A tour bus carrying German high school students was involved in a serious accident with a delivery van last night on the A28 near Wezep in Gelderland.
According to NOS, there were more than 50 people on board the coach, including the schoolchildren, when it rear-ended the van at around 4:15 AM.
The coach then swerved before crashing on its side on the other side of the road. The delivery van was split in two by the collision.
Eight people taken to hospital
Police report that eight people were taken from the scene to hospital, some of whom are seriously injured. The driver of the van is amongst those in hospital.
Several others sustained minor injuries, mostly caused by the glass from the windows.
A28 closed until evening rush hour
The NOS reports that the A28 is closed in both directions while an investigation is underway. The Rijkswaterstaat expects it will remain closed until the evening rush hour.
As a result, morning commuters in the area are experiencing delays.
I doubt I’m the only international in the Netherlands who’s lived through an embarrassing episode of trying to use a Mastercard in a Dutch supermarket — only to pack everything back after my card was declined. 😬
My lesson was learned. After this incident, I started hunting for the closest bank to set up my first Dutch bank account. Turns out it’s echt handig (very handy) to have one!
In the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander is King, and cash is not! Don’t make the same mistake I did, because you’ll find life much easier with a Dutch bank card.
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1. Get connected with a Dutch mobile data subscription
If you’ll be living in the Netherlands for longer than a month, a Dutch mobile data subscription is the best tool for keeping in touch with your loved ones.
There’s a provider for every price bracket, with budget providers like Simyo offering the basics, and KPN, Vodafone, and Odido offering high-speed, unlimited data packages.
A Dutch data connection is the best way to stay in touch with your loved ones! Image: Magnific
The one downside, however? Unless you’re opting for a prepaid bundle, you’ll need a Dutch bank account and card to pay for your data.
2. Actually pay for your food at Albert Heijn
If you live in the Netherlands, you have also been to an Albert Heijn. That’s just a fact. And if you’ve been there, you also know that having a Dutch bank account is quite, well, essential.
Albert Heijn is one of the biggest supermarkets in the country; you can find them everywhere.
However, several only accept Dutch debit cards, meaning you can try to play Russian Roulette with your international card, but you’ll likely be standing there like a fool with a stack of food you can’t pay for (cue flashbacks).
And we know what you’re thinking: there’s a little something called cash… but nee! You can’t even pay in cash in some of their stores.
If we don’t have you convinced now, then think about self-checkout. If you want to skip the queuing, just use their self-checkout terminals and pay with your Dutch bank account!
3. Set up an NS subscription (and save on train travel!)
If you often travel in the Netherlands, you probably already have an OV-chipkaart or you’ve already switched to OVpay.
Connecting your Dutch bank account allows you to access the NS’ range of subscriptions, from off-peak discounts to seasonal tickets. In a country with increasingly expensive travel costs, every euro saved counts!
Dutch trains are frequently late, often crowded, and cost an arm and a leg… but at least there are discounts! Image: Dreamstime
For those who often travel during off-peak hours (from 9 AM to 4 PM and 6.30 PM to 6.30 AM) on weekdays, you can get a 40% discount with NS’ Dal Voordeel.
Meanwhile, if you do most of your commuting over the weekends, NS’ Weekend Vrij deal has your back, with unlimited travel during the weekends and on public holidays.
As someone who needs to commute to the DutchReview office, I love being able to arrange a travel subscription that saves me money — and I could only set mine up with a Dutch IBAN.
4. Rent a car in the Netherlands
If you don’t want to use a car or motorcycle in the city but do know how to drive, shared mobility apps can be an option for you.
You can pay for them per minute, so you never have to spend your time and money on any maintenance issues. (Unless, of course, you crash your moped into a canal. Then perhaps you’ll have some costs to cover!)
With a Dutch bank account, you can easily create an account and zoom all over the Netherlands on two or four borrowed wheels.
If you don’t have a Dutch account, however, in most cases, you’ll either have to hike it or bike it.
5. Avoid transfer costs with a euro account
One of the most important reasons to get a Dutch bank account: if you come from a country with a different currency to the euro, you’ll find it veryexpensive to use that card.
You may even need money transfer services like Wise to make or receive foreign payments.
With my Dutch bank card, I don’t need to worry about converting the Hungarian forint into euros. Image: Magnific
If you get a Dutch card, you can use it without paying the transfer price.
For many internationals, this is the main reason they get a Dutch bank account. (Need we remind you of how expensive life in the Netherlands actually is? 👀)
6. Send and receive Tikkies
And, of course, there’s Tikkie. This is your best tool to collect all those little debts from your friends after a Friday night — shamelessly.
Tikkie is an online payment app that allows you to forward payment requests to people via WhatsApp or pay through a QR code.
It’s super handy to have it on your phone because sooner or later, someone will send you a Tikkie for 87 cents because you spent a whole hour in their house when the heating was on.
(And, trust us, you’re gonna want to be able to pay it!)
Fun fact! Did you know 10,000 Tikkie payments for under €2 are sent per month in the Netherlands? If you don’t have a Dutch Maestro card, you can’t use this app, and we all know that you will need (or want) it at some point!
7. Use iDEAL when shopping online
If you sometimes do online bank transactions while shopping on Dutch webshops, you probably already bumped into our little friend, iDEAL.
This platform is ideal (see what we did there?) for making secure payments while shopping online if you don’t want to share your bank details.
Trust us, iDEAL is super handy. Image: DutchReview
The Dutch are also crazily in love with this method of online payment. You only transfer the amount of money you need for your Bol purchases without sharing any card information.
The appeal of iDEAL is undeniable — but if you have an international bank card, it’ll be noDeal.
You’ll generally require a Dutch bank account to use this payment system (which is often the only option when online shopping in the Netherlands).
Good to know: With iDEAL set to be phased out in favour of Wero, this won’t be a stumbling block you’ll encounter for much longer. Unlike its predecessor, Wero is a pan-European payment system, meant to handle transactions between various EU countries, not just the Netherlands.
You will undoubtedly benefit from having a local bank card while living in the Netherlands, and it’s super easy to set one up!
Not sure which bank to opt for? Watch our founder break down the most popular options for internationals:
Do you already have a Dutch bank account? What is your ultimate tip for people who have just received their cards? Let us know in the comments!
Mobile package deals in the Netherlands can save you serious money; here’s everything you need to know about bundling your SIM, internet, TV, and even energy into one package.
With so many options available on the Dutch market, it can be hard to choose the best mobile provider for your budget and situation.
In this guide, we’ve broken down the best mobile package deals available right now and what to look for when choosing one.
This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.
What does a Dutch mobile package contain?
A mobile package in the Netherlands is any deal that bundles your mobile subscription with one or more additional services.
The most common combinations include:
A SIM plan with a home internet subscription: This is where your SIM plan and internet are billed together, usually at a lower rate combined rate.
A SIM plan with a mobile phone included: This is also called a mobiel abonnement (or mobile subscription), and it involves paying off the cost of a device in monthly instalments alongside your data and call bundle.
A mobile plan combined with a home internet and TV package: This is a classic alles-in-1 (all-in-1) connection package, and offers you internet, television, and a mobile subscription from one provider.
A mobile plan bundled with an energy contract: This combines gas, electricity, internet, and mobile into a single household package (typically with combined discounts).
Best Dutch mobile package deals in 2026
From SIM and internet bundles to mobile plans combined with energy contracts, these are our top picks for package deals in the Netherlands.
Simyo has been voted the Netherlands’ best mobile provider over 37 times by the Consumentenbond, and their deals are just the icing on the cake.
With their SamenKorting bundle, adding a SIM for anyone at your address will give you both €10 off every month. Already have KPN home internet? Simyo Compleet gets you up to 10 GB extra data per month for free on top of that. Each person manages their own bundle, but everything sits in one app.
As Budget Mobiel’s parent company also covers Budget Internet and Budget Energie, you can sort your gas, electricity, internet, and mobile in one go.
Bundle any two Budget Thuis services and a combikorting automatically applies, with a mobile discount of €2.50 per month across five subscriptions at the same address. The more you combine, the more you save.
KPN is the biggest telecoms provider in the Netherlands, and their Combivoordeel programme rewards you for keeping everything under one roof.
If you combine internet and mobile services, you get up to €7.50 off per month on your mobile plan, double data for every SIM at your address, and a monthly streaming service on the house. Add TV for even higher benefits!
Vodafone and Ziggo are part of the same company, and their bundle deal gives you the best of both worlds. If both services are registered at the same address, perks kick in within two weeks.
You get €20 off every Vodafone plan per month, double data, a free TV add-on, and Safe Online XL security for up to 20 devices. In our opinion, that’s good value if you’re already a Ziggo customer or planning to become one.
Youfone operates entirely online, which keeps their prices super affordable. If you pair a SIM with a home internet plan (TV optional), their Youfone Compleet package kicks in automatically.
With it, you get up to 20 GB extra data a month, a free data cap so there are no nasty bill surprises, and ESPN Compleet thrown in if you add TV. New customers can even get up to 12 months at half price with a 2-year plan.
When it comes to picking the best mobile package, your decision will likely boil down to a few factors:
Decide whether you want SIM-only or a phone included
If your current mobile phone is working fine, then opting for a SIM-only subscription is the smarter move. These tend to offer the lowest monthly fees, avoid a BKR credit registration, and you don’t need to pay associated costs for device financing.
However, if you need a new mobile, then check whether a SIM and mobile package makes financial sense compared to buying the phone outright.
Assess how much data you’ll use per month
If you’re mostly reliant on Wi-Fi at home and in the office, then a modest data bundle (5–15GB) is probably enough.
Meanwhile, for those who use more mobile data, a larger data bundle (25GB+) or unlimited data would be more your speed.
Always assess your data needs upfront, or you may end up overpaying for your plan (or running out of data halfway through the month). Image: DepositPhotos.com
Many package deals include extra data as a perk, so factor that in before settling on a base bundle size.
Think about contract length and flexibility
Longer contracts usually mean better pricing, but require you to be locked into a one- or two-year plan. While monthly contracts typically cost more, they offer you much greater flexibility.
If you’re uncertain how long you’ll stay in the Netherlands or you’re undecided on your choice of provider, it’s best to steer clear of long-term contracts.
Check if you need to set up your utilities, too
If you’ve just landed in the Netherlands and need to set up your energy contract, internet, and mobile data connection, it’s worth looking at providers that bundle a SIM card with other utilities.
In addition to getting everything sorted at once, you’re also likely to get access to discounts, driving the combined price down.
Have you tried a mobile package deal in the Netherlands? Share your experiences in the comments below.
Dutch mobile package deals: Frequently asked questions
What does a Dutch mobile package usually consist of?
A Dutch mobile package typically combines a SIM-only subscription (or a SIM with a phone) with one or more home services; most commonly home internet, but sometimes also TV or an energy contract.
Many packages automatically apply discounts when you bundle multiple services at the same address.
Can I combine internet and TV with my Dutch SIM plan?
Yes, KPN, Youfone, Vodafone, and others all offer packages that combine mobile, home internet, and television.
What’s the best Dutch mobile package for families?
Simyo Compleet is one of the most family-friendly mobile deals in the Netherlands. Both subscribers at the same address receive a €10 discount when you add a family member’s SIM via the Mijn Simyo app.
Meanwhile, KPN’s Combivoordeel also includes double data for every mobile plan at the address, which is useful in multi-phone households.
Can I combine my Dutch mobile plan with a gas and electricity contract?
Yes, some providers like Budget Thuis (the parent company of Budget Mobiel and Budget Energie) offer bundled mobile and energy contracts.
Getting a Dutch mobile number can be a complex process, especially if you’re an international who’s just landed in the Netherlands.
As internationals ourselves, we’ve already crested that wave and are here to pass on the wisdom so you can get your own Dutch mobile number.
Need a Dutch phone number, fast? You needn’t be a tech wizard to install and activate Simyo’s eSIMs. With easy-to-follow guides and award-winning service, they’ll get you connected in minutes.
While it sounds simple on paper, using a foreign mobile number in the Netherlands can quickly get more complicated than trying to pronounce “Scheveningen” after three beers.
In addition to expensive data roaming fees, you’ll have to contend with certain utilities and services that require a local mobile number. Some internationals even report that their Dutch GPs won’t accept registrations made with foreign numbers. 👀
There are several reasons why you will need a Dutch phone number. Image: Magnific
If you’re visiting from another European country, the EU’s “roam like at home” policy will generally allow you to use your mobile data in the Netherlands.
However, if your Dutch roaming consumption exceeds your domestic usage, your EU mobile data provider may charge you additional fees.
For most internationals, it’s much easier to just get a Dutch phone number.
Step one: Decide between SIM-only, prepaid, or a mobile contract
Before you dash off to the nearest telecommunications store and grab any old SIM card, it’s important to discuss which SIM or phone plan best suits your needs.
In the Netherlands, there are three options to choose from:
SIM-only plans
As their name suggests, these are monthly SIM plans for a fixed amount of mobile data, call minutes, and texts.
As these plans generally work out relatively cheap in the long run, they’re a great option if you’ll be living in the Netherlands for a year or longer and have a BSN (citizen service number).
Not staying that long? Well, although most SIM-only plans have a minimum subscription term of one to two years, some providers do offer monthly terminability for an extra fee.
If you’re a tourist or an international who hasn’t got your BSN yet, prepaid SIMs are your best friend.
With a prepaid SIM, you typically pay in advance for your mobile data, call minutes, and texts. These are often sold as bundles and can be topped up when your prepaid balance runs low.
Since there’s no contract involved, you needn’t provide a BSN and proof of address, or pass a credit check.
Ideal for long-term residents who also want a new phone, mobile contracts are the full package.
You get a monthly subscription with mobile data, call minutes, and texts, with a brand-new cell phone that’ll be paid off over the duration of your contract.
While these contracts offer a great two-in-one solution, be warned: you’ll generally need to commit to a one- or two-year SIM plan, must have a BSN, and may also be required to pass a credit assessment.
Whether you’re keen as a bean to try out a SIM-only plan, prepaid SIM, or mobile contract, Simyooffers stellar options for all three. Combining affordable prices with great speed and coverage, you’re guaranteed to get your money’s worth.
Step two: Choose a Dutch mobile data provider
Have you got your eye on a particular SIM plan? Goedzo, now it’s time to choose a mobile data provider.
And how should you choose a Dutch mobile data provider? Image: Magnific
The Netherlands has a highly competitive telecommunications market, which gives you a wide choice of premium and budget providers. However, you’ll want to consider factors like:
The availability of English-language support, as not all providers offer this
The coverage in your area, especially if you live in the countryside or near the Dutch border
The overall speed of your connection
The size of your provider’s data packages, and whether or not they offer unlimited data
Whether your provider actually supports eSIMs
To familiarise yourself with what’s out there, you can access comparison tools like those offered by the Consumentenbond and Prijsvergelijken. (Or read our guides on international-friendly SIM providers in the Netherlands. 👋)
Step three: Purchase your physical SIM card (or get an eSIM)
With your plan and provider selected, you’re ready to purchase a Dutch SIM. But is it better to opt for a physical SIM or just download an eSIM instead?
Physical SIM cards
When it comes to SIM-only plans or mobile contracts with a physical SIM card, you’ll typically need to visit a telecommunications shop or buy one online.
Contracts, especially, often need some additional paperwork. (So don’t be surprised if you’re asked for your BSN, ID card or passport, proof of address, and perhaps even a credit check.)
Physical prepaid SIMs generally don’t require these and are sold at a wider range of locations, including corner shops and supermarkets.
Good to know: For tourists or new internationals touching down at Schiphol Airport, there are kiosks with (physical) prepaid Dutch SIM cards when you leave immigration and security.
eSIMs
If you’re looking to skip the hassle of heading to a brick-and-mortar store (or hoping PostNL doesn’t lose your new physical SIM), eSIMs are a far more convenient option.
As these are digital SIM cards, you can use a provider’s mobile app to buy one and get connected before you’ve even landed in the Netherlands.
However, you’ll want to first confirm if they’re compatible with your device, because older models tend not to support eSIMs.
Step four: Insert and activate your new Dutch SIM
Depending on which plan you opt for, activating your new SIM card is a quick and stress-free process.
You can choose between a physical SIM card and an eSIM. Image: Magnific
For physical SIM cards, you can start by turning off your mobile and using a SIM ejector tool (or a paperclip, if you have one on hand) to open its SIM tray. Then, carefully insert your SIM card, reinsert the tray, and turn your mobile back on.
In most cases, your new SIM card will activate automatically, and you’ll be able to use it straight away.
Team eSIM, instead? Hoera, you can skip all the manual fiddling, because activation is even easier.
Once you’ve purchased your eSIM online (or via a mobile app), you’ll typically receive a QR code or download link with a detailed installation guide.
Step five: Top up your mobile data
Okay, you’ve got the goods… now what?
If you’ve opted for a mobile contract or SIM-only plan, the good news is that your subscription very likely auto-renews each month. So, unless your mobile data, call minutes, or texts have run out mid-month, you needn’t pay for a top-up.
If you’ve opted for a prepaid SIM, on the other hand, you will need to top up your plan when needed.
The most straightforward option is using your SIM provider’s mobile app to top up your subscription. However, many carriers also allow you to top up via their online payment portals, and some even offer SMS top-ups.
Let op! Depending on your provider, you might need a Dutch bank account to make payments.
Do you have any burning questions about getting a Dutch SIM card? Let us know in the comments!
The Netherlands is known as the country of cheese and bicycles, and for being the flat European country below sea level. As it turns out, the city of Gouda is especially in trouble.
With a city centre that floods regularly and houses that slowly sag, Gouda’s inner city drops between three and 10 millimetres per year, says National Geographic.
While that doesn’t sound like a lot, the cheesy namesake has been sinking for a THOUSAND years. So, what’s being done to save the so-called Groene Hart (Green Heart) of the Netherlands?
A bit of engineering history
Dutchies strategically built canals, dunes, and walls to live around (and on top of) reclaimed land from the North Sea.
Like most of the Netherlands, Gouda was built on the same reclaimed land, which has especially soft soil. Within 100 years, the city sinks anywhere from 30 centimetres to one metre.
The fact that the city has been sinking wasn’t a problem for a very long time, but sentiments are slowly changing, especially given the impact of climate change.
Six metres under
The tactics of the Gouda residents were pretty simple: make sure the home was built on a raised floor. The more the house sank, the higher they would raise the floors.
If (and when) they noticed their heads were getting close to the ceiling or the house sagged too much, they demolished the entire house and used the debris to build a new one.
But as time went on, the debris piled up (or piled below?), and now there’s at least six metres of debris beneath the city.
And to make matters worse, the city’s foundation is STILL sinking — and it’s getting dangerously close to groundwater, which increases the nuisance for residents even more.
Raising the city and fighting floods
Now, the city has a plan to keep water off the streets by using some of those top-notch Dutch engineering and water management skills.
By regulating the water levels in and around the city, the municipality has created a polder (an artificial body of water for water regulation) around Gouda. While the sinking is irreversible, this slows it down with minimal intervention.
But Gouda isn’t the only city in trouble.
As Gilles Erkens of Deltares tells National Geographic: “There are nine million people living and working [on weak grounds]. As sea levels rise, every inch of height loss is a deterioration of our future prospects.”
Did you know that Gouda was slowly sinking? Share your thoughts in the comments.
The NS is running extra trains between Amsterdam Centraal and Zandvoort aan Zee from this Friday (August 21) to Sunday (August 23).
The Dutch rail provider predicts thousands of fans will descend on the coast for the last-ever Dutch Grand Prix under Formula 1’s current contract.
To make room for the surge, the NS has reshuffled its timetable across several routes through to this Sunday. Even if you aren’t travelling to Zandvoort, there’s a chance your commute might be affected.
Here’s what to know, from extra trains to route changes and even special tickets.
This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.
NS now offers special day tickets (with a Saturday discount)
In addition to organising extra trains to and from Zandvoort, NS is selling event-specific rail tickets for the Grand Prix weekend.
If you haven’t got an OVpas (or OV-chipkaart) and you’re looking to avoid queues at the ticket machine, you can opt for:
Dutch Grand Prix Dagretour: This is a one-day ticket, valid for a return journey from any station across the Netherlands to Zandvoort aan Zee. Staying over the weekend instead? You can adjust your travel days with the Dutch Grand Prix Terugreis.
Dutch Grand Prix Railrunner: Similar to the Dagretour, this is a one-day ticket specifically for children aged 4 to 11. Got children younger than that? Good news: they can travel for free!
Dutch Grand Prix Heenreis: If you’re staying in Zandvoort over the weekend, this one-day ticket will take you straight to Zandvoort aan Zee (with no return journey).
All the tickets allow you to choose between first and second class, but you’ll have to leave your trusty fiets behind, because bikes aren’t permitted.
For commuters travelling on a Saturday, the rail provider notes that you can get discounts of up to 60% if you arrive in Zandvoort before 9 AM, with an NS PrijsTijd Deal.
Helaas, other commuters may experience delays
Of course, there’s always a catch somewhere. In this case, the NS warns that several rail timetables have been changed to accommodate the Grand Prix routes.
While the news bulletin wasn’t forthcoming about which routes, specifically, have been altered, the rail provider advises consulting their reisplanner (or journey planner) before you take the train this weekend.
In addition to altered routes, the NS suggests allowing for “longer transfer and waiting times than usual”, even if you aren’t travelling to Zandvoort.
Will you be braving the crowds among the sand dunes, watching the action at home, or cursing a weekend of rail chaos? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Got a Dutch employment contract in front of you and no idea where to start? You’re not alone — and no, it’s not just because it might be written in Dutch.
Dutch contracts are legally dense, full of references to laws and agreements you’ve never heard of, and written in a format that probably looks nothing like what you signed back home.
The good news? Once you know what you’re looking at, it all makes a lot more sense.
This guide breaks down every key section of a Dutch employment contract so you know exactly what you’re agreeing to.
📄 The basics of Dutch employment contracts
Dutch employment contracts are legally binding documents shaped by more than just what your employer decides to write in them.
Dutch labour law (arbeidsrecht) sets a baseline of rights and obligations for both sides. Your contract has to comply with these rules; your employer can’t opt out of legal protections simply by not mentioning them.
Many sectors also have a CAO — a collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst, or Collective Labour Agreement. This is a set of working conditions negotiated between employers and trade unions in a given industry.
If your sector has a CAO, it applies to your contract automatically, even if it’s not spelled out line by line. Things like minimum salary scales, extra leave days, and bonus structures are often determined by the CAO rather than your individual contract.
Most internationals have never heard of a CAO before arriving, but it can turn out to be one of the most important documents governing your employment.
If your contract references one, it’s worth looking it up.
Want to understand exactly how Dutch contracts and benefits work?Undutchables is the go-to recruitment agency for internationals in the Netherlands. They regularly host webinars covering everything from contract types to what your benefits package actually means. Learn more about contracts and benefits here.
📑 Types of Dutch employment contracts (contracten)
There are two main contract types in the Netherlands, and the one you have makes a significant difference to your job security.
Temporary contract (Tijdelijk contract)
A tijdelijk contract — or fixed-term contract — has a clear end date. It’s extremely common in the Netherlands, especially for internationals who are newer to the Dutch job market.
Temporary contracts can be renewed, but there are limits. The Dutch “chain rule” (ketenregeling) means that after three consecutive temporary contracts (or once you’ve been on temporary contracts for a total of three years), your employer must offer you a permanent contract if they want to keep you on.
There are two main types of contracts you can get in the Netherlands: temporary and permanent. Image: Magnific
The chain only resets if there’s a gap of more than six months between contracts.
Do you have an agency employment contract with a recruitment agency? Then the rules are slightly different. In this case, you move through a phase system and may receive temporary contracts for up to 4 years.
A vast contract has no end date, which means significantly more job security. It’s much harder for your employer to terminate a permanent contract — they generally need approval from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) or a court ruling to do so.
If you’re currently on a temporary contract, a vast contract is usually the goal. It unlocks things like improved mortgage eligibility, more stable residency in some cases, and a much stronger legal position if things go wrong.
Good to know: The ABU/NBBU are constantly improving the CAO to provide more stability and security for temporary workers. If that vast contract is out of reach, there are still possibilities to receive a werkgeversverklaring. This can help with your eligibility for a mortgage, for example.
⏳ Probation periods (Proeftijd)
Most Dutch contracts include a probation period, known as a proeftijd. This trial phase gives both you and your employer the chance to assess whether the working relationship is a good fit.
Either party can end the contract immediately during this period — without notice and without giving a reason.
The length and availability of your probation period will depend on the length of your contract. Image: Magnific
The length depends on your contract type:
For contracts of six months or less, a probation period is not permitted at all.
For temporary contracts of more than six months but less than two years, the maximum is one month.
For permanent contracts or temporary contracts of two years or longer, the maximum is two months.
Any probation period must be agreed upon in writing. If it isn’t, it doesn’t count — and an invalid probation clause is treated as if there’s no probation period at all, meaning full dismissal protections apply from day one.
📬 Notice periods (Opzegtermijn)
When either party wants to end the employment relationship, a notice period applies — but the rules differ depending on which side is walking away.
As an employee, your statutory notice period is almost always one month, regardless of how long you’ve been in the role, unless your contract specifies otherwise.
As an employer, the statutory notice period depends on your length of service:
Time with employer
Notice period
Less than five years
One month
Five to ten years
Two months
Ten to fifteen years
Three months
Fifteen years or more
Four months
It’s also worth knowing that your employer can’t simply decide to let you go. Dismissal requires UWV approval, a court ruling, or mutual agreement (wederzijds goedvinden).
The latter is often documented in a settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst), which is how many Dutch dismissals are handled in practice.
💶 Salary (Salaris)
Salary is obviously the part everyone reads first, but it’s more layered than just one number.
Make sure you understand the difference between your gross and net salary. Image: Magnific
Gross vs net
Your contract will state your gross salary (bruto salaris), which is before tax and social security contributions.
What actually lands in your bank account each month — your net salary (netto salaris) — will be lower, sometimes considerably so.
The exact gap depends on your income level and personal tax situation. You can use a bruto/netto calculator to help get an idea of what will land in your bank account, although this remains just an estimate.
Holiday allowance (Vakantiegeld)
One thing that surprises many internationals: in the Netherlands, you’re legally entitled to a holiday allowance (vakantiegeld) of at least 8% of your annual gross salary.
This is typically paid out in a lump sum in May or June, though some employers pay it monthly as part of your regular salary instead. Either way, it should be clearly stated in your contract.
Minimum holiday days
The Dutch statutory minimum is 20 days of paid leave per year for a full-time position — calculated as four times your number of working hours per week.
That means that if you work a four-day work week (that’s pretty common!), you’ll receive 16 days of paid leave per year.
Many employers offer more than this, particularly in sectors covered by a CAO.
Common extras
Beyond the basics, many Dutch employment contracts include:
Pension contribution (pensioen): employers often contribute to a pension scheme, and this is sometimes mandatory under a CAO.
Travel allowance (reiskostenvergoeding): compensation for commuting costs, paid per kilometre or as a flat rate for public transport.
Thirteenth month or year-end bonus: not universal, but worth checking your CAO or asking during negotiations.
Reading your Dutch payslip
Your monthly payslip (loonstrook) can look overwhelming at first. Key things to look for: your gross salary, tax deductions (loonheffing), social security contributions, any allowances, and your net pay.
Always double-check that these figures match those in your employment contract. Image: Depositphotos
Your employer is required to provide this every month. It’s worth checking it against your contract to make sure everything lines up.
Making sense of your salary and benefits is a lot easier with the right support.Undutchables helps internationals understand not just how to find work in the Netherlands, but exactly what they’re entitled to once they get there — from payslips to pension contributions. Get in touch with Undutchables here.
🕒 Working hours (Werktijden)
Full-time employment in the Netherlands typically means 36 to 40 hours per week, depending on the employer and sector.
Part-time work is extremely common here — and culturally very accepted. The Netherlands has one of the highest rates of part-time employment in Europe, and working fewer hours doesn’t carry the career stigma it might elsewhere.
Work-life balance is genuinely prioritised in Dutch working culture. Overtime exists, but it’s far less normalised than in many other countries, and in many sectors it must be compensated, either in pay or in time off.
🤒 Sick leave (Ziekteverlof)
If you fall ill while employed in the Netherlands, you’re entitled to continued pay for up to two years through your sick leave.
The legal minimum is 70% of your salary throughout, though many employers pay 100% during the first year, either through their own policy or because their CAO requires it.
Your employer cannot simply fire you for being sick. There’s also a formal reintegration process (re-integratietraject) that kicks in for longer absences, with obligations on both sides.
🤝 Freelancing as a ZZP’er
Not everyone working in the Netherlands does so under a traditional employment contract. Many people work as a ZZP’er— zelfstandige zonder personeel, or self-employed (aka freelancer) without staff.
As a ZZP’er, you operate very differently from an employee:
No fixed salary: you invoice for your work, and income can vary significantly.
No sick pay or holiday allowance by default: you’re responsible for arranging your own income protection and pension.
Different tax obligations: you handle your own taxes and VAT registration, and your income is assessed differently.
Freelancing offers flexibility, but the trade-off is less financial certainty and more administrative responsibility.
ZZP’ers in the Netherlands work without a traditional Dutch employment contract. Image: Magnific
One important thing to stay informed about is the Wet DBA (Deregulering Beoordeling Arbeidsrelaties) — the Dutch law governing the relationship between freelancers and their clients.
It’s designed to ensure workers don’t lose benefits by being made to work as contractors, and enforcement has been tightened in recent years. U-Connect has a useful overview of what to keep in mind in order to stay compliant.
⚠️ Pitfalls to watch out for in your Dutch contract
Misreading your salary. Seeing a number and assuming it’s your take-home pay is a very common trap. Always clarify whether a figure is gross or net, when exactly you get paid, and factor in holiday allowance when comparing offers.
Ignoring the CAO. Your contract might say very little about certain entitlements because they’re covered by the applicable CAO instead. If your contract references one, look it up; it can contain significant extras your employer doesn’t need to spell out individually.
Not reading additional documents. Your contract may also refer to a separate document, such as an employee handbook. It’s important to carefully read through this before signing your contract, as it may lay out the expectations and further benefits tied to your role.
Misunderstanding the probation period. A common assumption is that once probation ends, you’re safe. But the type of contract you’re on matters just as much: a temporary contract still ends when its term does, regardless of whether you sailed through probation.
Assuming Dutch rules match those back home. This trips up nearly everyone. Salary structures, sick pay, notice periods, and contract renewal rules all work differently here. Don’t carry over assumptions from your home country’s system.
✅ Tips for your Dutch employment contract
Read the whole thing, not just the salary section. Pay particular attention to the contract type, probation period, notice period, and any non-compete clauses (concurrentiebeding).
Look up the applicable CAO if one is mentioned. It’s a public document and often reveals entitlements your employer doesn’t need to list individually.
Ask questions before you sign. Your employer should expect this — and if they’re not willing to clarify, that itself tells you something.
Get it reviewed if needed. If you’re unsure about specific clauses, particularly non-compete terms or unusual termination conditions, independent advice is worth it.
Keep a signed copy for yourself. Obvious, but often overlooked.
Dutch employment law is genuinely designed to protect workers. Knowing what your contract says puts you in the best position to benefit from those protections from day one.
Have you had any surprises reading your Dutch employment contract? Share your experience in the comments below!
We’ve discussed many of the strange things that Dutch people do, and we know that the Dutch have an odd habit of bringing their own boterhammen to work instead of taking a good long siesta. But we’ve never discussed precisely just how weird Dutch bread toppings are.
It seems each culture has its own way of veering from the normalcy of just ham or cheese on bread.
The Aussies have their Vegemite, the Americans have peanut butter and jelly, the Belgians have fries-filled sandwiches (obviously), and the Vietnamese are famous for their banh mi.
Of course, there are many more examples, but let’s get back to the real topic here: explaining why Dutch bread toppings are so exceptionally weird awesome.
1. Hagelslag
Let’s begin with a classic: hagelslag. Perhaps the greatest and most unique of all Dutch bread toppings, hagelslag is every child’s holy grail.
The legendary status of hagelslag has spread across the world to solidify the opinion of the Dutch being straight-up crazy, but that’s based on the misconception that hagelslag is just chocolate sprinkles.
What people often don’t realize is that Dutchies have different types of hagelslag. And we mean a lot of different types.
It’s not a proper ‘boterham’ without a solid layer of butter. Image: Amin/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0
Starting with traditional chocolate, hagelslag can vary from milk chocolate to dark to white. But we also have fruit hagelslag, forest fruit hagelslag, and anise hagelslag.
Not to mention that you can buy XXL varieties, mix-flavour packs, and the occasional limited-edition packs — which we won’t go into because we wouldn’t want to get too crazy (although the coffee flavour comes to mind).
2. Pindakaas (huge amounts of pindakaas)
So there’s nothing inherently strange about pindakaas, or peanut butter, as a Dutch bread topping… until you realise just how it’s treated. In particular, worship of the Calvé brand is a low-key religion.
The Dutch are among the largest consumers of peanut butter in the world and their daily intake of peanut butter is through the roof.
I could explain more, but frankly, I think a visual representation might be good here.
While my childhood abroad means that I don’t have the same reliance on the creamy bread topping, below is a picture illustrating one year’s worth of peanut butter consumption by a close friend of mine.
Yup… just one guy and one year. Image: DutchReview/Supplied
He may be an extreme case, but it’s illustrative nonetheless.
3. Muisjes
Muisjes literally translates to mice, and frankly, it’s one of the stranger additions to this list of Dutch bread toppings. Essentially, they’re little balls of anise covered in a sugar coating.
Think of them like mini M&M’s, but with anise instead of chocolate on the inside. The sugar-coating is also significantly tougher.
This has been happening as far back as the 17th century! For boys, this means blue and white muisjes, and for girls, it’s pink and white muisjes.
Given the increasing acceptance of gender neutrality and fluidity, however, it’s not hard to wonder how long the current colour scheme will last.
4. Smeerkaas
As if the Dutch don’t have enough cheese, we’ve also decided to make it a spreadable paste.
Why? Obviously, because then it’s easier to put on bread, and if we’re feeling lazy, we don’t have to deal with the whole kaasschaaf (cheese knife) nonsense.
Also, by making it into a creamy, spreadable cheese, there’s a whole new flavour to it. (And if it isn’t clear yet, we love variety when it comes to our Dutch bread toppings.)
If you’re curious how it’s done, they just add emulsifying salts to melted cheese in order to maintain its spreadable consistency.
We would go into more detail, but perhaps this isn’t the best place for a chemistry lesson… so on to the next topping!
5. Saté-salade (and 86 other weird salads that are really just mayonnaise)
When it comes to Dutch bread toppings, the Saté-salade represents so much more than just another bread topping.
First, nothing comes closer to looking like an actual sh*t-sandwich than this Dutch bread topping.
Second, the fact that after all that time “spent in Indonesia“, we’ve managed to pick up a culinary delight such as Saté sauce and skillfully make it into a weird-at-best bread topping is the most Dutch thing ever.
Third, how the hell is this a salad? Most of the Saté-saladen you can get in your local Dutch supermarket are not in any way related to what the rest of the world (bar the US) calls a salad.
But yeah, we get why, for marketing reasons, you can’t call it “saté-mayonaise” (we hope it’s mayonnaise, but who knows what is really in there).
6. The great exception to weird Dutch bread toppings: kroket
The kroket is a strange food to list as a Dutch bread topping because it’s also frequently eaten as a standalone dish, but in true Dutch fashion, we decide to put it on our bread anyway.
There isn’t really much that compares to it (except for maybe bitterballen, but the kroket shape is just more convenient).
If you’ve never had kroket before, just imagine a delicious warm ragoutcovered in a crunchy layer of goodness. Now, if you have that in mind, just add mustard and a layer of soft white bread.
White bread is the go-to bread type for a kroket boterham (although my personal preference is a ciabatta). So, there you have it: kroket as a Dutch bread topping.
That’s it for now, but we’ll be back with more weird Dutch bread toppings to discuss!
Think about Filet Americain, smeerworst, vlokken, huzarensalade, sandwich spread, and plenty of other disgusting/Dutch/delicious stuff to put on your boterham.
What’s your favourite guilty pleasure when it comes to strange Dutch bread spreads? Tell us in the comments below!
Groningen residents woke up to a jolt this morning after a tremor of nearly magnitude 3 hit the region.
According to a post on X from the KNMI, the quake struck in the early hours of this morning (Friday, August 21) at 5:50 AM local time. The epicentre was near the village of Rottum, in the municipality of Het Hogeland.
Rocking in at magnitude 2.8 on the Richter scale, it’s the strongest quake to hit the region since March, when a magnitude 3 tremor hit Geelbroek in Drenthe.
Here’s what we know so far
According to the KNMI, the quake was first detected at a depth of 3km beneath Zandeweer, a village in Het Hogeland, Groningen.
The weather and seismological institute classed it as a “geïnduceerde aardbeving” (or “induced earthquake”), which the Dutch Mining Damage Commission notes are often caused by mining in the area, rather than natural fault lines.
And it’s hardly the only mining-related earthquake to hit the region in recent times, with Groningen seeing its third-strongest quake ever in November of last year.
Due to gas extraction in the area, these earthquakes tend to result in more damage, the State Supervision of Mines reports — despite the overall value on the Richter scale remaining comparatively low.
These quakes tend to be quite shallow, occurring at a depth of approximately 3km, which means that they lose far less energy on their way to the surface than regular earthquakes.
Were you in Groningen when the quake hit? Did you feel any tremors? Drop your experience in the comments below.
The Netherlands has joined six other countries in condemning Israel’s decision to open construction bids for the E1 settlement in the occupied West Bank.
As RTL Nieuws reports, Israel has opened a tender for more than 1,200 homes in the E1 area, intended for Israeli settlers.
The Netherlands has now signed a joint statement alongside France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom, Norway, and Canada calling the move “unacceptable”.
Israeli settlements in the area are illegal, co-signees write
The statement asserts that Israeli settlements in the West Bank are illegal under international law — a position they note has been “reaffirmed by the United Nations Security Council”.
All seven signatories urge Israel to retract their plans immediately and “end its expansion of settlements in the West Bank”. Pressing ahead, they claim, would only drive the region further from peace and “further undermine Israel’s international standing”.
Dutch PM Rob Jetten framed the Netherlands’ decision to co-sign as a result of increased violence by settlers, in a post on X:
De situatie op de Westelijke Jordaanoever verslechtert verder. Het geweld door kolonisten neemt toe en de economie komt daar steeds verder onder druk te staan.
Dat moet stoppen. Daarom roept Nederland samen met internationale partners Israël op om de uitbreiding van illegale… pic.twitter.com/6MNJ347w6C
“This must stop,” he writes, urging Israel to “reverse the plans for the controversial E1 project”.
Why is the E1 so controversial?
According to the BBC, the E1 zone refers to a stretch of land roughly 12km between East Jerusalem and the Israeli settlement of Ma’ale Adumim.
Should the Israeli construction plan move ahead, it would see 3,401 homes built for settlers. As of August 21, 1,234 of these tenders have already been issued for developers to bid on.
However, the real issue is location.
As stated by Peace Now, an Israeli organisation “advocating for peace through public pressure”, construction in the area would fundamentally alter “the geographic and strategic character of the area by severing the northern West Bank from the south and isolating East Jerusalem”.
In addition, the organisation stresses that the move would “ruin the possibility of reaching an end to the conflict and a peace arrangement based on two states”.
And the timeline, they assert, is no coincidence, either. By attempting to sign contracts with developers before Israeli elections kick off, the move would make it “much harder for the next government to cancel the construction”.
This isn’t the first Dutch objection to the E1
Back in May, the Netherlands and eight other countries warned companies not to bid for tenders in the E1 construction project.
In a joint statement, they argued that developing the E1 would divide the West Bank into two, marking a serious breach of international law.
Israel, however, has charged full steam ahead with their plans and opened bidding for construction projects in the zone. Companies have until October 19, 2026, to submit an offer — one week before Israeli elections on October 27.
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