Employment contract

Check your employment contract in the Netherlands

Before starting a new job in the Netherlands, take some time to check your employment contract carefully. It contains the main agreements between you and your employer, including your salary, working hours, holidays and other conditions of employment.

Employment contracts can vary considerably depending on the company, sector and type of work. Some conditions may also be determined by a Collective Labour Agreement (CAO).

This guide explains the main points worth checking before you sign a Dutch employment contract.

📄 Employment contract checklist
CHECK	LOOK FOR
Type of contract	Temporary or permanent
Salary	Gross salary, payment date and allowances
Working hours	Hours per week, schedule and overtime arrangements
Holiday	Holiday entitlement and holiday allowance
Trial period	Whether one applies and how long it lasts
Notice	How the contract can be ended and applicable notice periods
CAO	Whether a collective labour agreement applies
Extra benefits	Pension, travel allowance, bonuses, training or company car

What should be included in an employment contract?

Your employer must provide clear written information about the most important conditions of your employment.

Check that your contract or accompanying employment information includes the following:

your name and the name and address of the employer
the location where you will work
your job title or a description of your work
the date you start working
the end date or duration if you have a temporary contract
your gross salary and how and when it is paid
your usual working hours
arrangements for overtime where applicable
your holiday entitlement
holiday allowance
the trial period, if one applies
information about termination and notice periods
whether a CAO applies
pension arrangements where applicable

Carefully review your employment contract before signing it

Temporary or permanent contract?

A Dutch employment contract may be temporary (fixed-term) or permanent.

A temporary contract normally ends on the date specified in the agreement. If you have a temporary contract lasting at least 6 months, your employer will generally have to tell you in writing at least one month before it ends whether the contract will be renewed.

A permanent contract has no predetermined end date and continues until you or your employer terminate it according to the applicable rules.

Check the trial period carefully

A trial period (proeftijd) is not automatically allowed in every employment contract. If it applies, it must normally be agreed in writing.

⏳ Trial periods in the Netherlands
CONTRACT	MAXIMUM TRIAL PERIOD
6 months or less	No trial period
More than 6 months but less than 2 years	Normally 1 month
2 years or longer	Maximum 2 months
Permanent contract	Maximum 2 months

Different arrangements can apply in some situations or under a collective labour agreement, so always check the conditions that apply to your particular contract.

Salary, holiday allowance and working hours

Your contract should make it clear what your gross salary is, how often you are paid and how many hours you are expected to work.

Also check whether the salary mentioned includes or excludes holiday allowance (vakantiegeld) and whether there are additional payments for overtime, irregular hours, evenings or weekends.

If your sector has a CAO, it may contain additional rules about salary, working hours, overtime, holidays, pension and other employment conditions.

Other conditions worth checking

Depending on the job, your contract may also contain agreements about:

annual bonuses or a 13th-month payment
travel expenses
pension contributions
training and education
a laptop or mobile phone
a company car
working from home
confidentiality
non-compete or non-solicitation clauses

Do not assume that a bonus or other benefit is guaranteed simply because it was mentioned during the interview. If something is important to you, make sure the agreement is clearly written in the contract or another official employment document.

If your employer provides accommodation

If your job also includes accommodation, check the conditions particularly carefully.

Make sure you understand:

how much rent you will pay
which utilities or other costs are deducted
whether accommodation costs are deducted directly from your salary
what happens to your accommodation if your employment ends
whether registration at the address is possible

Employment and accommodation can sometimes be closely linked, particularly when working through an employment agency, so read both agreements before signing.

Clauses you should understand before signing

Some contracts contain clauses that can have consequences after you leave the company.

A confidentiality clause may restrict you from sharing company information. A non-compete clause may restrict certain work for competitors after leaving your employer.

Do not sign a clause you do not understand. Ask the employer to explain it and, if the consequences could be significant, consider obtaining independent legal advice.

Things to check before you sign

✅ Before signing your contract
CHECK	WHY
Gross salary	Know what salary taxes and deductions will be based on
Hours	Check contracted hours and expected schedule
Holiday allowance	Check how and when it is paid
CAO	It may give you additional employment rights
Trial period	Check whether it is legally allowed and how long it lasts
Notice and end date	Understand how and when the employment can end
Housing deductions	Know exactly what will be deducted from your salary

Where to get help with an employment contract

If there is something in your contract that you do not understand or you think a condition may be unfair, ask for advice before signing.

Juridisch Loket provides legal information and advice on issues including employment, dismissal, housing and other legal problems. Eligibility for more extensive assistance can depend on your income and personal circumstances.

You can find information and contact details on the Juridisch Loket Rotterdam website.

You can also read our guides about finding a job in Rotterdam and employment agencies in Rotterdam.

Important: the information on this page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Employment law and collective agreements can change, and individual contracts may have different conditions. If you are unsure about your rights or obligations, seek professional legal advice.

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