Freelance rate calculator (Netherlands, 2026)
Calculate what you keep from your hourly rate as a Dutch freelancer in 2026, or which rate you need for the income you want. Using the real tax rules.
In short
At €85 per hour, 1,100 billable hours and €8,000 costs, a Dutch freelancer keeps roughly €4,795 net per month in 2026 (without pension or disability insurance). Assume fewer billable hours than you think: a lot of time goes to sales and admin.
Most starters calculate their rate by dividing their old salary by 160 hours. That is the fastest route to earning too little: you don’t bill all your hours, you pay your own pension and holidays, and tax works differently than in a job.
Net per month
–
- Revenue per year –
- Profit –
- Entrepreneur deduction + SME exemption –
- Taxable income –
- Income tax (after credits) –
- Health insurance contribution (Zvw) –
- Net per year –
- Set aside per invoice for tax –
VAT: add 21% to your invoices (that money isn't yours).
Note: you build up no pension and no disability insurance. Those are not included in this net figure.
Simplified calculation for a Dutch sole proprietorship below state pension age, without benefits, partner, pension deduction or box 2/3. Figures: Dutch Tax Administration, tax year 2026. Use it for planning, not as tax advice.
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