Read about working in the Netherlands
- 16 December 2025
- 2 min
- Starting
- International
Have you come to the Netherlands from your own country to work? The Netherlands Chamber of Commerce, KVK, will help you with information and advice. So you can make a good and fair start.
Are you mistreated at work? Do you have to work too hard for little pay?
Stichting FairWork helps you if you are not doing well. Or if you have problems at work. They help you in your own . This does not cost money.
Working in the Netherlands: are you starting your own business, or will you work for a company?
If you start a business, you are the owner of that business. It is yours. Will you work for a company? Then you have a job. You are an employee. You do not have to register with KVK. Read about the differences here.
|
| Start a business | Work for a company |
|---|---|---|
| Job | You are the owner. | You are an employee. |
| Taxes | There are 2 types of tax. You pay VAT every 3 months. You pay income tax once per year. | Your company pays your taxes for you. They deduct it from your wages. You only have to file for income tax once per year. |
| Insurance | You must have health insurance. Other insurances are necessary in some cases. | You must have health insurance. Sometimes, you can get this via your employer. |
| Liability | If something goes wrong, you are responsible (liable). | If something goes wrong, the company is responsible (liable). |
| Costs | To start a business, you have to pay KVK a fee. | If you start to work for a company, you pay no fee. |
| Sickness | If you cannot work because you are sick, you do not get any money. | If you are sick, you do not have to work. You must get time off to go to a doctor. In some cases, you still get paid wages when you are sick. |
Get free help, answers, and advice
These organisations are here to help you.
Are you not allowed to stop working?
Do you get no money? Or does your boss say that you must keep working? Talk to Comensha. We are not the government. You can safely talk to us. We are here to help you.
Let us know if your work is unfair, unsafe, or unhealthy
The Netherlands Labour can inspect your boss if they do not follow the rules.
Visiting a doctor if you get sick
If you work in the Netherlands, you must have health insurance. You can then visit the family doctor, pharmacy, or hospital. SKGZ how Dutch health insurance works.
Are you mistreated at work? Do you have to work too hard for little pay?
Stichting FairWork helps you if you are not doing well. Or if you have problems at work. They help you in your own . This does not cost money.
5 things you need to do when you start a business
Are you starting a business in the Netherlands? There are 5 things you have to arrange.
Start a business: the basics
Moving to the Netherlands as an entrepreneur
Read all about living and working in the if you want to start your own business.
Get your permits and visa in order
Fill in some questions and make your own to-do of things you need to arrange.
Taxes for businesses
There are different types of . Which taxes you have to pay depends on your business.
Important questions
You must deregister the business.
FairWork helps you if you are not doing well. Or if you have problems at work. They help you in your own .
In some cases, you need permission. That is called a permit. There are permits to live and to work in the .
If you work in the Netherlands, you must have healthcare . So you can go to a doctor, pharmacy, or hospital if you need to.
If you work in the Netherlands, you must file for . That means you tell the Tax Administration how much money you earn. Do you work as an employee? Then you have to file a tax return once a year. Do you have your own business? Then you also have to file a tax return every 3 months.