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Contracting in the Netherlands

Here’s everything you need to know about contracting in the Netherlands.

Our Solutions

Employed

Limited
Company

Employer of Record
(EOR)

Local Partners

In each country, we work with leading local accounting and taxation experts to ensure that we and those who depend on us stay entirely within the law.

100% Compliant

We have the necessary licences, proven experience and demonstrable track record to provide you with all the national and international payroll, contract management, tax and immigration services that you need.

Global Presence

We have offices in Switzerland (Head Office), the United Kingdom, Germany, Luxembourg, Cyprus, China, India, Malaysia and the UAE.

Cost Efficient

We listen carefully to you, understand your personal requirements and needs, and then we collaborate with you to provide our services at reasonable prices.

About Us

Access Financial is the leading global provider of contract management, outsourced payroll and umbrella services. We offer customised and compliant solutions to corporate clients, recruitment agencies and professional contractors. We specialise in mitigating tax liability, fully subscribing to labour law and supporting immigration.

FAQs

Please check out our FAQs below. Don’t see an answer to your question? Feel free to contact us

With just a few clicks, you can calculate your take-home pay in the Netherlands and choose the optimal solution to get the most out of your contract. Use the app below to calculate your possible net retention in the Netherlands.

Employment

This is a standard form of employment – you officially work for a company who pays you a monthly salary.

Pros:

  • Enrollment in the social security system, which includes a pension plan, paid time off and sick leave.
  • Stable monthly paycheck.
  • Income tax is deducted from your salary, so you do not need to worry about calculating how much you have to pay.

Cons:

  • Lower retention rate compared to other solutions due to social security payments.
  • More and more companies are looking towards independent contractors rather than employees, so it could be more difficult to find such employment, especially as a foreigner.
  • Less flexibility – you do not get to choose the projects that you can work on, you must work on the tasks assigned to you by your employer.
  • Formal working hours – you may have to work “9-5”, as determined by your employment contract, rather than being able to determine your own working hours.

Self-Employment

This type of employment means that you are a freelancer – a company pays you to do a specific job, and you get remunerated, but you are not an official employee. You can either charge by the hour, or offer one invoice after you complete the project you were hired for.

Pros:

  • Possibility of gaining a higher rate of pay.
  • Freedom to choose projects that interest you.
  • Freedom to choose your own working schedule.
  • Can deduct your expenses from any sales tax you have to pay.
  • If you just started your business and have a low turnover, you could be exempt from filing a VAT return.

Cons:

  • No social security benefits.
  • You will need to sort out payments of income tax and social contributions yourself, or you could consider engaging a payroll company like Access Financial.
  • There can be a fine line between self-employment and regular employment. If, for example, you end up doing too much work exclusively for a specific company, you could be classified by an audit as falsely self-employed, which can result in very hefty fines and the possibility of some legal action against you/your client.

Limited Company

At Access Financial we specialise in enabling contractors/freelancers from EU and EFTA Member States to utilise their Limited Company for contracting in the Netherlands.

How it works?

If you have an existing Limited Company you may be able to utilise this (depending upon the circumstances).
Your Limited company will pay you a reasonable and justifiable salary for your services while working on your contract in the Netherlands. Any remaining profits, after tax, may be distributed to the shareholder(s) by way of dividend.

Pros:

  • The process is quick and easy and can be arranged within 24 hours.
  • Possibility of gaining a higher rate of pay.
  • Reduction of income tax by calculating justified business-related expenses
  • All income and losses are attributed to the company as opposed to you personally.

Cons:

  • Limited Company solution is suitable only for EU citizens and EFTA members.
  • Fees for incorporation (in case you don’t already have a registered Limited Company)
  • As a Director/Owner of your own limited company, you have some significant responsibilities in regard to the company activities and reporting obligations. To navigate such responsibilities, it is best advised to engage professional advisors and accountants, such as Access Financial and our sister company Access Tax and Accounting Limited.

Regular Paid Work (Employee)

This is the most standard work visa if you want to live and work in the Netherlands for a single employer.

Requirements:

  • Employment contract with a company in the Netherlands
  • Earn at least the minimum wage if you are over 23
  • If you are a foreign national, the employer must prove that the work could not be filled by a Dutch or other EU/EAA national.

Highly-skilled Migrant

This type of visa is for individuals who fall under a very specific criteria; foreign workers who will make a contribution to the Dutch knowledge-based economy.

Requirements:

  • Employment contract with a company or research institute in the Netherlands
  • Earn a minimum monthly wage of 3,299 EUR (under 30) or 4,500 EUR (over 30).
  • Employer must be a recognized sponsor of the IND

EU Blue Card

This is a visa for foreign academics seeking to work in the Netherlands.

Requirements:

  • Employment contract that is valid for at least 12 months
  • Minimal monthly wage of 5,200 EUR
  • A higher education diploma that has been evaluated by Nuffic

Self-Employment Work Visa

This is a visa for self-employed individuals, freelancers and entrepreneurs, which includes a residence permit. This has the strictest requirements of all the types of visas.

You need to prove that your services can bring value to the Dutch economy. This is done with a point-based system by the RVO (Netherlands Enterprise Agency), the requirements of which include things like experience, business plans, innovation, education and employment opportunities.

In general, for most foreign workers, you will need either a work permit (TWV), or a combined work and residence permit (GVVA). In addition, if you are not a resident of a Schengen country, you need a provisional residence permit with which you can initially enter the country.

EU, EAA, Switzerland

Nationals of the following countries only need a valid password or ID card – no work or residence permits required.

Other foreign nationals

If your employment will last less than 3 months, you only need a work permit. For longer times, you need to have a combined work and residence permit (GWWA) – this is a residence permit with additional permission to work for a specified employer.

As an Employer of Record, we conclude an agreement with you and your client. We become your legal employer while your client maintains control over your work relationship, ethics, tasks, and daily responsibilities.

Why is this needed?

Not all companies have registered legal entities in the countries where they need employees. Moreover, not all companies want to bother with payroll, work permits, taxes, social security, and in general paperwork when employing workers. That’s why it’s more profitable and convenient for them to turn to an EOR provider (such as Access Financial) who already has local experience and can take on all the worries associated with hiring employees and be responsible for their paperwork and compliance.

Here are just some of the services we offer in the Netherlands:

  • Assistance in obtaining the necessary visas/work permits for employees from third countries.
  • Registering employees with the tax and social security office.
  • Providing consultations on the Netherlands labour regulation & benefits.
  • Setting up the Payroll system compliantly.
  • Submitting wage tax returns and national insurance forms.
  • Keeping our clients up-to-date and compliant with changes in the Netherlands regulations.

We provide a full set of services in the Netherlands, allowing corporate clients, recruitment agencies and professional contractors to operate in an optimal manner, while ensuring that all local compliance obligations are taken care of.

Access Financial offers the following services in the Netherlands:

– Contract Management

– Outsourced Payroll

– Employer of Record (EOR)

– Limited Company Solution

– Work Permits & Immigration Assistance

Our Services

Our services are aimed at customer satisfaction, always ensuring the best value for money, compliance and maximum take-home pay possible in the Netherlands.

Contract
Management

Payroll
Outsourcing

Work Permits &
Immigration Assistance

Employer of Record
(EOR)

Tax & Legal
Compliance

Testimonials

We’re proud of what we do, but you shouldn’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our clients are saying about us.

Ahmed MohammediContractor

“After several years of collaboration with you, I regret to announce my departure from AF. It has been a real pleasure to have made this part of road with you, and I wish you full success with other collaborators. I regret my departure from your company, but the rules decided otherwise. If there is anything to remember about AF, it is the clarity, the honesty and the discretion. Thank you for all the good years spent with you and all the services you have given me.”

Cesare PittarelloContractor

“I’ve been using Access Financial services for more that one year and so far I’m fully satisfied with my choice. The company is providing prompt and valid support to all my needs as contractor and I recommend it.”

Roy HarrisHaricom Limited

“I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the good experience I’ve had the last 3 years working with AFS. I feel a sense of trust in AFS and for me that is what is most important in any business relationship.”

ChristosGreece

“I would like to thank Access Financial Team for all your help on my urgent matter. A special mention to Louise and her commitment to help me promptly and in any possible way, even by disturbing some of her annual leave. You’re very lucky to have such people within your team!”

Luke WilliamsSweden

“I want to thank Access Financial for your assistance with immigration without which my assignment would not have been possible. My special thanks to Team Europe, their service was very professional. They were always quick to respond, provide me with answers and solutions.”

VladoContractor

“It was always a pleasure to work with AF. Before when I worked in Belgium and now in Germany, the service was always very pleasant. So yes, in the case I will need any umbrella company, I will surely contact only you.”

Mr. P. BorkarIreland

“It’s been a wonderful experience working with Access Financial”

Mr. B. DeanGermany

“When it comes to outsourcing payroll services Access Financial is my #1 go-to company. Thank you for your great support.”

Mr. G. BretonUK

“What I love about Access Financial is their commitment to speed, professionalism and constant support.”

Mr. P. TredwellLuxembourg

“If you are looking for someone to help you with contracting in EU, Access Financial would be an excellent choice.”

HarshitContractor

“I will let people know in my network with the services you provide. I like the transparency you work with.”

Our Partners

Each partnership is unique. We focus on creating long-lasting relationships with our partners.

Dutch Income & Tax Calculator 2024

Calculate your take-home pay in the Netherlands using our online income calculator below.

    This is the all-inclusive rate that you have agreed with your recruiter or client to pay you per day.
    Please estimate the average number of days you plan to work each month.
    Please provide the length of your assignment in months.
    The 30% ruling is a Dutch tax exemption for employees who were hired abroad to work in the Netherlands. If your situation meets various conditions, your employer can pay 30% of your salary as a tax-free allowance. The tax-free allowance is considered a compensation for the expenses that you incur by working outside your home country.
    Are you a national of an EU or an EEA country?

    Disclaimer: The calculation is an illustration based on various assumptions and is meant to provide an indication of what you may take home as net pay. For a more detailed projection please contact our customer support by clicking on the “TALK TO AN EXPERT” button above.

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