The Netherlands has become a go-to spot for building remote teams, and it’s easy to see why. The country offers a well-educated workforce, and over 90% of its population is fluent in English, making it a savvy choice for growing global companies (including many of our own clients).
But before you make the leap to hiring Dutch workers, it’s important to understand the local rules. Dutch labor laws can be tricky for newcomers to navigate, especially when it comes to statutory employee benefits, taxes, and termination rules.
One of the easiest ways to stay compliant when employing remote employees in the Netherlands? Partner with an Employer of Record (EOR). That way, you can hire without setting up a legal entity or studying up on complex Dutch employment regulations.
Not sure which EOR is right for you? We’ll walk you through six options for hiring in the Netherlands.
Key takeaways:
- The Netherlands offers a skilled workforce, most of whom speak English, making it a top choice for global companies seeking remote talent.
- Mastering compliance with Dutch labor laws can be complex, which is why many companies work with an EOR to grow their team in the Netherlands.
- RemoFirst has several advantages that set it apart from other EORs on the market, including its affordability, fast onboarding, and transparent pricing.
Check out our guide to hiring remote workers in the Netherlands.
Why the Netherlands Is a Remote Hiring Powerhouse
The Netherlands consistently ranks among the most educated countries in the world, with many professionals holding degrees in business, management, science, math, and computer science — making it a prime location for sourcing top global talent. In addition to English being widely spoken, many workers also speak other languages, such as German and French.
With substantial investment in R&D and a central location in Europe, the Netherlands is home to numerous multinational headquarters. Employees are used to cross-border collaboration and remote work, making them well-suited for globally distributed teams.
Ready to build your global team in the Netherlands? Here are some of the top EORs to consider for your hiring needs.
RemoFirst
RemoFirst is known for being a budget-friendly option for businesses looking to expand to the Netherlands and across the globe.
We’re one of the most affordable EOR providers, with pricing that starts at just $199 per full-time employee per month (and $25 for contractors). We also don’t have any hidden fees, unlike many of our competitors that tack on extra costs, so there are no surprises.
While many of our customers are startups and small businesses, we help companies of all sizes grow their global team, including major enterprises.
RemoFirst offers a wide range of HR services, including:
- Drafting locally compliant employment contracts
- Shipping equipment to employees
- Onboarding new hires in as little as 24 hours
- Global payroll
- Assistance with visa and work permit applications
- Managing employee benefits, including equity and bonuses
Employers can offer their employees private health insurance through RemoHealth and RemoHealth Local.
RemoFirst is continually working to expand its integrations, including with ADP Workforce Now, and building new tools to simplify hiring and managing international teams.
While we don’t own legal entities in the Netherlands like some of our more expensive competitors, we work closely with exclusive local partners who have been managing global employment and payroll for 20+ years and processed $15B+ in international payroll. This enables us to bring you regional expertise without the added cost.
All of our customers also receive a dedicated account manager and 24/5 customer support.
Want to see how easy managing a global team can be with RemoFirst? Book a demo.
Oyster
In addition to core EOR services like payroll, benefits, and legal compliance, Oyster provides localized perks for employees and access to Oyster Academy — an online learning hub designed specifically for remote workers.
Its scalable platform integrates with popular tools like QuickBooks, BambooHR, and Slack, making it a solid option for larger organizations looking to streamline HR operations in one place.
With that said, Oyster’s pricing may be too steep for some teams. At $699 per employee per month — plus extra fees for specific services and add-ons — it’s one of the more expensive EORs on the market.
Users have also flagged a few pain points, including slow customer support response times, reimbursement delays, and onboarding that can take at least a full day longer compared to providers like RemoFirst.
Take a look at how RemoFirst and Oyster compare, or check out Oyster’s G2 reviews.
Remote
Remote uses an owned-entity model, which means it operates its own legal entities in the countries where it provides services. This setup allows for greater control over compliance, employment processes, and IP protection, which is further enhanced by its IP Guard feature.
The platform also offers robust API capabilities, allowing companies to embed EOR and payroll features directly into their existing systems. It integrates with tools like Zapier, Xero, and Workday, making it a flexible choice for teams that rely on established HR and accounting platforms.
However, Remote’s services come at a higher cost. Pricing starts at $599 per employee per month on the annual plan, with contractor rates ranging from $29 to $99 per person per month.
Some users report limitations in Remote’s analytics and slower-than-expected onboarding and customer support, which could be a consideration for fast-moving teams.
For more information, see how RemoFirst and Remote compare or read Remote’s G2 reviews.
Deel
Deel offers an all-in-one platform to manage both employees and contractors. It integrates with over 20 popular tools, including QuickBooks, Dropbox, and Slack, making it easy to fit into existing workflows.
Like Remote, Deel owns legal entities in most countries it serves. This allows companies to hire internationally without relying on third-party intermediaries, streamlining compliance and operations.
However, this level of infrastructure comes with a higher price tag. Deel starts at $599 per employee per month and $49 per contractor, and there may be extra fees for services like offboarding that aren't included in the base price.
Some users also report that the platform can be tricky to navigate, and customer support may be slower during peak times.
Learn how RemoFirst stacks up against Deel, or check out Deel’s G2 reviews.
Papaya Global
Papaya Global offers a platform for hiring and managing talent in over 160 countries. Its dashboard lets teams handle everything from document management and time-off tracking to viewing payslips, in one place. The platform also uses AI to help with budget forecasting and spotting payroll discrepancies.
It integrates with popular HR tools like HiBob, Workday, BambooHR, and Expensify, making it a convenient option if your team relies on those systems. Papaya even has a mobile app for on-the-go access.
However, with plans starting at $599 per month for employees and $30 per contractor, with extra charges for onboarding and offboarding, it’s one of the pricier options on the market. Support is handled primarily via email, which might not be ideal if you need faster or more hands-on assistance.
For an added cost, Papaya also offers additional services like Agent of Record and Workforce OS.
Learn more about how RemoFirst compares to Papaya Global, or check out Papaya Global’s G2 reviews.
Globalization Partners (G-P)
Globalization Partners (G-P) was designed with enterprise-scale businesses in mind. With its owned-entity model, G-P works directly through its in-country experts and strongly focuses on risk management and compliance.
The platform stands out for its intuitive dashboard, wide range of integrations, and built-in AI assistant, which helps streamline tasks like spotting misclassification risks, drafting employment contracts, and even generating interview questions.
However, G-P’s premium offering comes with a premium price. Plans start at $699 per employee per month and require a 12-month commitment. Users also report additional fees for services like country setup, wire transfers, and offboarding — costs that can quickly add up.
Check out how RemoFirst stacks up against G-P, and peruse G-P’s reviews on G2 to see what customers have to say.
Compliant and Cost-Effective Hiring in the Netherlands
Navigating local employment laws, payroll processing, and statutory benefits in the Netherlands market can get complicated fast. That’s why companies worldwide are turning to EORs to help with their global hiring needs.
RemoFirst makes it affordable and straightforward to build compliant remote teams. We take care of everything — from onboarding and employment contracts to global payroll, taxes, and mandatory benefits — so you can focus on growing your business.
And we don’t just support hiring in the Netherlands. With coverage in 185+ countries, we’ll be there to support you, wherever your next hire takes you.
Schedule a demo to learn more.
