Dutch businesses that play music pay Buma (BumaStemra) for composers, lyricists and publishers, and Sena for performers and producers. In some sectors one invoice for both comes through mijnlicentie.nl.
| Who | What for | |
|---|---|---|
| BumaStemra | Buma/Stemra | Public performance for composers, lyricists and publishers |
| Sena | Sena | Designated collector of the equitable remuneration (art. 15 WNR) |
| Service Centrum | Service Centrum BumaStemra en Sena (mijnlicentie.nl) | Licences and one invoice for both in some sectors |
A business playing music in the Netherlands normally needs a Buma licence for the authors' rights and a Sena licence for the equitable remuneration (billijke vergoeding) for recorded music. In some sectors the Service Centrum of BumaStemra and Sena handles both with one invoice through mijnlicentie.nl.
According to the FAQs, no licence is needed if the premises are not publicly accessible and no more than two full time employees work there.
Fees depend on the use of music (background or entertainment), visitor intensity, public accessibility, area in m2 or number of full time employees, and sector. Sena's 2026 general licences price hospitality by m2, general retail by the number of full time employees who can hear the music, and supermarkets and department stores by m2. Tariffs are annual and VAT exempt, and Sena tariffs carry a RAAP/WPPT surcharge of 26.6% for 2022 to 2026.
No example amount is given, because the Sena 2026 tariff table could not be read unambiguously; see the official 2026 PDF.
Sena says consumer streaming services such as Spotify are for private use only and not allowed in a business setting. BumaStemra adds that Spotify and Apple Music terms allow only private use, and a BumaStemra or Sena licence does not change this.
Article 7 of the Neighbouring Rights Act (WNR) allows a commercially released phonogram to be played in public without permission, provided an equitable remuneration is paid. Article 15 says the payment must go to the body designated by the Minister, Sena, which collects to the exclusion of others.
So for commercially released recordings Sena's claim exists even if the authors' side is licensed directly. Whether royalty free or library recordings count as released for commercial purposes is not addressed on the pages retrieved, so that point is unclear.
Sena's discount of up to 33.33% applies only if music use is self reported and paid on time. If a field representative finds unreported use, the base tariff plus statutory interest and collection costs is charged.
Dr.DIO Studio makes its own electronic and ambient music, no Dr.DIO track is registered with any collecting society, and the Business plan ($14.99 a month per venue, 14 days free) gives the venue a direct public playback license and a certificate for Dr.DIO music.
Dr.DIO works are not in Buma's repertoire, but Sena collects by law for commercially released recordings even when the authors are licensed directly. Whether Dr.DIO recordings count as commercially released is unclear, so a Dutch venue should expect a possible Sena fee and ask Sena in writing.
Any other music in the venue, such as radio, TV, live music or other playlists, still needs the usual licences.
This page explains the general rules as published by the societies and laws listed above, checked in October 2026. It is not legal advice; fees and rules change, so confirm with the society before you decide.
It depends on sector, area or full time employees and use of music. Sena's 2026 general retail tariff goes by employees who can hear the music; see the official tariff PDF.
Sena prices horeca background music by m2, and Buma has its own tariffs. In some sectors you get one invoice through mijnlicentie.nl.
Yes, for commercially released recordings. Sena is the designated collector of the equitable remuneration by law.
No. Sena and BumaStemra both say consumer streaming services are for private use only.
Not necessarily. Sena's claim exists for commercially released recordings, and whether library music counts is unclear.
mijnlicentie.nl is the joint service of BumaStemra and Sena; the price is the sum of the tariffs for your sector.
