Hiring your first employee in the Netherlands: a guide for foreign founders
Hiring your first employee in the Netherlands involves administrative steps and obligations that catch many foreign founders off guard.
What administrative steps come with hiring your first employee?
Hiring your first employee in the Netherlands requires registering as an employer for payroll tax, arranging occupational health support, and being prepared for up to two years of continued salary payment if the employee becomes sick.
Hiring your first employee in the Netherlands involves more than drafting a contract. You need to register as an employer with the Dutch Tax Authority for payroll tax, and Dutch law requires you to arrange access to a company doctor or occupational health service, even for a single employee. One obligation surprises many foreign founders in particular: if an employee becomes sick, you're generally required to continue paying at least 70% of their salary for up to two years, a significantly longer commitment than in many other countries.
If you're hiring someone from outside the EU or EEA, you'll also need to consider work permit requirements. At EenvoudigRecht, we draft Employment Contracts in English that account for these obligations, for a fixed price.
Veelgestelde vragen
What administrative steps do I need to take before hiring my first employee?
You need to register as an employer with the Dutch Tax Authority for payroll tax purposes (loonheffingen), arrange occupational health and safety support as required under Dutch law, and check whether a sector-wide pension scheme or CAO applies to your business.
What happens if my employee gets sick?
This surprises many foreign employers: if an employee becomes sick, you're generally required to continue paying at least 70% of their salary for up to two years, before they can apply for a WIA disability benefit. This is a significantly longer obligation than in many other countries.
Do I need to arrange a company doctor even for one employee?
Yes. Dutch law requires employers to arrange access to a company doctor or occupational health service (bedrijfsarts), typically through a contract with an occupational health and safety service, even for a single employee.
Do I need a work permit if I hire someone from outside the EU?
Yes, if you hire an employee from outside the EU or EEA, they generally need a valid work and residence permit, and you as the employer usually need a work permit application or a specific scheme like the highly skilled migrant visa, depending on the role.
How much does an Employment Contract cost?
We work with a fixed price you know in advance. You answer a few questions online about the position, and receive an Employment Contract in English, compliant with Dutch labor law.
Waar kunnen we je mee helpen?
Stuur ons je gegevens en wij nemen binnen één werkdag contact met je op.
✅ Vaste prijs vooraf
Je weet altijd vooraf wat het kost. Na je aanvraag ontvang je binnen één werkdag een vrijblijvende offerte op maat.
✅ Juridisch specialist
Je spreekt rechtstreeks met mr. René van der Horst. Een specialist die jouw situatie kent en met je meedenkt.
✅ Snel en betaalbaar
Geen ingewikkeld gedoe. Wij regelen het snel en in gewone taal, zodat jij weet waar je aan toe bent.
✅ Al duizenden klanten gingen je voor
EenvoudigRecht helpt al jaren ondernemers én particulieren met juridische zekerheid. Jij bent aan het juiste adres.
Wat onze klanten zeggen
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Martijn
Doet z’n naam recht aan; lekker eenvoudig. Het opgeleverde werk is allesbehalve eenvoudig maar van hoge kwaliteit.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Rinus
Zeer prettig contact gehad met René. Kundige jurist, meedenkend en zeer behulpzaam. En niet onbelangrijk een top prijs kwaliteit verhouding!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ — Anouk
Eenvoudig Recht heeft mij fantastisch geholpen. Ze zijn vlot, denken met je mee en als je nog een keer een vraag hebt zijn ze ook echt behulpzaam.