Bibob investigation

With a Bibob investigation, the municipality checks the reliability of your company and of the persons involved in your company. In this way, the municipality wants to prevent someone from misusing permits, subsidies or tenders for criminal activities. The municipality may conduct an investigation if you apply for a permit or subsidy, or if you participate in a tender. 

Approach

This is how a Bibob investigation works:

  • The municipality will send you a Bibob questionnaire.
  • You fill out the form completely and attach all requested supporting documents. If you do not do this? Then you will receive a negative Bibob recommendation.
  • The municipality investigates and may request assistance from the National Bibob Bureau.
  • You will be notified when the municipality deploys the National Bibob Bureau.
  • The National Bibob Bureau sends a recommendation to the municipality.
  • The municipality makes a decision.
Cost

If the municipality decides to conduct a Bibob investigation, the Bibob investigation is free of charge. 

Description

The municipality can also conduct the investigation at a later time. So even if you have already received the permit or subsidy or if you have already won the tender.

After its own investigation, the municipality can ask the National Bibob Bureau for help. This bureau advises the municipality and conducts additional research. 

Does it turn out that there is black money or criminally earned money in your business? Then the municipality can refuse or withdraw the license, subsidy or contract. A negative Bibob recommendation remains valid for 5 years.

Requirements

The municipality can investigate the background of an entrepreneur or a company in a number of cases. For example:

  • When applying for a liquor and hospitality license or an operating license
  • In applications for exemptions for evening stores
  • In applications for gaming facility permits
  • for applications for environmental permits for construction activities or the establishment or operation of certain waste facilities
  • When applying for a grant
  • in the formation of agreements relating to the acquisition or disposition of an immovable property
  • In procurement by the municipality in the construction, environmental and ICT sectors or
  • When you want to host a local or regional event.

The municipality does not conduct a Bibob investigation if regular laws or regulations already provide an independent ground for refusal for that application. 

Objection and appeal

You cannot object to an investigation or a negative advice from Bureau Bibob. However, you can object to the municipality's decision following an investigation. It is also possible to withdraw your application or tender. Then the municipality will not conduct the investigation.

Learn more

The national Bibob agency

Information about Bibob on the Justis website

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