Working in metalwork, technology, industry, or logistics and wondering how much of your salary you actually keep? The salary stated in your contract is your gross salary, but that’s not what lands in your bank account. In this blog, we’ll explain the difference between gross and net salary in the Netherlands, and what deductions and benefits affect your payslip.
Gross salary → the amount stated in your contract, before taxes and deductions.
Net salary → the amount you actually receive, after taxes, social security contributions, and other deductions.
Several factors influence your net income:
Wage tax (loonbelasting) → withheld by your employer as an advance on your income tax.
Social security contributions (premies volksverzekeringen) → for pensions, healthcare, unemployment, etc.
Tax credits (heffingskortingen) → e.g. general tax credit and labor tax credit, reducing how much tax you pay.
Pension contributions → withheld monthly for your pension scheme.
Allowances → such as shift allowances or overtime, always paid gross.
Travel allowance → usually paid net and tax-free.
Based on a gross weekly salary of €576:
Gross salary: €576
Minus pension & sickness insurance: €9.76
Minus wage tax (after credits): €43.19
Net salary: €523.05
So from €576 gross, you take home €523.05 net per week.
Working shifts often comes with extra pay. Here are some examples:
2-shift system (+10%)
Gross salary: €576
Shift allowance: +€57.60
Net pay after deductions: €554.34
3-shift system (+15%)
Gross salary: €576
Shift allowance: +€86.40
Net pay after deductions: €571.02
5-shift system (+25%)
Gross salary: €576
Shift allowance: +€144
Net pay increases even more.
Want to better understand your payslip or need help calculating your net salary in the Netherlands? At Dujob, we’re happy to guide you. Get in contact with us here.