HR Resources for Employers in the Netherlands
Everything we publish for international employers in the Netherlands, in one place: 45 free employer guides, 26 articles, client case studies, quick answers and a free guide to the 2026 HR rules.
Guides to employing people in the Netherlands
45 free guides on Dutch employment law, company setup and HR compliance, grouped by the situation you are in.
HR Settlers
Set up your Dutch entity, register as an employer and hire your first people, visas included.
- Work Permits & Visa Sponsorship
- Hiring Your First Employee
- Netherlands B.V. vs Branch Office: Which Is Right for You?
- 30% Ruling Application Guide for 2026
HR Teams
Contracts, payroll, leave, sickness and works councils: the everyday HR of a Dutch team.
- Managing Sick Leave
- Guide to Dutch Employment Contracts
- Parental Leave Policies
- Works Council Requirements
HR S.O.S.
Dismissals, disputes and investigations: situations where you must act fast and get it right.
- How to Dismiss an Employee
- Drafting a Settlement Agreement (VSO)
- Emergency Dismissal (Ontslag op Staande Voet)
- Handling Workplace Conflict
Starting a business from your country
Company setup, registration and hiring, explained for companies coming to the Netherlands from 10 countries.
Latest articles
26 articles on Dutch employment law, HR practice and leading international teams.
Interim HR in the Netherlands: The CV Is the Easy Part
Two Years of Salary: What International Employers Get Wrong About Sick Leave in the Netherlands
EU Pay Transparency: The Risk of Waiting and Why It's Not a Silver Bullet
Netherlands HR Update: Crucial Compliance Shifts for International Employers (H2 2026)
Client Case Studies
Real engagements with measurable outcomes. See how we work.
Turning Absenteeism from a Cost into a Managed Risk
High absenteeism is one of the most significant and often underestimated cost drivers in Dutch organisations. For…
Read Case StudyDelivering a Complex Site Closure: On Time and Under Budget
When a multinational client decided to consolidate operations and close its Dutch site, they faced a tight timeline…
Read Case StudyBuilding Culturally Aware Leaders Across Organisations
In international and multicultural organisations, leadership effectiveness is deeply shaped by cultural background, yet…
Read Case Study
The Most Important HR Rules & Regulations in 2026
A short guide to the Dutch employment rules international employers need to know in 2026, from the first contract to a dismissal.
What's inside
- Employment contracts and the chain rule
- Working time, holidays and statutory leave
- Minimum wage, holiday allowance and pensions
- Sickness and reintegration duties
- Dismissal routes and the transition payment
- Works councils, privacy and CAOs
What HRhelp does, in 60 seconds
Who we help, our four solutions and how pricing works. Captions are on, so it works with the sound off.
- The HR you take on when you hire in the Netherlands
- Four solutions, from market entry to HR emergencies
- Senior consultants and a fixed price, agreed upfront
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions international employers ask us most.
How long does it take to hire an employee in the Netherlands?
Typically 2-4 weeks for the administrative setup, though this varies based on nationality and visa requirements. For EU citizens, the process is faster. For non-EU citizens requiring a Highly Skilled Migrant visa, allow 4-6 weeks.
How does sick leave work under Dutch law?
Dutch employers must continue paying at least 70% of an employee's salary during illness for up to 2 years (104 weeks). You're also required to follow the Wet Poortwachter reintegration process and engage an Arbo (occupational health) service.
Can you help with the 30% ruling for expats?
Absolutely. We handle the entire application process for the 30% ruling, from evaluating eligibility to submission to the tax authorities (Belastingdienst). We also advise on the recent changes to the ruling.
What does a typical engagement look like?
We offer retainer-based advisory for ongoing support, and fixed-price projects for specific needs like restructuring, compliance audits, or recruitment campaigns. Every engagement starts with a free consultation.
Do you support companies outside the Netherlands?
Yes. While we specialize in Dutch employment law, our network of partners covers the EU and UK for cross-border employment matters, expat onboarding, and 30% ruling applications.
Need hands-on help?
When a guide is not enough, our consultants do the work with you. These are the three areas we are most often brought in for.
Free Consultation
Book a no-obligation consultation to discuss your HR challenges with our experts.
