Free business email in the Netherlands: set up naam@jouwbedrijf.nl

Dutch ZZP'ers and small businesses are among the most digital in Europe, yet plenty still send offertes from a ziggo.nl or Gmail address. A .nl domain is cheap and open, and the mailboxes on it can be free. This guide sets up naam@jouwbedrijf.nl end to end, including DNS and connecting Outlook and your phone.

Quick answer

Register jouwbedrijf.nl with any SIDN-accredited registrar, create a free OquMail workspace, add the domain, paste four DNS records, create mailboxes. Up to 15 mailboxes are free with no card, so the domain is your only cost.

Domain choice: .nl or .com

The .nl domain is administered by SIDN and is one of the most-used country domains in the world. It is open to anyone; registrants outside the Netherlands need a Dutch address for legal correspondence, which registrars typically provide. Registrars include TransIP, Mijndomein, Hostnet, Antagonist, Argeweb and many more. Dutch customers strongly expect .nl; a .com is common among startups and exporters.

• .nl: the default for Dutch businesses; open, instant, inexpensive
• .com: fine for international businesses; register the .nl too
• .eu: occasionally used by companies trading across the EU
• Register in the company name as it appears at the KvK so it stays with the business

Why Dutch customers trust a domain address

Offertes and facturen with a KvK number are expected to come from the company domain, and accounts departments check it before paying. Bol.com and Marktplaats sellers moving to B2B, ZZP consultants, installers, and web agencies all deal with clients who make that check. A domain address also keeps info@ and administratie@ with the business when a freelancer or employee moves on.

Step by step

1. Register jouwbedrijf.nl with an SIDN-accredited registrar such as TransIP or Mijndomein.
2. Create a free OquMail workspace at oqumail.com. No card.
3. Add the domain in the dashboard and copy the four DNS records.
4. In the registrar’s DNS panel (TransIP: Domain → DNS; Mijndomein: Domeinen → DNS-instellingen) add the MX, SPF, DKIM and DMARC records.
5. Click Verify. The live check shows which record is still missing.
6. Create mailboxes: info@, administratie@, and one per person, up to 15.
7. Send a test from webmail, then add the account to Outlook, Apple Mail or the phone mail app with the settings below.

The four DNS records OquMail needs

Dutch registrars often pre-set MX records for their bundled webmail. Delete them before adding OquMail's, and keep only one TXT starting with v=spf1 on the root.

• MX — host @, value mail.oqumail.com, priority 10
• SPF (TXT at @) — v=spf1 MX (Mail Exchanger — where incoming email is delivered) a:mail.oqumail.com ~all
• DKIM (TXT at your selector ._domainkey) — v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=… (the exact key is shown in your OquMail dashboard)
• DMARC (TXT at _dmarc) — v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com

OquMail connection settings

• Incoming (IMAP): mail.oqumail.com, port 993, SSL/TLS
• Outgoing (SMTP): mail.oqumail.com, port 587, STARTTLS
• Username: your full email address (you@yourdomain.com)
• Password: the same password you use for OquMail webmail

What it costs

A .nl renewal is inexpensive and payable by iDEAL at Dutch registrars. The email is free: OquMail's free plan has no card step and includes 15 mailboxes, 3 domains, 5 GB per mailbox, webmail, IMAP/SMTP, delivery logs and a send API. Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 charge per user per month, which a ZZP'er or a small VOF does not need for basic mailboxes.

Pitfalls common in the Netherlands

• Using a ziggo.nl, kpnmail.nl or Gmail address for the business. It looks private and cannot be handed over.
• Bundled registrar mailboxes with no DKIM: offertes land in junk at corporate clients using Microsoft 365.
• Choosing SSL on port 587 in Outlook. It must be STARTTLS.
• Not setting DMARC. Dutch company domains are a frequent target for fake invoices; publish p=none at minimum.
• Forgetting to update your KvK contact details and Google Business Profile with the new address.

Common questions

Can a ZZP'er register a .nl without a KvK number?

Yes. SIDN does not require a KvK number, though registering in your business name is sensible.

Does it work with Outlook and my phone?

Yes. Add an IMAP account with the settings above in Outlook, Apple Mail or the Gmail app.

What are the limits?

15 mailboxes, 3 domains, 5 GB per mailbox, no expiry.