The 10 Most Common Problems for Flex Workers in the Netherlands

Working in the Netherlands is a good decision for many people, but the first months are rarely smooth. We collected the ten most common problems that flex workers face, meaning people who work through an uitzendbureau (employment agency). For each one we also explain what you can do about it.

Work and money

1. Uncertain hours

In many flex contracts the number of hours you work per week is not fixed. One week you work overtime, the next you hardly get any shifts, and your pay goes up and down with it.

What you can do: - Before you sign, ask how many hours you can expect on average, and whether this is in the contract. - Plan your budget for the weaker weeks, not the best ones. - Good to know: the Wet meer zekerheid flexwerkers (the law on more security for flex workers) has been passed. Most of it comes into force on 1 January 2028. For agency workers, the period when you can easily be let go and your hours are uncertain will be shorter: 1 year instead of 1.5 years.

2. A payslip that is hard to understand

The loonstrook is your weekly or monthly pay statement. It shows your gross pay, the tax, and often deductions for housing, insurance and pension too. At first many people find it confusing.

What you can do: - Look through every loonstrook and compare it with the hours you worked. - From 1 July 2026 the minimum wage from age 21 is €14.99 gross per hour. With 40 hours a week that is about €600 gross. - Under the collective agreement (CAO) of ABU and NBBU, you are entitled overall to at least the same conditions as the hiring company's own employees in a similar job. You can read about this on wijzerbelonen.nl. - Vakantiegeld (holiday pay) is usually 8% of gross pay. It is often saved for you and paid out around the end of May.

Housing and transport

3. Housing tied to the job

Many agencies also provide housing, which is a big help at the start. The downside is that when the job ends, the housing often ends too.

What you can do: - The employer may deduct at most 25% of the minimum wage for housing, and only for certified housing (for example with an SNF certificate). With the July 2026 minimum wage this is about €584 per month. - The rental contract cannot be part of the employment contract: you must get a separate, written rental contract. - Always ask in advance how long you can stay if your job ends.

4. Transport

The housing and the workplace are often far apart, and buses do not go well to every place, especially for night shifts.

What you can do: - Ask who takes you to work, whether it costs money, and what happens if you are put on a different shift. - In the Netherlands a second-hand bike is almost a must. - If you go to work by car, agree who pays the costs, and where this shows on the loonstrook.

Paperwork and health

5. Official matters: BSN, DigiD

For work, tax and insurance you will need a BSN (citizen service number). DigiD is the online login for Dutch government services, and you need a BSN for it too.

What you can do: - If you stay less than 4 months, register in the RNI (the register of non-residents) at the desk of one of the 19 RNI municipalities. You get a BSN there. - If you stay longer, you must register in the BRP at the municipality where you live. - Keep every letter and document, even as a photo.

6. Healthcare

Zorgverzekering (health insurance) is compulsory if you live or work in the Netherlands and pay tax on your wages. The average basic insurance in 2026 is €1 884 per year, about €157 per month. The eigen risico (own risk) is €385 per year: this is what you pay yourself for some care before the insurer starts paying.

What you can do: - Ask who arranges your insurance and how much they deduct for it. - With a lower income you can apply to Dienst Toeslagen for zorgtoeslag (an allowance towards the insurance premium). - Know in advance who to tell at the agency if you are sick.

People and feelings

7. Language

You can work without speaking Dutch, but in daily life you may often feel lost, and instructions at work are harder to follow.

What you can do: learn the basic words, especially the ones about safety, and use a translation app. We also have a separate article about this.

8. Loneliness

Shared housing does not automatically mean company. Many people just sit in their room after their shift.

What you can do: look for a local community of people from your home country, do some sport, and ask the agency if there is a contact person you can turn to.

9. Homesickness

Almost everyone feels it in the first months. It is not weakness, it is a natural reaction.

What you can do: have a regular time when you call your family, plan your trip home in advance, and set yourself a goal: how much you want to save, and by when.

Scams

10. Fake offers and unfair conditions

Sadly, some people take advantage of those who do not know the Dutch rules.

Warning signs: - They ask you for money to get a job. - There is no written employment or rental contract. - Someone wants to keep your passport or ID card. - The deductions do not show on the loonstrook, or you do not understand them and nobody explains them.

What you can do: from 1 January 2027 only licensed agencies may supply workers in the Netherlands (the Wtta law), so always check who you are dealing with. If you are unsure, contact the Juridisch Loket (free legal advice) or a trade union, such as FNV or CNV. On Eyesonworks.eu you can filter by housing, net weekly pay and type of work, and you always reach the agency's original job ad, so you can see who is behind the offer.

In short

• Pay the most attention to uncertain hours and your payslip: ask questions, and check every loonstrook.
• At most 25% of the minimum wage can be deducted for housing, only for certified housing, and you must get a separate rental contract.
• Arrange your BSN and zorgverzekering in time.
• Against language problems, loneliness and homesickness, contact with people helps the most.
• If something seems suspicious, get help from the Juridisch Loket or a trade union.