Hire in Netherlands,
compliantly,
without the complexity.

The Netherlands combines world dominance in semiconductor lithography (ASML in Eindhoven) with Europe's top tech headquarters and fastest internet exchange (AMS-IX).

Key Economic Clusters

• Brainport Eindhoven & High-Tech Hardware: Global center for semiconductor equipment (ASML, NXP, Philips), robotics, and photonics.
• Amsterdam FinTech & European Tech HQs: Global payment giant Adyen, Booking.com, and EMEA headquarters for leading SaaS enterprises.
• Rotterdam Port Logistics & AgriTech: Europe's largest port and world's #2 agricultural exporter through high-tech automated greenhouses (Wageningen).

Regulated by Book 7 of the Burgerlijk Wetboek (BW) and sectoral Collective Labour Agreements (CAOs).

• Probation Period (*Proeftijd*): Strictly regulated: 0 days for contracts <= 6 months; maximum 1 month for fixed-term contracts (6 months to 2 years); maximum 2 months for indefinite contracts.
• Chain Provision (*Ketenregeling*): A maximum of 3 consecutive fixed-term contracts over a maximum duration of 36 months before the relationship automatically converts to an indefinite permanent contract.

• Standard Hours: 36 to 40 hours per week (typically 8 hours/day over 4.5 to 5 days; the Netherlands has Europe's highest rate of flexible and part-time professional work).
• Working Hours Act (*Arbeidstijdenwet*): Maximum statutory limits of 12 hours per shift and 60 hours per week, with an average limit of 48 hours over 16 weeks.

Annual Leave & Mandatory 8% Vakantiegeld

• Annual Paid Vacation: Statutory minimum is **4× weekly working hours (20 working days for full-time)**, with 25 to 30 days standard in the technology and professional sectors.
• Mandatory Holiday Allowance (*Vakantiegeld*): Employers must pay a mandatory bonus equal to at least **8.0% of the employee's gross annual salary**, traditionally paid out as a lump sum in **May**.

2-Year Statutory Sick Pay Obligation

Under Dutch law, employers are legally obligated to continue paying at least 70% of salary (often 100% in year 1) for up to 104 weeks (2 full years) of continuous sickness under the Gatekeeper Improvement Act (*Wet verbetering poortwachter*).

Maternity & Partner Leave

• Maternity Leave (*Zwangerschapsverlof*): 16 weeks paid at 100% via the UWV (6 weeks prenatal + 10 weeks postnatal).
• Partner Leave (*Geboorteverlof*): 1 week fully paid by employer, plus up to 5 additional weeks paid at 70% via the UWV.

The 30% Tax Ruling (*30%-regeling*) for Skilled Migrants

Highly skilled foreign experts recruited from abroad who meet specific salary thresholds can receive a substantial tax-free allowance on up to 30% of their gross taxable salary to cover extra-territorial relocation costs, administered through the *Belastingdienst*.

Social Security (Werknemersverzekeringen & Volksverzekeringen)

Personal Income Tax (Box 1): 36.97% (on income up to €75,518/yr) and 49.50% top bracket on excess, withheld monthly via payroll tax declarations (*Loonheffing*).

Strict Prior Approval Dismissal System

Under Dutch law, an employer cannot unilaterally dismiss a permanent employee without prior authorization from either the **UWV (for economic redundancy or 2+ years long-term sickness)** or the **Sub-District Court (Kantonrechter for personal conduct or performance reasons)**, making mutual separation agreements (*Vaststellingsovereenkomst – VSO*) standard market practice.

• Statutory Transition Payment (*Transitievergoeding*): 1/3 of monthly salary per completed year of service from the very first day of employment (capped at €94,000 or 1 year's salary).
• Notice Periods: 1 month (< 5 yrs service), 2 months (5–10 yrs), 3 months (10–15 yrs), and 4 months (>= 15 yrs service).

• Instant Access to World-Class Dutch Engineers: Onboard software architects and hardware specialists in Amsterdam or Eindhoven in days.
• 30% Ruling & Kennismigrant Visa Sponsorship: EOR is an IND-recognized sponsor capable of sponsoring Highly Skilled Migrant Visas and securing 30% Ruling tax savings.
• UWV, Gatekeeper Act & Sick Leave Management: Flawless compliance with complex 2-year sick leave reintegration laws and Vakantiegeld accounting.