Understanding Your Dutch Payslip As a Highly Skilled Migrant
If you’re a highly skilled migrant working in the Netherlands, understanding your monthly payslip is essential. Your payslip (loonstrook) provides detailed information about your gross salary, deductions, taxes, and net salary, helping you track your earnings and benefits. At BlueStone, we specialise in helping highly skilled migrants navigate Dutch employment processes, including payroll, 30% ruling, and compliance requirements. In this blog post, we break down everything you need to know about your Dutch payslip so you can confidently manage your finances.
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How Often Do You Receive a Payslip in the Netherlands?
Employees in the Netherlands receive their payslips monthly. Their employer must provide a detailed payslip when they receive their first salary and every time their salary changes.
Most companies offer digital payslips, allowing employees to access and download them via an online payroll system. However, some firms may still provide payslips via email or post.
Tip: Always keep a record of your payslips for tax purposes or in case you need them for a mortgage or loan application.
Breaking Down Your Dutch Payslip
A typical Dutch payslip is divided into three sections:
Top Section – Employee & Employer Information
The top section of your payslip contains essential details about you and your employer, including:
Your Name & Address
Employer’s Name & Address
Salary Period (e.g., January 2025)
This section confirms that the payslip belongs to you and corresponds to the correct pay period.
Middle Section – Salary Calculation & Deductions
This section shows how your gross salary is calculated and which deductions have been applied. Key elements include:
Gross Salary – Your salary before taxes and deductions.
Payroll Tax (Loonbelasting) – The tax deducted from your salary by the Dutch Tax Office.
Employee Insurance Contributions – Includes unemployment insurance, disability insurance, and pension contributions (if applicable).
Net Salary – The final amount you receive after deductions.
Important: If you qualify for the 30% Ruling, this tax benefit should also be listed in this section. The 30% Ruling allows highly skilled migrants to receive 30% of their salary tax-free, significantly increasing take-home pay.
Bottom Section – Holiday Allowance & Cumulative Figures
This section includes:
Holiday Pay (Vakantiegeld) – Typically 8% of your gross annual salary, accrued monthly and paid out in May or June.
Accrued Holiday Hours – The number of vacation days earned.
Cumulative Salary Information – A yearly overview of total earnings, taxes, and deductions.
Tip: Please check this section to ensure you receive the correct holiday allowance and accumulated leave hours.
Company Car & Your Payslip
The Dutch Tax Office (Belastingdienst) considers it a taxable benefit if you drive a company car your employer provides. This is bijtelling (salary top-up) because you can use the car for private purposes.
How does this impact your payslip?
The value of the company car is added to your taxable wage.
You pay income tax on this additional amount.
The percentage of bijtelling depends on the CO₂ emissions and car value.
Tip: If you drive less than 500 km per year for personal use, you may be exempt from telling, but you must keep records.
Common Mistakes & How to Fix Errors in Your Payslip
Mistakes on a payslip are rare, but they can happen. If you notice incorrect salary calculations, deductions, or missing benefits, take the following steps:
Check with HR or Payroll – Inform your employer’s payroll department about any discrepancies.
Request a Payslip Review – Ask for an explanation of the calculations.
Contact a Labor Lawyer – If your employer refuses to correct the error, you may need legal advice.
Tip: Always double-check your gross salary, tax deductions, and holiday pay to ensure accuracy.
Why Highly Skilled Migrants Should Work with BlueStone
Understanding your Dutch payslip is crucial for financial planning and tax compliance. At BlueStone, we specialise in supporting highly skilled migrants with:
Payroll processing & compliance
Tax benefits, including the 30% ruling
Understanding employment contracts & payslips
Work permit & IND applications
