Your Dutch payslip, explained
Gross, net, holiday allowance and pension — make sense of your loonstrook.
Your first Dutch payslip (loonstrook) can look confusing. Here's the gist.
- Bruto vs netto: gross pay before tax vs the net amount that lands in your account.
- Vakantiegeld: holiday allowance of about 8% of your salary, usually built up monthly and paid out in May.
- Pensioen: many employers enrol you in a pension scheme; contributions show on the slip.
- Loonheffing: wage tax withheld by your employer.
Check your contract type too — temporary (tijdelijk) vs permanent (vast) affects your security and rights. The Netherlands has a statutory minimum wage and strong worker protections.
Tip: Keep your payslips — you'll need them for renting, loans and your tax return.
Rules change. This post was accurate when written; check the official source it links before you act.