The WTTA: stricter rules for hiring temporary workers

  • KVK Editors
  • The basis
  • 13 January 2026
  • Edited 26 January 2026
  • 1 min
  • Rules and laws

Do you hire people for your business through a temporary employment agency? If so, new strict rules will apply from 2027. Read how to avoid fines.

The government wants stricter controls on employment agencies and other ‘lenders’ of staff such as secondment agencies and payroll companies. Too often, agencies do not follow the rules or there are problems in the sector. From 2027, the new WTTA law will apply. This means you will have to be even more careful about who you do business with.

What is the WTTA?

WTTA stands for Wet toelating terbeschikkingstelling van arbeidskrachten (Provision of Personnel Accreditation Act). This act applies to employment agencies and other businesses that hire out workers. These businesses will have to follow strict rules, or they will not be allowed to operate.

For years, there have been serious problems in the temporary employment sector. Problems particularly affect migrants who come to the Netherlands to work temporarily. They are often underpaid, work too many hours, or are forced to live in sub-standard accommodation. The WTTA a prevent these poor conditions.

When will the WTTA take effect?

The law will apply from 1 January 2027. From that date, a temping agency may only hire out  workers if it is approved by the Nederlandse Autoriteit Uitleenmarkt (NAU, in Dutch). The NAU will hire inspectors to check whether employment agencies follow the rules. If they do, they are listed in a public register.

When will you be affected by the WTTA?

The NAU is expected to open the register in 2027. In it, you can look up which employment agencies and other businesses are allowed to hire out staff. From 1 January 2028, the Netherlands Labour Authority will enforce the WTTA. The Authority will check whether businesses that hire out workers are in the NAU register. If they are not, they will be fined.

As an entrepreneur, can I also be fined?

Yes. If you hire workers, the WTTA will only allow you to work with lenders who are in the NAU register. So you will have to check whether an agency is in the register before you work with them. Is that not the case? Then you are not allowed to hire staff through that business. If you do, you can be fined as well.

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