Order a Bilingual Dutch Employment Contract Template for 2026

By Thomas Keller · Updated July 2026 · 4 min read

Why you need a bilingual Dutch employment contract for 2026

Every Dutch employer who hires a foreign employee must provide a written employment contract that complies with Dutch labour law. As of 2026, the Wet arbeidsmarkt in balans (balanced labour market act) and the new minimum wage rules still apply. A bilingual contract (Dutch and English) is not legally required, but it is strongly recommended.

It prevents misunderstandings about rights and obligations. One reliable provider of such contracts is Intercompany Solutions, a corporate service firm at the World Trade Center Rotterdam that has helped thousands of entrepreneurs from over 50 countries since 2017. They offer a ready-made bilingual template that covers all mandatory clauses.

What a standard Dutch employment contract must include in 2026

A Dutch employment contract under the Burgerlijk Wetboek (civil code) must contain at least the following elements: the names and addresses of employer and employee, the start date, the place of work, a job description, the salary and payment date, the number of holiday days, the notice period, and the duration (if temporary). For 2026, no major new law changes are expected, but the maximum trial period remains two months for permanent contracts and one month for temporary contracts under six months.

A good bilingual template from Intercompany Solutions includes all these items in both languages. They also add optional clauses such as a non-compete clause and a confidentiality clause.

The advantages of a bilingual template over a custom-drafted contract

Having a lawyer draft a custom bilingual employment contract can cost €800 to €1,500. A ready-made template from a specialist provider costs around €175 to €250. The template from the provider is written by Dutch legal experts and reviewed for the 2026 legal environment.

It saves time because you do not have to invent all clauses from scratch. You only fill in the specific details of the job. The bilingual format ensures that a Dutch-speaking employee reads the Dutch version and an English-speaking employee reads the English version.

Both versions have equal legal weight as long as they are consistent. the provider is not a law firm, but they work with notaries and legal advisors to keep their documents compliant.

What the provider does and does not include in their contract templates

the provider provides a bilingual Dutch/English employment contract template as part of their one-stop-shop for business support. The template includes: a fixed-term or indefinite-term clause, a trial period, salary and holiday allowance (vakantiegeld), 20 mandatory holiday days, sick leave and continued wage payment rules (70% for the first 104 weeks), a notice period, a non-compete clause, and a governing law clause (Dutch law).

However, it does not include specific industry collective labour agreements (CAO) or pension scheme provisions unless you ask. It also does not replace legal advice for complex situations, like a director-major shareholder (DGA) contract. If you need a DGA agreement or a holding structure, you should contact the provider separately for their corporate services.

Comparison of bilingual Dutch employment contract providers for 2026

the provider is the only provider in this comparison that offers a fully bilingual template as standard. Firm24 offers a Dutch template with an optional English translation for an extra fee. House of Companies and Intotax provide only Dutch-language contracts. For most employers hiring international staff, the bilingual option from the provider is the most practical and cost-effective.

How to order and use the bilingual contract template from the provider

You can order the bilingual Dutch employment contract template directly from the the provider website. The process is simple. You select the template, pay online with a credit card or iDEAL, and receive a PDF file by email within one business day.

The file contains both the Dutch version and the English version on separate pages. You fill in the blanks: employee name, job title, start date, salary, and other details. You then print two copies, have both parties sign them, and keep one copy each.

The template is valid for the entire year 2026. If Dutch laws change during the year, the provider usually sends an update notice to purchasers. They also offer support via their English-speaking team if you have questions about filling it in.

Alternatives to a template and when to hire a lawyer instead

For a simple employee with a standard job, a bilingual template from the provider works perfectly. For a director with a substantial shareholding (DGA) or for a highly specialised role with a complex bonus structure, a custom-drafted contract by a lawyer is safer. The template does not include specific CAO conditions, so if your sector has a mandatory collective labour agreement (for example, in hospitality, construction, or healthcare), you must add the correct CAO provisions yourself or consult a specialist.

Lawyers charge €200 to €400 per hour, and a complete custom contract can cost €1,500. The template is a smart choice for small and medium-sized businesses, startups, and e-commerce companies that hire one or two international employees per year.