The Netherlands

The Netherlands, with a history of traders dating back centuries, is a geographically small, densely populated country of 16.5 million people. It enjoys a strong strategic commercial location and is known as the 'Gateway to Europe.'

To ensure this longstanding tradition endures, the Dutch government has created a competitive tax regime that stimulates entrepreneurship and foreign investment. Corporate tax rates are lower than those of most of its European neighbours and numerous other initiatives make locating in the Netherlands attractive for foreign companies. Compared to other (EU) countries, the Netherlands is known for its highly competitive tax climate resulting from its far-reaching tax treaty network, its system of bonded warehouses, and the option of concluding so-called advance tax rulings, in which a company is given certainty in advance with respect to its future tax liability.
Read more about the tax regime

The historical, intimate and green character of the region has always been a driver for innovation and creativity. This province produced, among others, world-class architects such as Gerrit Rietveld and artists like Dick Bruna, creator of the cartoon character Miffy. Importantly, the national and regional governments work hard to stimulate innovation. On the national level, companies can apply for several financial incentives and subsidies. On the regional level, the Taskforce Innovation Utrecht helps innovative companies, especially when applying for subsidies.
Read more about innovation and financial incentives

Some highlights of the favourable Dutch labour conditions:
The Netherlands has a flexible labour market in which skills are readily available:
- Temporary Work Agents make hiring fast and easy, and employment regulations are relatively relaxed.
- Foreign workers are easily integrated into society and there is an efficient fast-track procedure for highly-skilled employees.
- The Netherlands has a highly educated, motivated and flexible workforce, and labour productivity is well above average. Part-time work is very common. An average working week is 38 hours.
- Employment agreements can be for a definite period of time, the duration of a project, or indefinite. Limited contracts may last up to 36 months.
- Employers’ social security contributions are relatively low in the Netherlands and strikes are rare.
- A full-time working employee is legally entitled to a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year.
- Employees are legally entitled to an 8% holiday allowance (calculated over that portion of the gross salary below € 4,000 per month).
- Overall, the Netherlands is extremely competitive compared to many other EU countries when it comes to labour costs.
Read more about the Dutch labour market:

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