Netherlands

Social security contributions

Employee insurance contributions and national insurance tax are levied on residents and non-residents under a number of different regulations.

National insurance tax

Under the national insurance tax regulations, contributions are levied on income up to a maximum of EUR 38,098. At present, the contribution is capped at EUR 10,534 per annum. From this amount several levy rebates may be deducted. National insurance contributions paid by an employee are not deductible from taxable income. National insurance contributions and income taxes are included as a single tax in the first income tax bracket.

Employee insurance contribution

Under the employee insurance regulations, contributions are to be paid on income up to a maximum of EUR 71,628. The contribution rate depends on the employer’s industry.

Dutch Health Insurance Act

It is compulsory for all residents of the Netherlands and all employees who are subject to Dutch wage tax to be covered under the Dutch Health Insurance Act (Zorgverzekeringswet) and to have a statutory health insurance policy. For employees the contribution will consist of:

• a nominal contribution of approximately EUR 1,768 to be paid to the health insurance company, and
• an income-related contribution (6.57% on income up to a maximum of EUR 71,628 with a maximum of EUR 4,705), to be paid to the Dutch tax authorities by the employer.

Consumption taxes

Value-added tax (VAT), known in Dutch as Omzetbelasting or BTW, is payable on sales of goods and on services rendered in the Netherlands as well as on the importation of goods and on the ‘intra-European’ acquisition of goods. There are three VAT rates: 21%, 9%, and 0%. 

The main VAT rate is 21%.

The reduced 9% VAT rate is applicable on certain prime necessities (and to certain energy-saving insulation activities on houses).

The special 0% VAT rate is applicable mainly to intra-EU supplies, exports, imports stored in bonded warehouses, services rendered in connection with the above, and certain other services.

Solar panels are also charged with the 0% VAT rate. 

The following are exempt from VAT:

• The supply of immovable property two years after putting it into use and lease. However, if the lessee’s use of the immovable property is 90% or more for input VAT-deductible purposes, the lessor and lessee may opt to be subject to VAT on rent, in which case the lessor may deduct the VAT charged in respect of the property.
• Medical, cultural, social, and educational services.
• Services provided by banks and other financial institutions in connection with payment transactions and the granting of credit facilities.
• Insurance transactions.
• Transactions in shares.

Net wealth/worth taxes

In the Netherlands, wealth tax does not exist as such. The actual investment income received is not taxed. However, as part of the income tax system, the deemed income from the investment portfolio (e.g. bank accounts, shares) is taxed under the box 3 system. Non-resident taxpayers and partial non-resident taxpayers are only taxed in box 3 on a limited number of sources. For instance, non-residents are subject to taxation only on the net value of a limited number of Dutch assets, including the following:

• Dutch real estate not used as the primary residence.
• Profit rights unrelated to shares or an employment relationship.

As of 1 January 2023, a new transitional legislation over the tax treatment of savings and investments has entered into force until the introduction of new legislation that is announced for 2027.

During the transitional period, a taxpayer’s actual assets will be categorised under one of three categories, namely (i) bank deposits (savings), (ii) other assets, and (iii) debts.

The value under each category on 1 January will be deemed to yield a fixed percentage. The weighted average yield over all categories will be applied to the total assets above a personal exemption of EUR 57,000 (2024) to determine the taxable benefit that will be subject to tax at a flat rate of 36% (2024).

Please refer to the table below for an overview of the fixed percentages for recent years. 

* provisional figures

These fixed returns will be taxed at a flat rate of 36%.

Inheritance, estate, and gift taxes

An inheritance and gift tax is imposed on the fair market value of the gift or inheritance, less an exempt amount that varies depending on the relationship with the donor. The rate levied on the net gift or inheritance (10% to 40%) also depends on this relationship. The tax is due if:

• the gift or inheritance is received from a resident of the Netherlands
• the gift or inheritance is received from a former resident of the Netherlands who is a Dutch national, within ten years of their departure from the Netherlands, or
• the gift is received from a former resident of the Netherlands within one year after their departure from the Netherlands.

The expanded gift exemption for owner-occupied homes will be scrapped as of 2024.

Property taxes

A municipal tax applies to the ownership of immovable property. The circumstances at 1 January of a given year are decisive. The tax is payable upon an annual assessment that is based on the value of the property (as determined by the municipality). Non-residents and residents are subject to municipal tax applicable to the ownership of immovable property.

Luxury and excise taxes

An excise tax is levied on certain consumer goods (e.g. cigarettes, cigars, mineral oils, alcoholic products).

Transfer tax

The transfer of immovable property or certain rights thereto (e.g. buildings, houses, shares in real estate companies) is subject to 2% transfer tax, payable by the new owner. The 2% transfer tax applies equally to residents and non-residents. As of 2021, young first-time buyers on the housing market are eligible for a transfer tax exemption. Someone will qualify as a first-time buyer if they are 18 years old or older but under the age of 35 when they purchase their first property. The first-time buyer can only use the exemption once. From 1 April 2021, a maximum housing value limit of EUR 400,000 will apply, which will be indexed annually (2024: EUR 510,000). This limit applies to the entire property and not to the value of the part of the dwelling acquired. Only starters who buy a house under EUR 510,000 will receive the exemption, while starters who buy a more expensive house will pay 2% transfer tax on the entire amount of the house, just like other house buyers.

Buyers who don't plan to live in their home (investors) must pay a transfer tax of 10.4%.

Insurance tax

An insurance tax of 21% is payable on insurance premiums if the insured is a resident of the Netherlands or if the insured object is in the Netherlands. Several exemptions apply; ships and aircraft operated in international traffic, for example, are exempt from the insurance premium tax. In certain situations, an insurer outside the EU may be required to take on a tax representative in the Netherlands.

Road tax

An individual who owns/uses a car in the Netherlands may become liable to Dutch road tax. The individual who owns the car at the start date of each quarter will be liable to road tax. The amount due depends on the weight of the car and the type of fuel it uses.