Have you decided to work in the Netherlands? We know what social benefits you are entitled to

What social benefits can you claim from your employer if you work in the Netherlands?

Working overtime

By law, an employee in the Netherlands cannot work more than 9 hours a day and 45 hours a week. The working week is mostly 5 days, in some cases only 4 days. The average weekly working time is usually 36, 38 or 40 hours, depending on the sector. During the 4 weeks, the employee should not work more than 55 hours per week.

Weekend work

Entitlement to additional pay for Saturday and Sunday work is up to 100% of regular pay. It depends on the contract with the employer.

Work at night

Entitlement to night work premium pay ranges from 45% – 50% of regular pay. It depends on the contract with the employer.

Holidays

Every employee in the Netherlands is entitled to paid leave. A legal minimum of at least four times the number of hours in the working week per year shall apply. Most collective agreements also allow for a higher number. For full-time employees, this is generally 20-30 days. Regardless of how much you are paid, you are entitled to a minimum holiday allowance of 8%, known as ‘holiday pay’.

13. and 14th salary

In the Netherlands, payment 13. and the 14th salary is not given by law. Whether you get a financial bonus depends on your employer.

Sick leave (sick leave)

Every employee on a Dutch contract is entitled to sick leave, it is not specified for how many days. Under Dutch law, in the event of an employee’s illness, the employer continues to pay at least 70% of the wages (for 104 weeks – two years). Certificates of incapacity for work issued by a Slovak attending physician must be sent directly to the employer. In the case of unemployed persons, resp. people whose employment contract has ended and who are still unable to work receive a state benefit. Attending doctors in the Netherlands do not issue certificates of incapacity for work for employment or insurance purposes, but only for health service purposes.

Family allowances

The amount of the allowance depends on the age of your child (0-5 years = 249,31€). Child benefits are higher after your child reaches the age of 6 (6-11 years = €302.74). The value of the benefits will increase again when your child reaches the age of 12 (12-17 years = €356.16). Child benefit in the Netherlands is paid quarterly, i.e. every three months.

Surcharges for public holidays

Entitlement to holiday pay ranges from 50% to 100%. It depends on the contract with the particular employer. Dutch public holidays include:

New Year – 1. January

Good Friday (movable feast)

Easter Monday (movable feast)

Queen’s Birthday – 27. April

Liberation Day – 5. May (once every five years)

Ascension of the Lord (movable feast)

Pentecost (movable feast)

Christmas holidays – 25. and 26 December

Maternity/parental allowance

The maternity leave to which the mother is entitled lasts 16 weeks. It can start as early as 6 weeks, but no later than 4 weeks before the planned birth and continues after birth until the 16 weeks mentioned above. If it does not exceed the ceiling, maternity pay is paid at the rate of the mother’s salary. The maximum daily wage is €223.40. Both parents are entitled to parental leave if they have worked for the same employer for at least one year and are caring for a child under 8 years old.

Retirement

In the country where you currently live and work, you can only receive a pension when you reach retirement age. Your pension in the Netherlands is calculated from the first pillar from the age of 67. You are entitled to 2% of your full pension for each year of service. After 50 years in the Netherlands, you are entitled to a full pension.