Moving to the Netherlands from Poland (2026): agency work, housing and your rights

An agency worker has almost the same rights as someone with a regular job, and must never earn less than colleagues doing the same work.

• Equal terms. The law gives you at least the same pay and allowances as employees in equal or equivalent jobs at the company where you are placed (Waadi, article 8). The agency must clearly inform you about your terms before you start (Work in NL).
• The minimum wage. It is the minimum pay for work done in employment in the Netherlands, and the Netherlands Labour Authority fines employers who underpay (Labour Authority). From 1 July 2026 it is €14.99 gross an hour at 21 or older, after €14.71 from 1 January (Rijksoverheid). Our minimum wage guide lists the rates for younger workers.
• Paid through the bank. Your employer must pay at least the minimum wage through the bank, and at least its net part must reach your account. Deductions from the minimum wage are banned, except, under conditions, for housing costs or your health insurance premium (Labour Authority).
• Less security at the start. An agency worker can be let go more quickly when starting work, and gets no wages without work (Work in NL).
• Approval from 2027. From 1 January 2027 agencies may only hire out workers with approval, decided by the Netherlands Authority for the Temporary Employment Market (NAU). From 1 January 2028 the Labour Authority enforces this, and fines both unapproved agencies and the companies that use them (Rijksoverheid). Approval requires paying the right wage and taxes, a certificate of conduct (VOG), a €100,000 deposit and approved housing for foreign workers (Ondernemersplein).
• Check your agency now. See that it is registered with the Chamber of Commerce and certified, and always ask for a copy of your contract.
• Contract ended or wages missing? Read what to do when your employer does not pay and our guide to an ended agency contract or unpaid overtime.

The RNI is for people who live abroad or stay less than 4 months; anyone staying longer must register at the town hall where they live.

• The RNI. Registering there is not compulsory, but you need it for a BSN if you are not in the BRP, and with a European passport you can use any of the 19 RNI desks (RvIG). If you will be here for more than 4 months, you cannot register at an RNI desk (Netherlands Worldwide).
• The BRP. You register at your fixed home address (Rijksoverheid), in person and within 5 days of arriving. Our BSN guide explains both registers.
• What depends on it. Exchanging your Polish driving licence requires BRP registration (RDW), although an EU car licence stays usable here for 15 years from its date of issue while valid (RDW). Once you are registered without Dutch health insurance, the CAK writes to you, and the insurance is due within 4 months of arriving (Government.nl).
• A duty for agencies on the way. The Waadi now contains an article on the agency’s duty of care for its workers’ correct BRP registration, which is not yet in force (Waadi, article 12ba).
• The 30% ruling needs a salary above €48,013 in 2026 (Belastingdienst), far above minimum-wage pay, so it rarely matters for agency jobs.

The same statutory minimums apply to your contract, whoever employs you.

• Probation: never on a contract of 6 months or less, and otherwise at most 1 or 2 months (Rijksoverheid).
• Holiday allowance: at least 8% of your gross annual salary (Rijksoverheid).
• Sick pay: at least 70% of your wages, and in the first year at least the minimum wage (Rijksoverheid).
• Contract after contract: with gaps of at most 6 months, the last contract becomes permanent after more than 36 months or more than 3 contracts; a collective agreement can stretch that to 48 months and 6 contracts for some functions (Civil Code, article 7:668a).
• Lost your job? Read what to do after a dismissal, and estimate your net pay with our salary calculator.