Work & Money

Bruto (gross) salary is your total earnings before any deductions. Netto (net) salary is what you actually receive after taxes and social security contributions are deducted.

Your loonstrook (payslip) shows detailed information including gross salary, all deductions (income tax, social security premiums), any allowances, and your final net salary.

Vakantiegeld (holiday allowance) is a legally required annual payment of at least 8% of your gross yearly salary, typically paid in May or June. This is in addition to your regular salary.

The minimum wage (minimumloon) is adjusted twice a year on January 1st and July 1st, based on average wage developments in the Netherlands.

Salaries are usually paid monthly, directly into your bank account. Make sure to provide your IBAN to your employer.

Employment contracts can be temporary (tijdelijk contract) or permanent (vast contract). After three temporary contracts or 3 years, you're usually entitled to a permanent contract.

A CAO (Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst) is a collective labor agreement that sets working conditions, wages, and benefits for a specific sector or company, negotiated between employer organizations and trade unions.

The probation period (proeftijd) is typically 1-2 months for permanent contracts. During this time, both employer and employee can terminate the contract with shorter notice.

Notice periods (opzegtermijn) depend on the length of employment. Employers must give longer notice than employees, ranging from 1 to 4 months.

You're entitled to minimum vacation days: 4 times your weekly working hours per year. For full-time work (40 hours/week), this means at least 20 days annually.

WW (Werkloosheidswet) is unemployment insurance provided by UWV if you lose your job through no fault of your own. The duration and amount depend on your work history.

During sick leave, your employer pays your salary for up to 2 years (at least 70% of your salary). After 2 years, WIA (disability insurance) may apply.

UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen) is the Employee Insurance Agency that administers unemployment and disability benefits.

If you're unable to work due to illness or disability, you must report this to your employer immediately. Your employer may require a doctor's note.

Social security contributions are automatically deducted from your gross salary and shown on your payslip.

Income tax (inkomstenbelasting) is progressive, meaning higher incomes pay higher percentages. Your employer deducts this automatically from your salary.

You must file an annual tax return (aangifte inkomstenbelasting) with the Belastingdienst (Tax Authority). You may receive a tax refund or owe additional tax.

Keep all important documents including employment contracts, payslips, and tax documents for at least 7 years.

If you work illegally (zwart werken) without paying taxes, you face serious consequences including heavy fines, back taxes, loss of benefits, and possible criminal prosecution.

Inspectie SZW monitors compliance with labor laws, working conditions, and minimum wage regulations.