Dutch Payslip Explained: Understanding Your Salary and Deductions
Unlock the secrets of your Dutch payslip! Understand gross vs. net pay, deductions, and holiday bonuses to ensure you’re fairly paid and protected.
💶 Why your payslip matters
If you’re working in the Netherlands, you receive a payslip (loonstrook) every time you’re paid — weekly or monthly. Many EU workers ignore it, but it contains important details like:
- Your gross vs. net pay
- Hours worked and wage per hour
- Taxes and deductions
- Holiday pay and other bonuses
Understanding your payslip helps you spot mistakes, check your rights, and avoid being underpaid.
🧾 What’s on a typical Dutch payslip?
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll usually see:
| Field | What it means |
|---|---|
| Naam werknemer | Your full name |
| BSN | Your citizen service number |
| Bedrijfsnaam | The company or agency employing you |
| Periode | The week or month the payslip covers |
| Uurloon | Your hourly wage (gross) |
| Aantal gewerkte uren | Number of hours worked |
| Bruto loon | Total before taxes and deductions |
| Netto loon | What you receive in your bank account |
| Vakantiegeld | Holiday pay (8% if not paid separately) |
| Loonheffing | Wage tax withheld |
| Zorgverzekering (optioneel) | Insurance deduction (if arranged via employer) |
| Reiskostenvergoeding | Travel reimbursement, if applicable |
| Toeslagen / bonussen | Extra pay (evening shift, weekend, etc.) |
📌 Each employer has their own format, but the required elements are always present.
💰 Gross vs. Net – What’s the difference?
- Gross (bruto): The full wage you’ve earned
- Net (netto): What you actually receive after taxes and deductions
Typical deductions:
- Wage tax (loonbelasting)
- Social contributions (AOW, WW, WIA)
- Possibly: zorgverzekering or housing if your employer arranges these
✅ You should always get a net pay that matches or exceeds the Dutch minimum wage after legal deductions.
🎁 Holiday Pay (Vakantiegeld)
You’re entitled to 8% of your gross wage as holiday pay. This may be:
- Paid monthly as part of your wage
- Saved and paid out in May or when your contract ends
Check if it’s listed as:
- “Vakantiegeld”
- “Opbouw vakantiegeld” (accumulated)
- “Incl. vakantiegeld” (already included)
🔢 What should you check each time?
- Is your hourly wage correct? (match contract and legal minimum)
- Is the number of hours correct?
- Is holiday pay visible or explained?
- Are any deductions unexpected or unclear?
🧠 If anything is unclear, ask your employer or check with a workers’ help desk. Never be afraid to speak up.
📉 Examples of suspicious deductions
- Housing: Only legal if you’ve signed an agreement and it’s clearly listed
- Health insurance: Allowed only if you’ve agreed and employer pays it on your behalf
- “Other” or “diverse” deductions: These should be explained in writing
If your payslip says:
- “Loon onder minimum”
- “Looncorrectie zonder uitleg”
- “Vooruitbetaling teruggehaald”
📢 It may indicate a problem or manipulation. Ask for clarification or support.
✅ Summary
| Section | Key points |
|---|---|
| 📄 Payslip info | Gross/net wage, hours, tax, extras |
| 💶 Gross vs. Net | Know the difference, track deductions |
| 🌴 Holiday pay | 8% must be paid monthly or yearly |
| 🚩 Red flags | Strange deductions, missing hours, unclear items |
| 🛠️ Take action | Ask, check, request explanation or legal help |
