Get Your Dutch Sick Leave Insurance Sorted Before Hiring in 2026

By Thomas Keller · Updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Why Dutch sick leave insurance matters for employers in 2026

If you hire staff in the Netherlands, you must follow Dutch sick leave rules. The Dutch government requires employers to continue paying salary during illness for up to two years. This is called the "loondoorbetalingsverplichting" (continued salary payment obligation).

You must pay at least 70% of the employee's gross salary, with a minimum of the Dutch minimum wage. In 2026, these rules will still apply. Many employers buy private sick leave insurance to cover the cost of a long-term illness.

Without insurance, you risk paying tens of thousands of euros for a single employee who cannot work for a year or more.

How the Dutch sick leave system works for your employees

Under Dutch law, the employer is responsible for sick pay from the first day of absence. The employee must report sick to you. You then need to arrange for a company doctor (bedrijfsarts) to assess the employee's health and return-to-work possibilities.

You must also keep a sickness report (ziekteverzuimregistratie) and submit it to the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) if the illness lasts longer than 42 weeks. The two-year period means you pay for 104 weeks in total. After that, the UWV takes over with a government disability benefit (WIA).

Many employers choose to limit their financial risk. A typical sick leave insurance policy covers the salary cost from week 2 or week 13 onwards, depending on the plan.

Options for private sick leave insurance in the Netherlands

Several Dutch insurers offer private sick leave insurance (verzuimverzekering). The most common products are the "verzuimverzekering" (sickness absence insurance) and the "verzuim- en re-integratieverzekering" (sickness and reintegration insurance). Some insurers also offer a "vangnetverzekering" (safety net insurance) for the UWV period.

Premiums are usually a percentage of the insured wage bill. Rates vary based on your industry, company size, and claims history. For a small business, a typical premium is between 1.5% and 3.5% of gross payroll.

You can also choose a waiting period. A longer waiting period (e.g., 52 weeks) lowers the premium. A shorter waiting period (e.g., 2 weeks) increases it.

Compare offers from insurers such as Achmea, NN, Interpolis, and De Goudse. For international companies, some brokers specialise in expat and cross-border staff.

How a payroll company can help with sick leave obligations

Intercompany Solutions offers payroll services that include handling sick leave administration. When you use a payroll company, the payroll provider becomes the formal employer for the employee. The payroll company takes care of the sick pay, the company doctor visits, and the UWV reports.

This can be a good option if you are a foreign company hiring in the Netherlands for the first time. You still pay the salary cost, but the payroll provider manages the risk and the paperwork. Intercompany Solutions can assist with setting up a payroll structure or a Dutch BV for your hiring needs.

They work with an English-speaking team and can explain the sick leave rules in simple terms. They are not a law firm and not an insurer, but they can refer you to trusted insurance brokers.

Comparing Dutch sick leave insurance providers

Table note: premium rates are estimates and depend on your specific situation. Always get a personalised quote.

What changes in 2026 for sick leave in the Netherlands

In 2026, the main rules for sick leave remain the same as in 2025. The Dutch government has not announced major changes to the two-year pay obligation or the minimum wage for sick pay. However, the minimum wage itself will increase in January 2026.

The gross minimum wage for employees aged 21 and older is expected to rise to around €2,200 per month (based on the 2025 increase). This means the minimum sick pay will also go up. For employers with multiple staff, the total cost of sick leave will increase proportionally.

The UWV also plans to implement stricter checks on reintegration efforts. Employers must show they are actively helping sick employees return to work. Failure to do so can result in a penalty or a fine.

This makes it even more important to have a clear sick leave policy and insurance in place.

Steps to get Dutch sick leave insurance before hiring in 2026

To prepare for hiring in 2026, follow these steps. First, decide whether you will hire directly through a Dutch BV or through a payroll company. Intercompany Solutions can help you form a Dutch BV if you want to be the direct employer.

Second, estimate your payroll costs and the number of employees. This will determine the insurance premium. Third, contact a Dutch insurance broker or a service provider like the provider to get quotes for sick leave insurance.

Fourth, check if the insurance covers the mandatory company doctor visits and reintegration costs. Some policies include these, others do not. Fifth, sign the policy before the employee starts working.

You cannot backdate sick leave insurance. Finally, keep records of all sickness reports and doctor visits. The UWV can ask for them at any time.

By following these steps, you protect your business from the financial shock of a long-term illness.