Freelance in the Netherlands

The freelance market in the Netherlands

The Netherlands has over a million self-employed people without staff (ZZP), and contracting is a mainstream way to work in IT, design, marketing and consulting. English is widely used in business, which makes it easier for international freelancers.

Taxes and legal status

You register your business at the Chamber of Commerce (KvK) and get a VAT number. Income tax is progressive, with entrepreneur deductions (the self-employed deduction is being reduced year by year) if you meet the hours requirement. The small business scheme (KOR) exempts you from VAT under an annual turnover limit. Since 2025 the authorities enforce the rules on false self-employment more strictly, so long contracts with one client need care.

This is general information as of 2026, not tax or legal advice. Rates and thresholds change, so check them with the tax authority or a local accountant before you register.

Getting paid

Clients in the EU usually pay by SEPA transfer in EUR, which is fast and cheap inside the European payment area. PayPal, Wise and Revolut are widely used for smaller amounts and clients outside the EU. Dutch businesses also use iDEAL and Tikkie for payments.

• SEPA transfers in EUR
• iDEAL and Tikkie
• PayPal
• Wise and Revolut

Skills in demand

• software development
• UX and product design
• growth marketing
• data and analytics
• translation between Dutch and English
• project management

Tips for freelancers in the Netherlands

• Check the hours requirement before counting on entrepreneur deductions.
• Work with several clients because of stricter false self-employment checks.
• Many Dutch clients work in English, but Dutch opens local SMEs.

Hiring a freelancer from the Netherlands

Local time in the Netherlands is UTC+1 (UTC+2 in summer), so agree in advance on the hours when you are both available for calls. Describe the task, the deadline and the budget in your first message, ask for examples of similar work, and fix what counts as done before work starts. If the work is for a local audience, a freelancer who knows the language and the market will save you rewrites.

Kits for freelancers in the Netherlands

Kits is an international freelance marketplace that is not tied to one country. Freelancers in the Netherlands can publish services with a portfolio and a clear price, or respond to clients' jobs, and talk to clients in the built-in chat. The first listing on each account is free, and the site works in nine languages, from English and Spanish to Russian, Turkish and Georgian.