Complete Guide on Working from Home in the Netherlands in 2023

Fortunately, if you live in the Netherlands, you are in a good position to work from home. In reality, in 2019 approximately 1.2 million Dutch people did just that. Employers in the Netherlands are largely accustomed to employees working from home, in the office, or combining the two. Additionally, working from home is more environmentally friendly, requires less travel time, and allows you to complete more laundry.

So how did the Netherlands gain such a greay reputation for working from home? Is the Dutch home-based workforce's future in jeopardy? To help you out with all your questions, we’ve compiled all the information about working from home in the Netherlands in one place.

Overview of Working from Home in the Netherlands

The Netherlands had the highest percentage of people who work from home in Europe. The percentage of Dutch citizens who worked from home was at 13.7%, higher than that of Luxembourg (12.7%) and Finland (12.3%). To put that in context, the terrible European average was only 5%.

However, the pandemic slightly altered those figures, with the EU average increasing to 12% in 2020 and Finland taking the top spot as the best nation to work from home. Statistics indicate a steady increase in the number of remote employees in the Netherlands, whether or not those changes will last. From 2013 to 2019, the number of remote employees climbed by 500,000, even before the country was infected with the coronavirus.

The Netherlands' Flexible Working Act went into effect on January 1, 2016. Despite the fact that this act addressed a variety of job situations, remote working was one of the major effects. According to the Act, an employee has the right to request a change in their working environment or hours after 26 weeks of continuous employment. Only if there is a valid basis, the employer may refuse the request.

Tips for Succeeding at Working from Home in the Netherlands

Here are some tips to follow if you are determined to achieve the Dutch work-life balance and thrive while working from home in the Netherlands.

Establish a routine

It can be challenging to keep work and home life distinct at times, and it's simple to lose concentration and turn to household duties instead. Of course, if you're continually getting sidetracked, it's difficult to focus. Moreover, keep in mind that you don't have a boss stopping by and checking your computer occasionally, so it's simple to let your thoughts wander and search Pinterest for dinner ideas or for the newest and most interesting articles in the internet.

It's helpful to set a time for yourself to get up in the morning and to work those hours. Decide how you will make up that lost work time later in the day, when you will take your lunch break, and whether you will have a specific time to accomplish your chores. Also, keep in mind that getting dressed, brushing your teeth, and donning appropriate clothing can significantly impact how productive you feel.

Don't shut yourself off entirely

Even while working from home is a really alluring idea, keep in mind that individuals prefer working in an office because they were designed for social contact. It has been discovered that physical contact improves ideas, communication, and decision-making. If so, it might be a good idea to balance working from home and going into an office. 

Don't be afraid to work outside the home

Since Dutch homes and apartments are frequently notoriously small, working from home need not be interpreted literally. If you need a little more of a routine, go out into the world and check out some coworking places. Fortunately, there are many coworking spaces accessible because working from home is so popular in the Netherlands. Most of them are paid, although some towns also support some that are totally free. In addition to providing a nice working environment and a chance to network, coworking spaces frequently include ultra-fast internet and free tea and coffee.

The importance of good wi-fi

You'll probably communicate with your firm or organization regularly if you work from home. Fast WiFi is an absolute necessity. Added benefit? really quick streaming for once the workweek is done!

Know when to call it quits

Working from home isn't for everyone, and only a small percentage of people find it to be a simple and natural transition. Spend some time getting comfortable and concentrating on making it work. But occasionally things don't work out. Consider how long you'll give it a try and when you might consider going back to the office. It only implies you tried, not that you failed.

Allowance for Working From Home in the Netherlands

The government introduced the new tax-free work from home allowance in September of last year to cover these expenses, and it went into effect on January 1st, 2022. Employers are now permitted under Dutch legislation to give their employees a tax-free payment of up to two euros per day.

Do I qualify for the work from home allowance?

You are eligible for the new work from home allowance provided that you and your employer have a written agreement stating how many days per week you will work from home (for example, in your employment contract). It's vital to keep in mind that if you spend time both at home and at the office, you won't be able to earn both allowances at once; instead, your employer will choose which allowance to give you each day.

Why is the compensation only two euros per day?

According to calculations made by the National Institute for Family Finance Information (Nibud), working from home typically results in increased expenses of just two euros per day. Experts have remarked that two euros is unquestionably on the low side as we approach towards 2022 - especially considering the rising rate of inflation and the current energy crisis. While this should assist many people meet the price of higher bills,

Is the work from home allowance mandatory?

Your employer is not required by law to give employees this additional benefit. The collective bargaining agreement for your industry, however, can have provisions governing the pay offered for working from home.

What does the allowance mean for an entrepreneur in the Netherlands?

You can decide how many days a week each employee will spend working in the office versus from home by having a discussion with them about working arrangements. You, as the employer, can establish a fixed compensation rate for each of your employees based on these agreements; this charge does not need to be altered to reflect any unanticipated departures from the agreement (for example, if an employee is required to spend an extra day working from home).

You will give the allowance to your employees directly; you won't get reimbursed by the tax authorities for your expenses, but you won't have to pay payroll tax either. You could decide to pay your employees more than two euros per day, but doing so will require you to pay taxes on the amount over two euros. In the payroll tax return, you can specify how much your business spent on this compensation. As a business owner, you must keep a record of the agreements you've made with your staff, including which days the staff receives the travel allowance and which days the staff is permitted to work from home.

Other compensation to cover the costs of working from home?

There is another program that enables businesses to reimburse their employees for the costs of setting up their home offices in addition to the new home working allowance. This could, for instance, assist in defraying the price of an office chair or desk as payment for such products is tax-free.