The Netherlands has updated both the gross and net minimum wage structure starting from 2026. For Turkish professionals wishing to work in the Netherlands, employers, and companies sending personnel abroad, these figures are no longer just a matter of “salary”; they are critical decision parameters in terms of tax burden, payroll costs, and mobility strategy.
Overview of the Minimum Wage in the Netherlands in 2026
As of January 1, 2026, the legal gross hourly minimum wage in the Netherlands for employees aged 21 and over has risen to €14.71. This represents an approximate 2.16% increase compared to 2025.
This new amount roughly corresponds to the following gross income based on working hours:
- Hourly: €14.71 (21 years and older)
- Weekly (40 hours): 40 × €14.71 ≈ €588 gross
- Monthly (40 hours): ≈ €2,294.40 gross (official calculations may vary due to rounding)
These figures are just the starting point. The net salary that the employee takes home significantly decreases after tax and social security deductions. Anyone planning a business in the Netherlands must have a good understanding of the gross-net difference.
2026 Minimum Wage Amounts in the Netherlands: Hourly Wages by Age
The Netherlands applies a tiered minimum wage system for employees under 21 years of age. As of January 1, 2026, the gross hourly minimum wages are as follows:
- 21 years and older: €14.71
- 20 years: €11.77
- 19 years: €8.83
- 18 years: €7.36
- 17 years: €5.81
- 16 years: €5.07
- 15 years: €4.41
This age-based system encourages young employees to enter the labor market while ensuring that wage levels gradually increase with experience and responsibility.
Understanding the Gross – Net Salary Difference Correctly
The most common mistake in salary calculations in the Netherlands is to think of the gross amount as the “take-home pay”. However, the system is entirely structured around gross.
What is gross salary?
Gross salary is the total amount committed by the employer in the contract, before any taxes and deductions are made. The €14.71 hourly wage mentioned in minimum wage regulations is gross. These gross figures are always present in the employer’s payroll and official legislation.
What is net salary?
Net salary is the actual amount that the employee takes home after all legal deductions. In the Netherlands, these deductions typically include:
- Income tax
- Social insurance premiums (pension, unemployment, etc.)
- Health insurance premiums (partly employer, partly employee)
- Any individual pension or additional insurance deductions, if applicable
Therefore, while a gross minimum monthly income above €2,300 may be the case for an employee, the net amount usually falls significantly below this.
Net Minimum Wage Calculation in the Netherlands in 2026
In 2026, some improvements to the tax system in the Netherlands positively affected the net income of minimum wage workers. According to the government’s tax plan adjustments, there was an approximate €19.16 increase in monthly net income for full-time minimum wage workers.
The summary table for a 21 years and older employee working 40 hours is as follows:
- Monthly gross salary (approx.): €2,294.40
- Net increase: ≈ €19.16 / month
- Total net monthly minimum wage: ≈ €2,311.16 (including tax incentives and credit calculations)
The figure of €2,311.16 is an approximate value based on a specific scenario (tax improvement and net increase provided to minimum wage workers) and may vary according to individual circumstances.
Net calculation based on an example of a 38-hour worker
In the Netherlands, in some sectors, a 38-hour full-time workweek is considered the norm. The minimum wage calculation for someone working 38 hours in 2026 looks approximately like this:
- Weekly gross salary: 38 × €14.71 = €558.98
- Monthly gross (approx.): €2,435.92
- Estimated net monthly: ≈ €1,800 – €1,900
The reason for the wide range of this net salary is that it is affected by variables such as marital status, number of children, additional incomes, pension deductions, and local tax practices.
Net salary planning is particularly critical for companies sending personnel abroad. Incorrect gross-net assumptions can disrupt both employee satisfaction and employer cost projections.
Twice-Yearly Updates of the Minimum Wage in the Netherlands
The minimum wage system in the Netherlands is dynamic and sensitive to inflation and wage developments. Minimum wage levels are reviewed and increased if necessary on January 1 and July 1 of each year.
Thanks to this two-stage mechanism:
- The minimum wage is more likely to maintain its real value against inflation.
- The government monitors labor market conditions and economic growth more closely.
- Employees and employers must revise “cost and income” twice a year.
For companies that manage international payroll, it is essential to schedule these semi-annual updates and recalculate gross and net costs after each revision.
Equal Pay Obligation for Temporary, Agency, and Contract Workers
2026 is not only a year of numerical increase but also a year of significant structural change. As of January 1, 2026, the principle of “equal pay” for temporary and agency workers has become much clearer and more binding in the Netherlands.
According to the new regulation:
- Temporary/agency personnel working in the same or similar positions must have equivalent total wages and benefits as permanent employees.
- This equality includes not only the base salary but also the total value of bonuses, incentives, and other benefits.
- The previously existing “two-tier” wage system is effectively abolished; this creates stronger protection for agency workers.
This is a critical issue for Turkish companies sending personnel to the Netherlands under the posted worker model. It is necessary to comply with the equal pay rules in the Netherlands and to correctly structure the tax and social security coordination between Turkey and the Netherlands. Otherwise, significant administrative and financial risks may arise for both Dutch authorities and Turkey.
Impact of the Minimum Wage Increase in the Netherlands on Employers and Employees
Employee Perspective
The increase in net minimum wage is particularly important for the following groups:
- Workers in labor-intensive sectors such as retail, logistics, warehousing, food, and cleaning
- Newcomers to the Netherlands, expat or immigrant-origin personnel
- Young professionals at the beginning of their careers with low seniority
The increased net income partially alleviates the pressure of high rent and living costs. However, especially in large cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht, rental levels still consume a significant part of the net minimum wage.
Employer Perspective
For employers, the increase in minimum wage:
- Increases payroll costs. Not only the gross wage but also employer premiums rise.
- Affects pricing and profitability plans.
- May make the equal pay obligation for temporary workers and agency employees more costly.
Therefore, companies operating in the Netherlands or planning to expand into the Netherlands should structure their human resources and wage strategies for 2026 and beyond, taking into account minimum wage trends and tax plans.
The Minimum Wage and Tax Dimension in the Netherlands
One of the most critical variables determining the net minimum wage is the Dutch tax system and the tax credits granted to employees. Minimum wage earners typically benefit from the following tax advantages:
- General tax credit (algemene heffingskorting)
- Work tax credit (arbeidskorting)
With adjustments made in the 2026 tax plan, the government has provided a small but significant increase in the net income of minimum wage earners. This is reflected in the fact that a minimum wage earning employee earns approximately €19.16 more net.
You can follow the current minimum wage amounts and official calculation parameters on the Dutch government’s official minimum wage page.
After 2026: €18 Gross Hourly Wage Target and Ongoing Discussions
Various political parties and unions in the Netherlands are demanding that the minimum wage be raised to €18 gross per hour. This is not yet a regulation in effect; however, it is a strong topic of discussion among the public and policymakers.
Simultaneously, there are ongoing regulatory efforts in the following areas:
- Limiting zero-hour contracts
- Tightening non-compete clauses
- Greater clarity in salary ranges in job postings and wage transparency
All these topics will directly affect both job security and wage levels in the Netherlands in the coming years.
Establishing a Company, Sending Personnel, and Managing Payroll in the Netherlands: Corpenza Perspective
If you want to:
- Enter by establishing a company directly,
- Send personnel through the posted worker model via a company in Turkey,
- Or provide employment in the Netherlands through EOR/payroll solutions
You need to understand the 2026 minimum wage structure and tax system well. Because:
- The increase in minimum wage directly raises your total labor costs.
- The equal pay rule may create unexpected additional costs in agency/temporary models.
- Incorrect gross-net calculations can lead to serious mismatches between employee expectations and employer budgets.
Corpenza focuses on making net labor costs and tax burdens predictable in structures involving multiple countries and regimes across Europe and globally.
Specifically in the Netherlands, aligning the 2026 minimum wage and equal pay regulations with your company’s growth plan, cash flow, and tax optimization will reduce risks and enhance your competitiveness in the medium to long term. At this point, obtaining professional support from a team experienced in international mobility and payroll with local regulatory knowledge becomes critical.
Conclusion: What Does the 2026 Net Minimum Wage in the Netherlands Mean?
In summary, as of 2026 in the Netherlands:
- The gross hourly minimum wage for employees aged 21 and over has risen to €14.71.
- The gross income for a full-time employee working 40 hours is approximately €2,294.40.
- With improvements in the tax plan, minimum wage earners have seen an approximate increase of €19.16 in their net monthly income.
- The net monthly income for a minimum wage worker working 38 hours is around €1,800–€1,900.
- The equal pay rule for temporary and agency workers redefines the wage structure and employer costs starting from 2026.
Whether you are a professional planning to work in the Netherlands or a company owner or HR manager looking to expand into the Dutch market, you need to read these figures not just as a salary table but as a strategic decision input. With the right tax, payroll, and mobility planning, it is possible to maintain both employee satisfaction and financial sustainability simultaneously.
Disclaimer
All information in this text is based on current data and general regulations available for the year 2026. However, tax and labor law regulations in the Netherlands can be updated frequently. This article does not constitute legal, financial, or tax advice. Always check official sources (for example, Dutch government minimum wage page) before making any decisions and seek individual advice from a qualified professional if necessary.
