Global Expansion Resources | The Netherlands
The Netherlands HR Services
Expand your business into the Netherlands with zero HR hassle
Fulfil your Human Resource (HR) duties in the Netherlands with ease
In 2025, 180 foreign companies established or expanded operations into the Netherlands. With several strategic gateways for international trade, a well-developed logistics network, and state-of-the-art digital infrastructure – it’s easy to see why.
But finding a stable business landscape to expand into is only half the battle. What comes next, i.e. hiring employees, ensuring compliance and fulfilling HR responsibilities, requires country-specific knowledge and experience.
An in-house team is one option, but that means spending time finding the right local talent, legal and payroll expertise. Leap29’s Netherlands HR Services offer a more cost-effective, straightforward route.
Our global expansion team can support your business with:
- Issuing lawful Dutch employment contracts.
- Running compliant payroll in line with Dutch tax and social security obligations.
- Managing statutory employee benefits, bonuses and leave entitlements.
- Implementing compliant HR policies covering health & safety, training and employee relations.
Want to expand into the Netherlands?
Contact us today to see how Leap29 can be the trusted partner that supports your global expansion.
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What’s included:
HR software
Bespoke employee management software included in our PEO service.
Global compliance
We have expert teams across the world to ensure global compliance.
Transparent pricing
Avoid hidden costs and account for our fee with our transparent pricing.
The Netherlands: HR Advice
Key HR responsibilities in the Netherlands
Employment Contracts
Employment contracts in the Netherlands can be indefinite or fixed-term and are often governed by a Collectieve Arbeidsovereenkomst (CAO), or as it’s known in English, a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). A CAO/CBA is a legally binding written contract between employers (or employer organisations) and trade unions that defines terms of employment for a specific sector or company. The agreement sets minimum standards, which are often better than legal minimums.
Leap29 offers support with Dutch Employment Contracts, helping businesses align contracts with their needs, while remaining fully compliant with statutory obligations and any CAO/CBA in place.
Working Hours and Overtime
In the Netherlands, maximum daily and weekly working hours are set by Arbeidstijdenwet (the Working Hours Act). Employees can sometimes work longer, but only if it is business-essential.
For employees aged 18 and over, the maximum hours they can work is 12 hours per day and 60 hours per week. But the average statutory working hours range from 38 to 40 hours over a 5 day week, which can also be increased to 45 hours.
Overtime falls under the maximum number of hours your employee is allowed to work for you and Arbeidstijdenwet does not specify how much extra pay your employee must receive. The employer can either make their own arrangements for this in their terms of employment, or there may already be overtime agreements specified in the CAO.
All employees are subject to the European Working Time Directive which limits average weekly hours to 48 in total. Leap29 can help ensure that you have the framework and policies in place to comply with all regulations regarding working hours and payment.
Annual Leave and Holiday Pay
All workers employed in the Netherlands are entitled to statutory leave, which equates to a minimum of 4 times the number of hours they work per week. For part-time employees, leave is calculated proportionally. Employers can choose to offer additional leave (bovenwettelijke vakantiedagen, or non-statutory leave) and sometimes this is required under a CAO.
Workers are entitled to at least 8% holiday pay (vakantiegeld). This allowance is mandatory and must be paid every year. Agreements can differ depending on whether the employment is governed by a CAO or not. Employers must pay holiday allowance on:
- Overtime.
- Rewards (commissions).
- Irregular working hour allowances.
- Paid out holiday entitlement.
- Performance bonuses (if mentioned in the employment contract).
Payroll Obligations
When setting up Dutch payroll, companies must join the Commercial Register at the Kamer van Koophandel (KVK, or as it’s known in English, the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce). A company director or brand manager with power of attorney must complete this process.
Deductions for tax and National Social Insurance must be taken into account and at least three sets of KVK documents must be completed before you can start running payroll.
Leap29 has a full team of global payroll specialists ready to support you with tax, social security and pension regulations in the Netherlands.
Essential HR Policies in the Netherlands
Employers in the Netherlands are expected to put appropriate workplace policies in place regarding:
- Non-discrimination and anti-harassment.
- Threats and acts of violence.
- Health & safety.
- Internal talent movement.
- Workforce separations.
Our team has over 25 years of experience in creating HR policies that reflect Dutch labour law.
Why expand into the Netherlands?
The Netherlands offers a lucrative opportunity for globally expanding businesses, with advantages including:
- A business-friendly tax system with competitive corporate tax rates .
- A skilled, highly educated and multilingual workforce.
- A straightforward company formation process, strong legal protections and a pro-business regulatory framework.
- Access to major markets across Germany, France and the UK.
Why choose Leap29’s Netherlands HR Services?
For over two decades, Leap29 has delivered reliable HR support to hundreds of employees in over 180 countries, including:
- Managing employee benefits, attendance, leave requests and more.
- Answering employees’ queries in a timely manner.
- Offering a dedicated employee HR helpline (available over the phone or via email).
Call us at +44 (0) 20 8129 6860 or email expansion@leap29.com to discuss how Leap29 can support your business’ HR processes in the Netherlands.
Don’t take our word for it!
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Talk to an expert today
Whatever stage you’re at in your global expansion journey, we can help.
Contact us today to see how Leap29 can be the trusted PEO partner that supports your global expansion.
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The Netherlands
Expansion Resources
Dutch Labour Reforms 2026- From Minimum Wage to Misclassification
Workplace Reform in action, the Netherlands sets a New Flex Work Standard.
The Netherlands PEO Services
The Netherlands Employment Contracts
The Netherlands Entity Set Up
The Netherlands Payroll Solutions
The Netherlands Work Permits & Visas
The Netherlands EOR Services
Local expertise, global reach
Employ people compliantly in 180+ countries – with or without your own foreign entities. We can help you set up and manage foreign entities – or act as an Employer of Record. We can also help with multi-country payroll and all your HR management. Wherever, whenever and however you want to employ people, we can help.
180+
We make expansion in the Netherlands simple
Employing people compliantly across international borders can be challenging but we make it simple, bringing down barriers and making light work of the complexities. We offer the full range of compliant global expansion solutions so that wherever, whenever and however you want to employ people, we can support you.
EOR Services
Employ people compliantly in 180+ countries – without setting up new entities. We’ll shoulder responsibility as Employer of Record (EOR), making sure all your international employment is fully compliant.
We can also take care of your global HR from multi-country payroll to onboarding and offboarding.
Payroll Solutions
Getting global payroll right is one of the hardest challenges for any business expanding into new countries. We can shoulder this burden, freeing up valuable in-house resource to focus on growing your business.
Consider us an extension of your HR team, ready to answer all your questions large and small.
Global Mobility
Mobilise your people across borders with ease. Relocating to work abroad can feel daunting. But with Leap29 at your side, your employees can feel safe and supported.
We’ll guide your employees through the complexities of working in another country, helping them settle in fast.
Entity Services
Follow the opportunities to grow your business – wherever they take you.
We lighten the load of establishing and managing foreign entities and can help you solve all your entity challenges from running compliant, accurate multi-country payroll to local accounting and financial reporting.
PEO Solutions
Employ international talent wherever and whenever you need it – and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing you’re fully compliant. Our Professional Employer Organisation (PEO) services allow you to focus on growing your business while we handle compliance, multi-country payroll and your global HR.
Support & Advisory
The help you need to make your global growth effortless – trusted guidance and advice on your expansion challenges large and small.
HR Support
When you’re employing people in lots of different countries, answering just a simple query can take a disproportionate amount of time for your in-house HR team. Our HR Support service reduces this burden, saving you time and money and giving you the confidence of knowing your employees are well looked after, whatever their location.
Contractor Payroll
Enjoy compliant contractor payroll that meets all local requirements for tax, social security and employment legislation. We understand the importance of compliant contractor payroll to the success of your business and will pay your contractors on time, every time.
Start hiring today – and onboard within hours.
Pricing
Budget confidently with transparent, competitive fees and no hidden costs.
Want us to shoulder employer liability and take care of your global HR through our EOR solution? No problem. Just want global payroll? You can have that too. Pick the solutions that your individual business needs.