Thinking of taking a job in the Netherlands? Good for you, that’s a courageous move, and I’m proud — now let’s get down to business and talk about Dutch salaries.
Did you know that the Netherlands boasts the second-highest net earnings in Europe? Yep, that’s a real advantage of life here.
However, before your eyes turn to € signs and you sign that contract, there are some important things you need to know about salaries in the Netherlands.
Take it from someone who has lived and worked here for the past 7 years.
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Salaries in the Netherlands
While the Netherlands may rank as one of the best-paying countries in the world, it’s important to note that the amount that you get paid, of course, depends on the type of wage you are receiving.
Let’s start by discussing wages in the Netherlands.
What’s the minimum wage in the Netherlands in 2025?
What may be a surprise to some is that the minimum wage in the Netherlands actually varies based on your age.
As of July 1 2025, the hourly minimum wage for a person over the age of 21 in the Netherlands has risen to €14.40 before tax. However, if you are under 21, your wage will be slightly different:
| Age | Minimum wage per hour |
|---|---|
| 21 and older | €14.40 |
| 20 years old | €11.52 |
| 19 years old | €8.64 |
| 18 years old | €7.20 |
| 17 years old | €5.69 |
| 16 years old | €4.97 |
| 15 years old | €4.32 |
What’s the average salary in the Netherlands in 2025?
According to the Dutch Central Planning Bureau, in 2025, the average annual salary is expected to rise to €46,500, including holiday pay.
This brings the average gross monthly income to €3,875. Once taxes are deducted, the average take-home pay becomes between €2,800 and €3,100 per month (depending on whether or not you receive toeslagen, etc.).
READ MORE | Toeslagen? Everything you should know about government allowances in the Netherlands [2025 guide]
However, life is often, well, not average — and the same goes for your salary. Depending on your job, your salary is going to be higher or lower than this number.
Inflation and Dutch salaries in 2025
The past few years have seen the cost of living in the Netherlands skyrocket to new heights. In 2024, inflation rose to 3.3% according to the CBS, and a similar rise has been seen in 2025 so far.
As of May 2025, the cost of consumer goods and services was 3.3% more expensive than last year. On top of this, researchers forecast that the average family in the Netherlands will spend an extra €500 on fixed costs in 2025.
With all this in mind, many of us could do with a pay raise in 2025.
Thankfully, as we have seen, the Dutch government addressed this by raising the minimum wage, but what can we expect in 2025?
Well, according to the Central Planning Bureau, in the first quarter of 2025, the average wage rose by 4.7% in the government sector, 4.9% in subsidised institutions and 5.6% in private companies.
READ MORE | The cost of living in the Netherlands in 2025
And according to the European Commission, nominal wage growth is expected to reach 5.1% in 2025 — in other words, wages are forecast to continue to rise.
In fact, those of us who earn the average monthly salary are expected to receive roughly €56 extra per month in net pay. This is because the Dutch government has introduced a new tax bracket in 2025.
READ MORE | The 30% ruling in the Netherlands: The easy guide in 2025
Instead of two tax brackets, there are now three. This adjustment means that everyone on an average salary can keep a little bit more money this year. The same goes for full-time minimum wage earners, who will receive roughly €58 extra per month this year.
Moral of the story: while inflation is rising, so is your salary.
What’s the difference between bruto salaris and netto salaris?
Once you’ve dressed to impress and knocked the socks off your Dutch employers during your interview, you will be offered a salary.
But before you get too excited about the numbers, you will be hearing two different figures: these will be your gross (bruto) and net (netto) salary, and it’s important you know the difference!
What is Bruto salaris in the Netherlands?
One will be the amount that you will get paid before tax and other deductions — this is your brutosalaris (gross salary), and you won’t get to keep it all.
What is Netto salaris in the Netherlands?
Netto salaris represents the money you get to keep after tax and all other deductions.
Picture one of those cycle bins that catch cyclists’ rubbish as they zoom by. Ok great, now think of your nettosalaris (net salary) as how much money actually hits the back of the net and lands in your bank account.
TIP: It’s important when discussing your salary that you are certain of how much Netto salary you are going to receive. The salary that your employer offers may be the figure before deductions, such as tax, benefits, and your pension, are taken — be sure to clarify this!
How much of your salary will be taxed in the Netherlands?
Now, after all that talk of netto and bruto salaries, you’re probably wondering just how big a bite the Dutch tax system will take out of your wages.
As we established above, in the Netherlands, there are three different tax brackets in 2025. Depending on your home and work income, you will be taxed a certain percentage. Let’s lay them out for you.
| TAXABLE INCOME OF: | TAX RATE |
|---|---|
| Earn up to €38,441 | 35.82% |
| Earn between €38,441 and €76,817 | 37.48% |
| Earn above €76,817 | 49.50% |
What’s included in your Dutch salary?
Yes, taxation is high in the Netherlands, but being employed in the Netherlands also has its perks — namely, a number of benefits.
Holiday pay (vakantiegeld)
In the Netherlands, you will receive at least 8% of your gross wage in holiday pay.
Employers will usually pay this to you as a lump sum between May and June, however, it can also be distributed a little at a time each month, depending on your contract.
Note: If you are an intern, a freelancer, or earn three times the Dutch minimum wage, you are not eligible for holiday pay in the Netherlands.
‘The 13th month’
In any job, there is always the chance that you may receive a bonus. But in the Netherlands, some companies offer what has been coined the ‘13th month’ under certain contracts (spoiler: the better ones.)
If your salary includes a ‘13th month’, then you will essentially receive an extra month’s pay! It is usually given before the holiday period in November or December and also equals 8.33% of an employee’s salary.
Sick leave
In the Netherlands, most work contracts will also cover you for sick leave. Under Dutch law, your employer should pay you 70% of your wages if you are sick during your contract.
If you are sick for a long period of time, you don’t have to worry about your employer dropping you. In fact, under Dutch law, an employer should pay sick leave for up to 104 weeks of sickness.
New job, new salary — now you need a solid Dutch bank. ING makes it easy for internationals to manage their money. And who knows, perhaps you can use their Members Get Members promo to refer one of your new colleagues and earn you both an extra €50. That’s a win for your wallet and your network. 💰
A great work-life balance
Ok, this is not exactly a monetary benefit that can be found in your Dutch salary, but it’s certainly a benefit that I enjoy. In the Netherlands, a good work-life balance is highly valued.
READ MORE | The work-life balance in the Netherlands is the best in the world
This means that you’re not expected to bring your work home with you ,“as part of the company culture”, and it’s great.
How to understand your Dutch payslip
Once you have found yourself a job and a salary to go with it, you may need a hand understanding that pesky payslip! And we don’t blame you. As an international in the Netherlands, it can be a bit overwhelming.
Luckily, we’ve broken down all that difficult vocab for you. 😉
| DUTCH | ENGLISH |
|---|---|
| Salaris Periode | Period of pay |
| Personeelsnummer | Employee number |
| BSN | Dutch social security number |
| Geboortedatum | Date of birth |
| Afdeling/Functieomschrijving | Job role |
| Anciënniteitsdatum/Datum in dienst | Date you started your employment |
| Salaris/uurloon | Gross salary (before tax) |
| Minimumloon | Minimum wage |
| Verzekerd voor WW/WiA/ZW/Zvw | Social security that you contribute to |
| Bijz. tarief/heffingskorting (ja/nee) | Tax rate (percentage)/general tax credit (yes or no) |
| Gewerkte uren | Hours worked |
| Sociale verzekeringen (SV) | Social security contributions |
| Reiskostenvergoeding | Transport reimbursement cost |
| Totaal Netto | Net salary after everything — what you receive in your bank account |
| Vakantiegeld | Holiday leave |
All caught up on your Nederlands? We’re proud of you. Now there’s only one thing left to do: sign the dotted line and get your geld.
How have you experienced working in the Netherlands? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
There is no deduction from your salary for holiday allowance. As stated, it’s 8% almost a whole month’s salary. But the difference in net pay is greater because, for example, you pay more for WAO (Disability Insurance).
Hi!
Are there any rules which state that every year the salary must be revised? Or does it depend on the agreement between the employee and employer?
Hi, Shubham,
There are no such rules and the employer and employee are free to agree on this. Most often there is no wording on this matter at all in the employment agreement. It can also be that there is a collective labor agreement (CAO) applicable which can be of influence on the salary increase.
At times, the employment contract would say that the employee is eligible for salary increase in the appraisal cycle of so and so year.
I see a term in my Dutch salary Slip that says, “Eenm. uitkering CAO”. Don’t know what that is. Could you help?
Hi Naina, it means ‘one time payment under Collective Labor Agreement’. Sometimes It is agreed under Collective Labor Agreements to have a one time payment next to an increase of salary. For example if the gas prices are temporarily very high.
Sorry for bothering. I wonder if you can help me with an issue. I dont know what is the “Verrekening” and I also don’t understand why do they charge me 104 euros. Can you please help me to understand it? Thank you in advance
I wanted to know if there is any minimum salary thresh hold for chefs employed in the Asian catering industry from level 4 to 6 ?
Thanks for advising
Which type of jab provide
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