Bibob investigation
What is it?
If you apply for a permit or grant, or participate in a competitive bidding process, the municipality may conduct an investigation. Through this investigation, the municipality verifies the integrity of your business and of the individuals involved in your business. In this way, the municipality assesses whether there is a high risk that the permit, grant, or competitive bidding process could be misused for purposes such as money laundering.
The municipality may also conduct the investigation at a later date. This means that even if you have already obtained the permit or grant, or have already won the contract, the municipality may still investigate your business.
If the municipality still has doubts after conducting its own investigation, it may ask the Bibob Bureau to conduct an investigation.
If the investigation reveals that your business is handling illicit funds or money obtained through criminal activity, the municipality may refuse or revoke the permit, subsidy, or contract.
How does it work?
In certain cases, the municipality may investigate the background of an entrepreneur or a business. For example:
- when applying for a permit or grant, or if you already have one
- for municipal tenders in the construction, environmental, and IT sectors
- when applying for permits under the Housing Act
- when applying for a liquor and restaurant license or an operating license
- in real estate transactions in which the municipality is a party
- if you would like to organize a local or regional event
- if you want to import fireworks
There must be sufficient grounds for a Bibob investigation. The municipality may only conduct a Bibob investigation (or have one conducted) if its own resources are insufficient to carry out the investigation.
Objections and Appeals
It is not possible to file an objection to a follow-up investigation by the Bibob Bureau. However, you can withdraw your application. In that case, the municipality will not proceed with the investigation.
Municipal policy guidelines
Additional information
Documents available for download:
- Read aloud Appendix to the Bibob questionnaire regarding other parties involved and persons with decision-making authority.pdf with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Bibob Questionnaire: General Permits (excluding environmental building permits).pdf with ReadSpeaker docReader
- Read aloud Bibob Questionnaire for Environmental Building Permit.pdf with ReadSpeaker docReader