How to Spot a Reliable Dutch Employment Agency

There are many uitzendbureaus (employment agencies) in the Netherlands, and most of them work honestly. But not all of them. If you know in advance what to check, you can save yourself a lot of trouble. In this article we collected the certificates, the warning signs and a list of questions.

Why does choosing the agency matter?

When you work through an agency, often not only your job but also your housing, your travel and your insurance depend on them. If something goes wrong, several things can fall apart at once. So it is worth spending a few minutes checking at the start.

Certificates and memberships

Some signs you can find on the website or with a short question.

SNA certificate

SNA (Stichting Normering Arbeid) is a Dutch organisation that checks whether agencies follow the rules, for example whether they pay wages and taxes properly. Agencies with an SNA certificate are inspected regularly. Ask if they have this certificate.

ABU or NBBU membership

ABU and NBBU are the two big Dutch employment agency associations. Their members must apply the association's collective agreement (CAO). From 2026 this says that an agency worker must get conditions at least equivalent to those of the hiring company's own employee in similar work: pay, allowances, working hours, overtime, breaks, night work, holidays. The company and the agency are jointly responsible for the pay.

SNF certificate for the housing

SNF is a Dutch certification system for worker housing. It checks whether the housing meets certain quality and safety standards. This matters for your money too: the employer may only deduct the cost of housing from the minimum wage if the housing is certified (for example SNF), and even then at most 25% of the minimum wage. From July 2026 this is about 584 euros per month.

Wtta licence

The Wtta (Wet toelating terbeschikkingstelling arbeidskrachten) brings in a new licensing system. From 1 January 2026 companies must keep a record of who they hire workers from, and from 1 January 2027 only licensed agencies may supply workers in the Netherlands. Agencies had to submit their application by 1 July 2026. From 2027 this will be one of the most important questions: do they have a licence?

What should you get in writing?

A reliable agency is not afraid to put everything in writing. Before you travel or sign, ask for:

• An employment contract with the pay, the hours and the name of the CAO.
• A separate rental contract for the housing. By the rules, the rental contract cannot be part of the employment contract.
• A list of deductions: housing, health insurance, travel, other.
• Contact details: who you can call if there is a problem, and in which language.

Warning signs

Some things can be suspicious. One sign alone does not prove anything, but if you see several, be careful.

• They ask for money up front. A placement fee, a "registration fee", a deposit for housing before you leave.
• There is no written contract, or you would only get it after you arrive.
• They do not give a clear hourly wage, only a nice weekly or monthly amount.
• The pay offered is below the minimum wage. From 1 July 2026 the minimum from age 21 is 14.99 euros gross per hour.
• They want to take your passport or ID card. Never allow this.
• The housing conditions are vague: it is not clear how many people share a room or how much the rent is.
• There is no address or phone number, only a social media profile.
• They rush you: "you have to leave tomorrow, there is no time for a contract".

Questions for the first conversation

Feel free to ask these questions. A good agency answers them honestly.

1. Do you have an SNA certificate?
2. Are you a member of ABU or NBBU? Which CAO applies to me?
3. Do you have a Wtta licence, or have you applied for one?
4. How much is the gross hourly wage, and roughly how much is left net in an average week?
5. How many hours per week do you guarantee?
6. Is the housing SNF-certified? How much does it cost, and how many people share a room?
7. Will I get a separate, written rental contract?
8. What happens to the housing when the job ends?
9. Who pays for travel, and how do I get to work?
10. Who can I call if there is a problem?

Question 8 is especially important. Labour migrants often have no tenant protection, so when the job ends, the housing often ends too. The Dutch housing ministry (BZK) is working on changes, but this is the situation right now.

How can you check the answers?

Do not just take the agency's word for it. Some things you can check yourself:

• On the websites of SNA, ABU and NBBU you can usually search for certified agencies and members.
• On the SNF website you can check certified housing.
• Ask someone you know who has already worked for this agency.

On Eyesonworks.eu you can filter job ads by housing, net weekly pay and trade, and you always reach the agency's original job ad. There you can see for yourself who is behind the job ad.

If you are already in trouble

If you feel you are not getting what you are owed, do not deal with it alone. First ask the agency in writing. If you get no answer, the Juridisch Loket gives free legal information, and the trade unions (FNV, CNV) help their members. For tax questions, the Belastingdienst (the Dutch tax office) is the right place.

In short

• Check if the agency has an SNA certificate, and if it is a member of ABU or NBBU.
• The cost of housing can only be deducted from your pay for certified housing (for example SNF), at most up to 25% of the minimum wage.
• From 1 January 2027 only agencies with a Wtta licence may supply workers.
• Warning signs: money asked up front, no written contract, and wanting to take your documents.
• Ask for everything in writing, and do not be afraid to ask: a good agency is happy to answer.