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Hire employees and contractors in the Netherlands

Remote’s guide to employing in the Netherlands.

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  • Capital city

    Amsterdam

  • Currency

    Euro
    (€, EUR)

  • Population size

    17,593,030
    (Nov 2021)

  • Languages spoken

    Dutch (official language), Frisian (official language in Frisia),

  • Availability

    Remote-Owned Local Entity

    We own our own entity in the countries where we operate to shield your company from risk and provide you and your employees with the signature Remote experience.

Facts & Stats

The Netherlands (Dutch: Nederland, informally Holland), is a country in Western Europe along the North Sea coast. In Europe, it consists of 12 provinces that border Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the northwest, with maritime borders in the North Sea with those countries and the United Kingdom. The Netherlands ranks among the highest in international indexes of press freedom, economic freedom, human development and quality of life, as well as happiness. Remote's CEO is Dutch!

  • Capital city

    Amsterdam

  • Currency

    Euro
    (€, EUR)

  • Languages spoken

    Dutch (official language), Frisian (official language in Frisia),

  • Population size

    17,593,030 (Nov 2021)

  • Ease of doing business

    Very easy

  • Cost of living index

    $$$$ (15 of 139 nations)

  • Payroll frequency

    Monthly

  • VAT - standard rate

    21%

  • GDP - real growth rate

    3,77% (2021 est.)

Grow your team in the Netherlands with Remote

Employing in the Netherlands requires employers to own a legal entity in the country and manage payroll, tax, benefits and compliance through their own in-country resources. The complexity of employment regulations in the Netherlands makes full compliance with employment laws a burdensome process.

Through Remote’s Global Employer of Record solution, your team is employed by our local legal entities in each country, and we take care of payroll, tax, benefits and compliance so you can focus on what matters most -- your people.

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Risks
of misclassification

The Netherlands, like many other countries, treats self-employed individuals or contractors and full-time workers differently and there are risks associated with misclassification. A new law is coming into force in 2020 that clarifies the types of workers and companies may be fined for misclassification.

Employing in the Netherlands

Employment law in the Netherlands is not contained under a single law. Instead it is governed by statutory regulations codified in (among other laws) the Dutch Civil Code, then furthermore governed by (among other things) Collective Labour Agreements (Dutch Collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst, CAO) in certain industries, internal regulations (if applicable) and the individual employment contract itself.

Employment law provides strong labor conditions and protections for employees, so employing people will generally be an important investment and commitment.

However, temp agencies are popular options for more flexible workforce arrangements. For these and many other reasons, the following are only guidelines in the broadest sense, and professional legal services are recommended when employing in Netherlands.

The official website for employment information is at the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment.

Public holidays

Below are national public holidays applicable for all regions in this country. Remote customers have access to a detailed list of regional public holidays within the Remote platform. Sign up now to access all public holiday information.

Minimum Wage

Minimum monthly wage is € 1.725 (+ 8% or 138 EUR a month in holiday allowance) per month for any employee over the age of 21.

Payroll Cycle

For customers of Remote, all employee payments will be made in equal monthly installments on or before the last working day of each calendar month, payable in arrears.

Onboarding Time

We can help you get a new employee started in the Netherlands fast. The minimum onboarding time we need is only 8 working days.

Our team ensures your employees are onboarded and paid as quickly as possible while keeping your business compliant with all local employment legislation. The minimum onboarding time begins after the employee submits all required information onto the Remote platform. The onboarding timeline is also dependent upon registration with local authorities.

For all non-nationals of the country of employment, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) will add three extra days to the total time to onboard. There may be extra time required if we need to follow-up on the right to work assessment.

Please note, payroll cut-off dates can impact the actual first day of employment. Remote has a payroll cut-off date of the 10th of the month unless otherwise specified.

Competitive benefits package in the Netherlands

Remote supports our clients by offering competitive benefits packages that will help you attract and retain the best talent across the globe! Our benefits specialists have done the research on norms and requirements in each local market and have crafted packages that will allow your employees to thrive, no matter what country they live in. 

Our benefits packages in the Netherlands are tailored to fulfil the local needs of your employees. Typically, our packages contain some or all of the following benefits:

  • Health Insurance
  • Dental Insurance
  • Vision Insurance
  • Mental Health Support
  • Pension or 401(K)
  • Life and Disability Insurance
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Local market insights

  • In the Netherlands, 50%* of employers offer supplemental health insurance to their workforce. (*based on 3rd-party market research from our partners)
  • The country has a robust public health system, and while supplemental health insurance is not required, it provides employees with access to a wider range of options for providers and specialists, as well as shorter wait times. Our plans also offer global coverage (excluding the US) to protect your employees when they are traveling outside their home country.

Our core benefits (which often include things like healthcare) are required in most countries where we hire. We do not require customers to offer benefits in the Netherlands due to its strong public system and local laws that protect us (and you!) against claims of non-discriminatory hiring practices. However, we do recommend that employers in the Netherlands offer benefits to their employees based on market standards. Note that we do not add a markup on any benefits premiums or administration costs.

If you'd like specific information about our benefits packages in the Netherlands, start onboarding your first employee with Remote today.

For more insight into fair equity and benefits best practices, download our Global Benefits Guide and share with the rest of your hiring team.

Calculate the cost to hire an employee
in the Netherlands

Taxes in the Netherlands

Learn how employment taxes and statutory fees affect your payroll and your employees’ paychecks in the Netherlands.

  • Employer

    • 5.49% - AOF laag (Disability insurance contribution) on a maximum of €59,706 EUR of taxable base

    • 6.75% - Heffings ZVW premie (Dutch health insurance contributions) on a maximum of €59,706 EUR of taxable base

    • 1,11% - Premie Whk gediff (Differentiated Premium Work Resumption Fund) on a maximum of €59,706 EUR of taxable base

    • 0.50% - Uniforme opslag kinderopvang (Uniform Childcare Allowance) on a maximum of €59,706 EUR of taxable base

    • 2.70 to 7.70% - AWF hoog (depending on contract) on a maximum of €59,706 EUR of taxable base

      The AWf premium has a low of 2.70% in 2022 a high of 7.70% in 2022. The premium an employer must pay for the employee depends on the type of employment contract (and note that these premiums are updated each year). You pay the low premium if the contract is in writing, set for an indefinite period, and not an on-call contract.

  • Employee

    • 17.90% - Old Age Pension (AOW) over € 35.472 (included in income taxes)

    • 9.65% - Long Term Care (WLZ) over € 35.472 (included in income taxes)

    • 0.10% - Orphans and widow/widower pension (ANW) over € 35.472 (included in income taxes)

    • 37.07% - Income tax for up to 69,398 Euro

    • 49.50% - Income tax for over 69,398 Euro

    • 49.50% - Income tax for employees without or awaiting BSN number (anoniementarief) - tax credits not applied until receiving BSN number and retroactively applied to start date upon receiving BSN number

    • up to 2888 EUR credit - Employees are entitled to a "general tax credit" (heffingskorting) of -6.007% per euro extra gained between 21,317 EUR stopping and 69,398 EUR annually. This is to be deducted from the income taxes.

    • up to 4260 EUR credit - Employees are entitled to a "labor tax credit" (arbeidskorting), this is to be deducted from the income taxes, of:

      Labour income Labour tax credit

      Until € 10.351 4,541% x labour income

      From € 10.351 to € 22.357 € 470 + 28,461% x (labour income - € 10.351)

      From € 22.357 to € 36.650 € 3.887 + 2,610% x (labour income - € 22.357)

      From € 36.650 to € 109.347 € 4.260 - 5,860% x (labour income - € 36.650)

      As of € 109.347 € 0 

Types of leave

Statutory leave

All full-time workers are legally entitled to 20 days paid holiday leave a year. In more detail, statutory holidays are based on the number of weekly working hours with the minimum being 4 times the number of weekly work hours. Vacation days carry over to the next year and expire if not taken within six months.

Pregnancy and maternity leave

Expecting mothers are entitled to 4-6 weeks of pregnancy leave (before the due date) and at least 10 weeks maternity leave (after childbirth). If the employee takes less than 6 weeks pregnancy leave before the birth, she is entitled to add the remaining amount (up to 2 weeks) to her maternity leave after the birth.

If the baby is born later than the due date, the employee's maternity leave begins after the actual birth and the total may therefore be longer than 16 weeks.

Parental leave

Employees with children aged up to 8 can take unpaid parental leave in the Netherlands. They are eligible as soon as they start working for you. You must allow this leave.

Other leave

  • Adoption or foster leave: upon adoption of a child or have taken in a foster child, employees are entitled to 6 weeks of adoption or foster leave. Applies to both parents.
  • Emergency and short absence leave: intended for unforeseen personal circumstances for which an employee has to take time off immediately. Examples include making arrangements for the care of a sick family member or in the event of a death in the family.
  • Short-term care leave: to provide essential care to parents, ill children who still live at home or partners. Only granted on the condition that the employee in question is the only person who can look after the ill person at that time.
  • Long-term care leave: when a child, partner or parent of the employee is seriously (i.e. life threateningly) ill and requires care, the employee can request long-term care leave.
  • Unpaid leave: the employee may take unpaid leave in consultation with the employer on a full-time or part-time basis. There is no legal requirements to unpaid leave.
  • Special or extraordinary leave: not statutory required, but may be part of the employment contract. May include leave for giving official notice of an intendned marriage, marriage of a family member, moving house, funeral of a family member, a service or wedding anniversary, an interview or for consulting a doctor.

Employment termination

Termination process

Employer in general has five options to terminate employment agreement:

  • Termination by mutual consent through a settlement agreement;
  • Termination proceedings before the Employment Insurance Agency (UWV);
  • Termination proceedings before sub-district courts;
  • Termination with consent of the employee;
  • Urgent dismissal of the employee, for example in case of theft or any other serious misconduct.

Notice period

The statutory notice period for an employer depends on the duration of employment, with a maximum of 4 months.

Probation periods

Duration of probation or trial period depends on the length of the employment contract. Probation periods cannot exceed two months. The probation period applies to both the employer and the employee.

Visa & Immigration

Visa Options

Depending on your employee's situation, we may be able to sponsor their visa application. Talk with our team today.

If Remote visa sponsorship isn't the best route for your employee, below are other possible visas they could apply for. We can also help with the visa application process.

These visa options should not be considered legal advice and are subject to change. The estimated time will vary per case.

Other visa options

  • Work Permit Exemption (International Commercial Trade Regulations Program)

    The Dutch International Commercial Trade Regulations (ICTR) Program came into force on 2017 and replaced the narrower Knowledge-Based Industry Pilot Program which ran as a test from July 2013 to June 2017. Under this work permit waiver program, Dutch companies can bring non-EU/EEA/Swiss foreign nationals to the Netherlands to perform activities as part of a pre-approved project related to e.g. the delivery of goods and services for a period of up to three years. Work permits are not required but a notification should be made to the Dutch Labour Authorities and a residence permit applied for stays of over 90 days.

    Time until employee can start work: 3 to 4 months

  • Cross-Border Worker

    You are going to work in the Netherlands, but you live in another EU Member State, such as Belgium or Germany.

    Time until employee can start work: 1 to 2 months

  • Van der Elst (Assignment from Within the EEA Over 90 Days)

    A type of visa or work permit available to non-EEA/EFTA citizens employed by and working for a company in an EU/EEA/EFTA country, that allows them to work for that company in another EEA/EFTA member state, subject to meeting certain eligibility conditions.

    Time until employee can start work: 2 weeks to 1 month

  • Highly Skilled Migrant Procedure (Expatcenter) to Certain Cities Only

    The Highly Skilled Migrant Program (HSM) or Knowledge Migrant (KM) Program is a very lenient and beneficial work and residence authorisation category for foreign nationals going to work and reside in the Netherlands and who meet certain criteria. It must be sponsored by a recognised sponsor with the IND (Dutch Immigration Authority). When submitted via one of the Expatcenters in a major city, this process can be further expedited. The One Stop Process is a streamlined process that requires the applicant to make just one visit to the authorities post-arrival: the registration and collection of residence permit is combined.

    Time until employee can start work: 1 to 4 months

  • Highly Skilled Migrant Procedure

    The Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) Program or Knowledge Migrant (KM) Program is a very lenient and beneficial work and residence authorisation category for foreign nationals going to work and reside in the Netherlands and who meet certain criteria. It must be sponsored by a recognised sponsor with the IND (Dutch Immigration Authority).

    Time until employee can start work: 1 to 4 months

  • Work Permit (Intra-Company Transfer)

    Companies that are transferring employees into the Netherlands but whose local entities are NOT registered with the IND as recognised sponsors under the Knowledge Migrant route may be able to follow a work permit procedure for intra-company transfers (ICT). Note that there are significant annual turnover requirements.

    Time until employee can start work: 2 to 6 months

  • Intra-Company Transfer Permit (EU Directive 2014/66)

    This process is the temporary residence authorisation for intra-company transfers (ICT), according to Directive 2014/66/EU. It is only applicable to assignees falling into management/specialist or trainee categories sent to the Netherlands for over 90 days from outside the EEA and has a maximum total duration of stay of three years. If an applicant meets qualifying criteria for this process, they may not apply under an alternative route (i.e. may not use the HSM category).

    Time until employee can start work: 1 to 6 months

Net Migration

In 2020, the Netherlands experienced a net migration of +33,720.

Best Destinations for Remote Work

From our Best Destinations for Remote Work report, the following made the top 100 list:

  • Amsterdam (official)
  • The Hague (de facto)
  • Amsterdam
  • Rotterdam
  • The Hague
  • Lisse
  • Valkenburg

Discover the rest of highly ranked cities for remote working and create your own custom list. Report

Tax Treaties

The Netherlands has a tax treaty with Albania, Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sint Maarten, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this site is for general guidance on matters of interest only. The application and impact of laws can vary widely based on the specific facts involved. Given the changing nature of laws, rules and regulations, and the inherent hazards of electronic communication, there may be delays, omissions or inaccuracies in information contained in this site. Accordingly, the information on this site is provided with the understanding that the authors and publishers are not herein engaged in rendering legal, accounting, tax, or other professional advice and services. As such, it should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or other competent advisors.

While we have made every attempt to ensure that the information contained in this site has been obtained from reliable sources, Remote is not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for the results obtained from the use of this information. All information in this site is provided “as is”, with no guarantee of completeness, accuracy, timeliness or of the results obtained from the use of this information, and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including, but not limited to warranties of performance, merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. In no event will Remote or employees thereof be liable to you or anyone else for any decision made or action taken in reliance on the information in this site or for any consequential, special or similar damages, even if advised on the possibility of such damages.

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