- Are you just getting started as a sex worker? There are a few things you need to arrange properly.
- Permits, for example. And you must register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK)
- You can get STI tests free of charge and anonymously at the municipal health service (GGD)
- You can get various injections (vaccinations) that protect you against certain STIs
- There are locations on the internet where you can find clients. You can post an ad on an ad website
Arranging things
Are you just getting started as a sex worker? You’ll have to arrange a few things.
Permit
Do you work for an escort agency, brothel or some other proprietor? In that case, they will take care of the permit. You don’t have to do anything.
Do you work independently? Then you have to arrange your permit yourself. This differs from municipality to municipality.
Read more about permits
Read more about sex work locations
Chamber of Commerce
Do you work independently, so not for an escort agency or brothel, for example? Then you have to register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK). You can register in the category “Other services”. You don’t have to say you’re a sex worker.
The Chamber of Commerce will inform the tax authorities of your business. You don’t have to do anything.
Read more about the Chamber of Commerce
Bookkeeping
It is important to you to keep good financial records. So if you are audited, you will have everything neatly in order. You can do that yourself, for example using an online bookkeeping program.
You can also hire an accountant. This bookkeeper is sex worker-friendly. There are also other companies, but Aleka is specialized in working with sex workers.
Read more about taxes and sex work
Bank account
Do you work for a proprietor who pays you? Payments can be made to your personal bank account. Do you work independently? If you do, you will need a business account
Take an STI test
Are you a sex worker? Then get an STI test twice a year. You can do this at your doctor’s officer or for free at the municipal health service (GGD). Then you will know for sure whether you have an STI. And you will get medicine for it right away.
Protect yourself against virusses
If you work, you can become ill because of your work. This is called an occupational disease. For example, people who work in healthcare are more likely to contract diseases caused by viruses such as hepatitis B. They have a lot of contact with other people.
Sex workers also have a lot of physical contact. That is why they are more likely to contract diseases such as hepatitis B, MPox, HPV, or HIV. HPV can cause genital warts and sometimes cancer.
Fortunately, you can protect yourself.
You can get vaccinated against hepatitis B, Mpox, and HPV. There are medications (pills) available for HIV that reduce the risk of infection.
Vaccination against hepatitis B
As a sex worker, you sometimes come into contact with a client's semen, vaginal fluid, or blood. This can cause you to contract hepatitis B. Hepatitis B is a liver disease that can make you very ill if you do not take medication.
Is sex your work? Then you can get 3 free injections against hepatitis B from the GGD. This is called a vaccination. It will prevent you from contracting the disease.
Read more about hepatitis B vaccination
PrEP: a pill against HIV
PrEP is a pill that prevents you from getting HIV. You take the pill every day or only if you have sex. Do you have sex often? In that case, it’s best to take the medicine at the same time every day.
You need a prescription from your doctor or the health department (GGD) to get the medicine. You usually have to pay at least a part of the costs of PrEP yourself.
Mpox
- Mpox is a virus that you can get if you are very close to someone who has it. During sex, for example.
- Men who have sex with men are particularly susceptible to this virus.
- Mpox can cause symptoms.
- Condoms can reduce the risk of serious symptoms.
You can get vaccinated against Mpox. Read more about this on this page.
HPV vaccine
HPV can cause various types of cancer:
- Cervical cancer: this is the most common. Every year, more than 600 women develop cervical cancer. More than 200 women die from it.
- Penile cancer
- Anal cancer
- Throat cancer
HPV can also cause genital warts.
The HPV vaccine reduces your chances of getting HPV. This means you are less likely to develop these types of cancer.
You can get vaccinated against HPV. You often have to pay for this yourself. Ask your doctor for this vaccine. Or ask at the GGD. Or take a look at this page.
Finding clients online
Are you looking for clients? You can post an ad on the Internet. Please note:
- Choose an ad website that is in line with what you are offering
- Do not share personal information, such as your address or real name
Contact with other sex workers
Do you think it would be nice to sometimes talk to other sex workers? This could be about work, clients and how you deal with difficult responses from your environment. This can be done at various locations.
Properly organize your work affairs
Do you want to know more about your rights and obligations as a sex worker? And what about taxes, permits and working as a self-employed person (zzp’er)? You can find the information in various languages on Prostitutie Goed Geregeld.