under the direction of the client |
| Contracting work | You take on a job and direct the work yourself |
| Intermediation | You bring a client and a self-employed worker together; they sign the contract themselves |
| Intermediary contracting | You are the contracting party for both the client and the self-employed worker |
Make sure the activity matches your contract and your practice. You can read what the inspector checks in the NEN 4400 audit. For example, an SNA listing for contracting work does not automatically mean that making labour available has been inspected.
An SNA certificate can reduce the risk for a client. It is not an automatic indemnity for payroll tax and not a full supplier audit. Liability rules are set by the Dutch Tax Administration (Belastingdienst).
Frequently asked questions
How quickly will I get the certificate?
That depends on the body you choose, the availability of evidence and any repair points. SNA does not publish a general processing time that applies to every company.
Can a start-up be inspected straight away?
SNA states that a company must have been active for at least three months, and that wage payments or remittances must have taken place, before an initial inspection can go ahead.
Is SNA the same as a Wtta licence?
No. The SNA certificate is a private certificate. For the Wtta, the NAU decides on legal approval, and additional conditions apply.