Estimates only. Verify with Belastingdienst.
| Last updated: May 2026 | 2026 rates: Brackets 35.75% · 37.56% · 49.50% · Holiday allowance 8% mandatory
Enter Your Job Offer
Your Offer Decoded
What this means: Your recruiter said one number, but here's what you're actually getting broken down by component.
2026 Tax Breakdown
Note: This uses 2026 Belastingdienst rates. Actual tax may vary based on personal deductions, pension contributions, and other factors.
Monthly Cash Flow
Holiday allowance, a 13th month, and bonuses make some months materially different from your regular net pay.
Budgeting tip: Set aside €1,000 from your May payment for summer vacation, annual subscriptions, or emergency fund.
30% Ruling Impact
The 30% ruling is a tax benefit for skilled expats. It can save you €8,000–€15,000 per year.
Show comparison with 30% ruling
Want to know if you qualify? The 30% ruling has specific requirements (salary threshold, hired from abroad, 150km rule). → 30% Ruling Deep Dive
Questions to Ask Your Employer
Based on your offer structure, clarify these before signing:
How Dutch Job Offers Really Work
These are the pieces that usually change the real value of an offer. If a recruiter gives you one number, always check whether these items are included or added on top.
1
Holiday allowance is mandatory
Every employee gets at least 8% of annual gross salary as vakantiegeld. It is usually paid in May or June — but some employers spread it monthly.
2
13th month is extra, not law
A 13th month is a separate extra salary payment, usually in December, and is common at larger Dutch companies but not legally required.
3
Bonuses can be guaranteed or risky
Guaranteed bonuses are contractual. Performance bonuses may be €0 — ask how often people actually get paid in full before counting on it.
4
Health insurance is usually on you
Most Dutch employers do not pay your health insurance. They may offer a discount or a small allowance, but you usually pay it yourself (≈€159/month).
Always ask in writing: "Is the quoted amount including holiday allowance, 13th month, bonus, and any health insurance support?"
What to check in detail
Use this when you want the fuller explanation before you sign. The same quote can mean very different compensation depending on what is bundled in.
Topic
What to check
Ask this before signing
Holiday allowance
Usually 8% of annual gross salary, often paid once per year in May or June.
Is the quoted amount including holiday allowance, or is it added on top?
13th month
An extra month of salary, usually paid in December. Common in corporates, not required by law.
Does the offer include a 13th month, and is it shown separately?
Bonus type
A bonus can be fixed or performance-based. A headline number is not the same as guaranteed pay.
Is the bonus guaranteed, or does it depend on performance and company results?
30% ruling
Eligible expats may receive part of salary tax-free, which can significantly change net value.
Do I qualify for the 30% ruling, and should we compare offers with that benefit included?
Annual vs monthly
Some employers quote yearly total, others quote monthly gross. The same-looking number can hide extras.
Is this an annual total or a monthly gross, and what is included in it?
Health insurance
Employers usually do not fully pay it, but may offer a discount or allowance.
Does the company provide a health insurance discount or allowance?
Practical rule: if an item changes the true annual value, get it confirmed in writing before you compare offers.
If you already have a number, use the calculator first. If you are still trying to understand how the offer is structured, read the guide first and then use the calculator.
No. Holiday allowance is mandatory in the Netherlands, but recruiters may quote a number including it or excluding it. Always ask which one they mean before comparing offers.
Yes, it is part of compensation, but it is paid separately from the normal monthly salary. If the offer includes one, it should be shown separately in the breakdown.
Only if the company has a strong history of paying it. A performance bonus is not the same as guaranteed salary, so treat it as upside rather than base pay.
Usually not in full. Some employers offer a small allowance or a collective discount, but most people still pay their own health insurance monthly premium (averaging €159/month in 2026).
Vakantiegeld is a legally required holiday allowance of 8% of your annual gross salary, paid on top of your regular salary — usually in May or June. On a €50,000 salary that is an extra €4,000 per year.
The 13th month (13e maand) is an extra month's salary paid in December. It is common but not legally required — it depends on your employer's policy or CAO (collective labour agreement).
ADV (Arbeidsduurverkorting) days are extra days off given when your contractual hours exceed the standard work week. If your contract says 40 hours but the sector norm is 36, you receive extra ADV days as compensation.
Reiskostenvergoeding is a travel allowance paid by Dutch employers to cover commuting costs. Up to a set amount per kilometre it is paid tax-free. If you travel by public transport, employers may cover the full OV-kaart cost.