Dutch freelancers’ average hourly rate rises to €83 amid growing regulatory worries

Dutch self-employed professionals, known as zzp’ers, are entering 2026 with stronger earnings but growing anxiety over regulations, according to a new survey. The average hourly rate for freelancers has risen to 83 euros, and the average annual profit reached 61,570 euros, up 2 percent from last year.

The survey, conducted by Knab for the third year in a row with more than 20,000 self-employed respondents across the Netherlands, shows rising concern over government rules affecting freelancers. About 52 percent of respondents said they worry about laws such as the Wet DBA, which governs the classification of independent contractors, and the proposed Wet VBAR, a potential new regulation aimed at further controlling freelance work. This is nearly double the 29 percent who expressed concern last year.

Despite these concerns, demand for freelancers remains high. About 82 percent said they experienced significant demand for their services, only slightly below 84 percent in 2025. Confidence in individual businesses also remains strong, with 84 percent of respondents positive about their company’s future, even as only 48 percent feel optimistic about the overall entrepreneurial climate in the Netherlands, down from 55 percent last year.

“Many freelancers have their finances in order, increasing their rates and earning more than last year,” said Oskar Barendse, financial expert at Knab. “At the same time, concerns about regulations and the business environment are clearly rising. Entrepreneurs worry less about their own business and more about the circumstances in which they operate.”

Gender disparities persist among higher-educated freelancers. Men with bachelor’s or master’s degrees charge on average 13 percent more per hour than women with similar qualifications and experience.

Over the past year, 57 percent of self-employed workers raised their hourly rates, on average by 9 percent. Only 2 percent reduced their rates, while the remainder kept them unchanged. The primary reasons cited for increases were rising costs (72 percent), greater experience or expertise (53 percent), periodic price adjustments (29 percent), and growing demand (26 percent).

The survey also revealed wide sectoral differences. Legal professionals earn the highest average hourly rate at 146, followed by government-related work (106 euros) and healthcare professionals with master’s degrees (105 euros). Lower-paying sectors include hospitality (49 euros), sports and recreation (54 euros), and arts and culture (65 euros). Financial comfort varies accordingly: over 90 percent of freelancers in ICT, finance, and government report managing easily, compared with 67 percent in cultural sectors and 64 percent in personal services.