Are salaries in Netherlands really low, Netherlands forum (2024)

Dear All,

I am living in Netherlands from past 5 years. But still I don't understand the salaries in Netherlands. So far I have been working as a contractor and now I have plans to move to a permanent role or in a job that has more visibility. To my surprise the salaries that are offered are not all inline with the experience we have and also doesn't suite the expenses we have.
I have refered couple of websites to check the salary ranges. Even the results there are shocking. For a software developer who has 12years of exp is only earning avg salary of 55K EUR per year. Out of this almost 38% is taken away as taxes. I am wondering how can people are managing with such low salaries. Especially expats have big troubles with these low salaries. Because they end up paying huge rentals and high fee for international school fee for their kids.

On top of that, they also need to save some money to fulfil their commitments in their homeland.

Let's take a simple use case with a salary of 51K without holiday allowance. Holiday allowance is generally one month salary in Netherlands.

Note: %1K salary is considered as very very good salary according to people in Netherlands. Don't know whether they really mean it or they just say it like that.

Considering the above sal and taking in to 30% ruling the expected take home salary(netto) is 3500EUR to 3600EUR .

Netto : 3600
Rent : -1200 (unfurnished inc of G/W/E and local taxes) (assuming a normal city and a 2bed room house)
Medical insurance : -200
Internet bill : -40EUR
Phone bills : -50EUR
international school fee for one kid : -500EUR
Car : -250EUR (very normal small car and old one, inc of taxes, insurance, and petrol )
Food : -300EUR
Misc : -200EUR (clothing, kids unforeseen expenses, fines u get, medical expenses incurred etc)

We are only left with : 860EUR (the above is only very very basic estimate not considering yearly trip to their motherland which may cost 2000 to 3000EUR)

Looking at the above figures it's clear that a family with 2 kids can't afford a living here.

Can you all please share your experiences and advise what's wrong with NL or am I the only person who is having this problem.

Please don't compare these figures with local Dutch people, because they have mortgage which is less than rent we pay and more over they don't have the burden of international school fee. Please share your exp from expat point of view.

If both partners work then the other partner mostly is not entitled for 30% ruling and the money they bring in is enough for the daycare costs that we have to pay. As far as I know the daycare costs for one kid (full time ) is 1750EUR assuming you get 600EUR back from govt, you end up paying 1100EUR for one kid. The sal spouses get is around 2000EUR to 2300EUR.

On the whole I would like to hear all your opinions on this. If this is same for all then how come so many expats are living here. Can' this be changed. Especially we are expats and we never make use of any social security benefits that NL govt offers to their citizens. Yet we pay huge money towards it. I feel this as not good. If you are living for so many years and has paid huge amount of money for nothing, this is really not good. Can't we do anything to correct these? Ideally expats if they leave the country they should be compensated at least with 50% of their social security contributions, because they are not all utilizing it.

Looking forward for your experiences.

Are salaries in Netherlands really low, Netherlands forum (2024)

FAQs

Are salaries in Netherlands low? ›

Compared to other developed countries, salaries in the Netherlands are at average levels and probably a bit lower than US and the UK. Income taxes are on the high side unless you get the 30% ruling for expats, which means you only have to pay tax on 70% of your gross salary.

Why is salary so low in Netherlands? ›

Because they end up paying huge rentals and high fee for international school fee for their kids. On top of that, they also need to save some money to fulfil their commitments in their homeland. Let's take a simple use case with a salary of 51K without holiday allowance.

Is 3000 euro a good salary in Netherlands? ›

Originally Answered: Is 3000€/month a good salary to live in a major Netherlands city (except for Amesterdam)? I reckon a €3000/month gross salary is pretty good, as it's above the median (more than half the population makes less).

Is 4000 euro net a good salary in Netherlands? ›

Yes! Thats a pretty decent salary to live on in the Netherlands.

Are there any downsides to living in the Netherlands? ›

The Netherlands has a high cost of living, which includes everything from accommodation, groceries, and services. On average, the cost of living in the Netherlands is 10.7% higher than in the UK. Owning a car is particularly expensive, with high road tax and expensive repair costs.

What is a livable salary in Netherlands? ›

In the Netherlands, the gross living wage is €79.62 a day. Do you want to find out the living wage in a country? WageIndicator has calculated this for many countries.

Is it cheaper to live in the Netherlands than the US? ›

The average cost of living in the Netherlands ($1780) is 20% less expensive than in the United States ($2213). the Netherlands ranked 19th vs 5th for the United States in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

Is 75K a good salary in Netherlands? ›

If you're talking about 75K yearly income with around 30% foreigner tax it should be enough, but you won't be living like royalty or anything… Just to get an idea: the average yearly salary in the Netherlands is around 36K (with around 20% tax)… So you're making pretty good money, according to Dutch standards.

Is poverty a problem in the Netherlands? ›

In 2020, almost 17.5 percent of residents with a non-western migration background were at risk of poverty, compared to 6.3 percent of the population with a western migration background, and 3.2 percent of those with a Dutch background.

What salary is considered upper class in Netherlands? ›

Average yearly income Netherlands 2022, by income group

The highest ten percent of earners in the Netherlands earned on average 142.6 thousand euros per year, around 125.1 thousand euros higher than the lowest 50 percent.

What is 30 ruling in Netherlands? ›

The 30% tax ruling is a tax advantage for highly skilled migrants in the Netherlands. An employer can pay up to 30% of the salary of an expat employee with the 30% status free of tax. An enormous tax saving for both employee and employer.

Is 70k a good salary in Netherlands? ›

But what is considered to be a good salary in the Netherlands? While the answer to this question is quite subjective, a gross salary of €70,000 ($81,000) per year would put you in the top 5% of income earners in the Netherlands. Which equals to a net monthly salary of €3,832 ($4,440) per month.

What is the top 1% salary in Europe? ›

To reach the top 1 percent of earners, you would need a monthly take-home salary of 7.190 euros. This is equivalent to an annual net income of almost 86.000 euros, after taxes, or an annual gross salary of around 150.000 euros.

What is a good salary in Netherlands 2023? ›

Average income in the Netherlands

According to the Centraal Planbureau (CPB), in 2023, the median gross income for a person working in the Netherlands is 38.500 euros gross per year.

Is 5000 euro a good salary in Netherlands? ›

Is 5000 euros a good salary in Amsterdam? Yes this is considered a very good salary. You will have a gross salary of around 8k EUR.

What problem does the Netherlands face? ›

Persistent labor market discrimination on ethnic grounds, of older people, of pregnant women, and of disabled people continued to be documented in 2021. Antisemitism in the Netherlands has risen in recent years, with one NGO reporting a 35 percent increase in antisemitic incidents between 2020 and 2021.

Why is the quality of life so high in Netherlands? ›

According to the most recent findings from Numbeo, the Netherlands ranks #1 for quality of life based on several factors including cost of living, crime rates, healthcare, commute times, and environmental pollution. Denmark and Switzerland came in second and third respectively, rounding out the top 3.

Can you live in the Netherlands only speaking English? ›

Visitors may find that it is possible to live in the Netherlands for a long time without learning Dutch, mostly because 2.5 million citizens in the country are not fluent in Dutch. A substantial number of the inhabitants of Amsterdam have English as their native language, mostly British and North American immigrants.

Which country pays highest salary in Europe? ›

Norway is one of the most developed countries in the world. This state attracts foreigners with a decent standard of living, high wages, a loyal tax system, and employment opportunities in this country. The average salary in Norway allows you to live quite at a decent level.

What is the average salary after Masters in the Netherlands? ›

The average salary of a university graduate in the Netherlands is 2,600 EUR (around 2,00,000 INR) per month.

Is 100k a good salary in Netherlands? ›

As far as the yearly gross salary is concerned, 100000 euroes as Jaarloon ( gross yearly salary ) is considerably big amount in Amsterdam. There is a twist though, if salary is more , taxes deducted are more ,eg.

Is the Netherlands good for American expats? ›

The Netherlands offers many benefits for American expats. It's especially attractive thanks to the 30% tax ruling commonly known as the “30% facility.” This special tax break is applicable to certain qualified persons relocating to the Netherlands for work.

How long can an American live in the Netherlands? ›

If you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than 90 days, you may need a residence permit. In many cases you will also have to apply for a long-stay visa before you travel to the Netherlands. This visa is also called an authorisation for temporary stay (MVV).

Is the Netherlands a good place for Americans to retire? ›

The Netherlands is not just a great place to take a holiday, it's also a good long-term home that famously welcomes expats. It is consistently voted one of the happiest places in the world. Small wonder then that many people from around the world consider relocating here to live, work, and study.

Is 80000 euros a good salary in Amsterdam? ›

An annual salary of 80,000 Euro for an expat living in the Netherlands, specifically in North Brabant, can provide a comfortable standard of living for a family of three.

Are Dutch salaries high? ›

The Netherlands boasts an average monthly salary of — drum roll please — €3,333 in 2023 or an average annual salary of €40,000! However, life is often, well, not average — and the same goes for your salary. Depending on your job, your salary is going to be higher or lower than this number.

How much money does the average Dutch have? ›

Dutch love of saving has made the Netherlands quite wealthy

According to Allianz's research, Dutch households have, on average, 180.193 euros in wealth (gross), which is significantly more than the global average of 35.970 euros. The average net wealth of Dutch households is just under 129.000 euros.

What is the poorest city in the Netherlands? ›

The Crooswijk is sometimes called: "The poorest part of the Netherlands", or: "The poorest part of Rotterdam". This is because the average income of the people living there is lower than other places. Crooswijkers sought and seek their recreation at the nearby Kralingse bos.

What is considered poor in the Netherlands? ›

The poverty line for the Netherlands is drawn at approximately €1,040 a month for a single individual and up to €1,960 for a couple with two children. These figures calculate to $1,174 up to $2,213 and they are considered the bare minimum necessary to eat, live and partake in social activities in the Netherlands.

Is obesity a problem in the Netherlands? ›

In the Netherlands overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions. The prevalence of overweight including obesity among men has increased from 37% in 1981 to 51% in 2009 and among women from 30 to 42% [1, 2].

What is considered wealthy in Netherlands? ›

Four out of every 10 people considered rich in the Netherlands have inherited their wealth, according to a survey commissioned by ABN Amro MeesPierson, the Telegraaf reported on Friday. The rich are defined as those with with a minimum of €500,000 of disposable assets.

What is the average middle class income in Netherlands? ›

The average median household income (PPP) was $40,094 in 2021. The Netherlands' median household income (PPP) hit $50,502 in 2021, an increase of 1.5% over the previous year.

How much Dutch people save per month? ›

This statistic displays the results of a survey of the average monthly savings in the Netherlands in 2019. The survey results suggest that as of 2019, a substantial share of people in the Netherlands saved over 76 euros per month.

Can a foreigner buy a house in the Netherlands? ›

There are no restrictions placed on foreigners and non-Dutch residents buying property.

What is the minimum salary for expats in the Netherlands? ›

A highly skilled migrant (also called a knowledge migrant or kennismigrant) is defined by age and salary. In 2023, the minimum monthly gross salary for a highly skilled migrant age 30 or older is EUR 5,008. For migrants under age 30, the minimum monthly gross salary is EUR 3,672.

What are the taxes for expats in the Netherlands? ›

Both capital gains and regular income (dividends) are taxed. Tax is levied at a fixed rate of 26.25%. This percentage will rise to 26.9% in 2021. Non-residents are taxable on capital gains and regular income from a substantial interest in a company resident in the Netherlands.

What is the average gross salary in Netherlands? ›

The average annual salary in the Netherlands in 2022 was just under 39,900 thousand euros, including bonuses.

Is 85k a good salary in Amsterdam? ›

Yes this is considered a very good salary. You will have a gross salary of around 8k EUR. With this salary you can do nearly everything you want.

Is 65k euro a good salary in Netherlands? ›

So yes. You'll be fine. The average yearly salary in the Netherlands is around 36,000 euros (with around 20% taxes)…

Why are US salaries higher than Europe? ›

In general, wages in the United States tend to be higher than those in Europe, particularly for skilled and high-paying jobs. Part of the reason for this is that the cost of living in the U.S. is usually higher than in Europe. This means that workers need to make more money to keep their standard of living the same.

What salary puts you in the top 1% globally? ›

How to Make the Top 1% List. According to the Economic Policy Institute, the average annual wage of the top 1% was $823,763 as of 2020.1 A more recent study by SmartAsset points out that the national average of the top 1% earners is $597,815.2 Have in mind that the figures vary greatly from state to state.

Which country gives best salary? ›

The top three countries on this list are Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Singapore, where citizens earn more than Rs. 4 lakh per month on average. Specifically, the average monthly salary in Switzerland is Rs. 4,98,567, in Luxembourg it is Rs.

How many hours is full-time in the Netherlands? ›

Full-time. Most full-time jobs in the Netherlands are 36 to 40 hours a week, or 4 to 5 days a week 7 to 8 hours a day. Depending on your company, a full work week can be either 38 or 40 hours. You are allowed to have a 30-minute unpaid break during a normal 7-to-8-hour shift.

Is 50k a good salary in Netherlands? ›

Yes this is considered a very good salary.

What is the average rent in Amsterdam? ›

The average price for a one-bedroom apartment in Amsterdam increased slightly in the fourth quarter of 2021, by 0.26 percent. Rents for studios, on the other hand, increased significantly. The average rent for a studio apartment in Amsterdam is now 1,181 euros per month, 22 percent more than the fourth quarter of 2020.

What is the 13th month salary in the Netherlands? ›

Information correct as of May 2023

A 13th-month salary in The Netherlands is an extra paycheck that is paid in addition to an employee's annual salary that is usually equivalent to one month's pay.

Is 55k a good salary in Netherlands? ›

If each of you have a salary of 55k, it will be a good salary in Amsterdam. 55k+30% ruling is okay-ish, but you may need to live frugally. The average salary of Netherlands is about 44k, so ideally your combined salary is 80k-ish. Assuming you bring your wife with you, well, she can work with a spouse visa.

Is 60 000 a good salary in Netherlands? ›

No. You're left with about 36000 after taxes about 2700 per month. Renting something halfway decent is going to be about 1200. Health insurance for 2, another 200.

Are salaries high in Netherlands? ›

Although salaries are relatively high in the Netherlands, income tax levels are correspondingly high and they depend on your household and work income. Estimating roughly – an employee who earns €2500 gross should take home around €2000 net.

What is a middle class salary in the Netherlands? ›

According to the Centraal Planbureau (CPB), in 2023, the median gross income for a person working in the Netherlands is 38.500 euros gross per year. A salary can vary greatly from the median income as it is influenced by age, sector, professional experience and hours worked.

Is 100k a good salary in Amsterdam? ›

Amsterdam isn't cheap by any standards, with 100.000 euros gross per year you would be making 4.326,— net per month. This in general wouldn't be enough for an expat couple, if you have to rent on a competitive housing market.

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