Working in the Netherlands: Contracts, Holidays, Sick Pay, Leave and Notice

1Dutch employment in a nutshell

Colleagues working at shared desks in a bright office — Dutch workplaces are informal and flat: first names, open discussion, and leaving on time is normal.

2Contracts

	Temporary	Permanent
End date	Yes, or ends after a project	No
Probation period	None for 6 months or less; at most 1 month (2 for contracts of 2 years or more)	At most 2 months
Ending it	Ends by itself; the employer must give a month's notice of not renewing (for 6 months or more)	Only with UWV or court permission, or mutual agreement
Mortgage and renting	Harder, unless the employer adds an intention statement	Easiest

1Contract 1temporary
2Contract 2temporary
3Contract 3temporary
4Contract 4automatically permanent

The chain rule: more than three temporary contracts, or temporary contracts for more than three years, become a permanent contract. A gap of more than six months starts the count again; a cao can differ.

3Hours, holidays and holiday pay

4×your weekly working days in statutory holiday: 20 days for a five-day week

8%holiday pay on top of your gross salary, at least

6 monthsafter the year ends, statutory holiday days expire unless you could not take them

5 yearsfor extra (non-statutory) days to expire

Working hours: The Working Hours Act sets maximums (such as 12 hours a day and 60 hours in a week) and rest periods; your contract says your normal hours.
Public holidays: Not automatically days off by law; your contract or cao decides. Most give King's Day, Easter, Ascension, Whitsun and Christmas off.
Part-time: Very common, at every level. You can ask to change your hours; the employer can only refuse for serious business reasons.
Working from home: Many employers allow it and pay a tax-free allowance. See working from home.

4When you are sick

1
Report sick on the day
In the way your employer asks, usually a phone call to your manager. You do not have to say what is wrong.
2
Salary continues
At least 70% of your salary for up to two years (and at least the minimum wage in the first year). Many contracts pay 100% in year one.
3
The company doctor
For longer absence, the occupational doctor (bedrijfsarts) advises on what you can do. Medical details stay between you and the doctor.
4
Back to work together
You and your employer make a return-to-work plan; both must cooperate.
5
After two years
If you still cannot work, you can apply to the UWV for a disability benefit (WIA).

5Leave for family and life

Pregnancy and maternity leave

At least 16 weeks, paid by the UWV through your employer.

Birth leave for the partner

One week paid in full, plus up to five weeks of extra leave at 70% of pay (capped).

Parental leave

26 times your weekly hours per child until age 8; 9 of those weeks partly paid by the UWV in the first year.

Care leave

Short-term care leave for a sick family member, partly paid; long-term care leave unpaid.

Emergency leave

For sudden personal emergencies, paid, for a short time.

6Pension through work

Most employees build up a pension through their employer, often in a sector pension fund that the cao makes compulsory. Contributions are deducted from your gross salary and are tax-free until you retire. The system is moving to a new set of rules by 2028; your fund tells you what changes. You can see what you have built up, including the state pension (AOW), on mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl.

7How a job ends

Who wants to end it?

You resignGive written notice, usually one month (check your contract). No transition payment and usually no unemployment benefit.

Your employer, with your agreementA settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst). Have it checked: the wording decides whether you keep your right to unemployment benefit. You get 14 days to change your mind.

Your employer, without your agreementOnly with UWV permission (economic reasons, long illness) or a court decision (personal reasons). You receive the transition payment.

Employer's notice: One to four months, depending on how long you have worked there; minus the time the procedure took.
Transition payment: One third of a monthly salary for each year of service, paid when the employer ends or does not renew the contract.
Unemployment benefit (WW): From the UWV if you worked long enough and did not cause the dismissal. See unemployment.
Non-compete clause: Only valid in writing; in a temporary contract only with a written reason.

8Work questions

Is a 13th month normal?

In some sectors and companies, yes, often through the cao. It is taxed with the salary of the month it is paid. See bonus and 13th month tax.

Can I have a second job?

Usually, unless your contract has a clause against it that the employer can justify. Tell your second employer not to apply the tax credit (loonheffingskorting) if your first one does.

Do I get paid overtime?

Only if your contract or cao says so. In many professional jobs overtime is included in the salary.

Where can I get help with a work dispute?

Your union if you are a member, a legal expenses insurance, or the Juridisch Loket for free first advice.