NL Patent Office

Speaking to an advisor

If you are a Dutch entrepreneur, scientist, researcher, student or any other interested party in the Netherlands, you can speak to one of our patent advisors. If you would like to know how patent information affects you or if you require individual support in searching databases, you can make an appointment.

The advisors devote approximately one hour to answering your specific questions and to show you how NL Patent Office can be of service with our products. You can make an appointment free of charge by contacting the public information office by e-mailaddress This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone number +31 88 602 60 00.

Local advice for SME entrepreneurs in the Netherlands
NL Patent Office works in collaboration with Syntens. Advisors of NL Patent Office work at a number of Syntens offices. SME entrepreneurs in the Netherlands can arrange a meeting with an advisor at an office in their local region. Our advisors can also visit your company if required in order to answer specific queries relating to patents and in order to demonstrate how patent information can support the company with innovation.

Obligation of confidentiality
All employees of NL Patent Office have a duty to observe confidentiality. That means that you may speak freely with them about your idea or invention.

Local advice for 'technostarters' in the Netherlands
Various regional Chambers of Commerce are organising consultations for 'technostarters' (new companies based on a new technical invention) in the Netherlands in partnership with TechnoPartner (an organisation promoting innovation) and the Dutch Association of Inventors (Nederlandse Orde van Uitvinders; NOVU). The NOVU coaches people to become familiar with starting up an innovative company. They have regular contact with the Netherlands Patent Office and have a thorough knowledge of intellectual property rights.

A 'technostarter' is a person who begins establishing a company on the basis of a new technical invention. It is also possible for a technostarter to apply an existing technology in a new way. During Technostarter consultations, an innovative entrepreneur is provided with information with regard to protecting knowledge, funding, technology, marketing and setting up a company plan as part of a face-to-face meeting. This enables the technostarter to avoid the common pitfalls involved in the complex process from developing an idea to bringing it on the market. This information is only provided to entrepreneurs, scientists, researchers, students and other interested parties in the Netherlands.

More information
Further information about the consultations can be found on the website of the Chamber of Commerce. The locations and dates of the consultations are available on the website of TechnoPartner.