Unpaid overtime in the Netherlands
Payment for extra hours depends on the contract, collective agreement (cao) and circumstances. There is no single overtime percentage that applies to every Dutch job.
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1. Check the facts
Compare contracted hours with the hours actually worked. Record who requested or approved extra work, including rosters and messages. Separate overtime from irregular-hours allowances and ordinary hours missing from the payslip.
2. Take action
Check whether compensation is money, time off or already included under an applicable arrangement. Ask the employer to explain the calculation in writing. Voluntarily staying longer is not automatically treated like requested overtime.
3. If the problem continues
If you still disagree, present a dated hours overview and the contract or cao clause you rely on. Ask a union or adviser to check the claim, especially where minimum pay or excessive working hours are involved. Keep recording future hours accurately.
Documents to prepare
- Contract, cao and handbook
- Rosters and approval messages
- Payslips and time-off records
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Het Juridisch Loket ↗Het Juridisch Loket ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice. Updated 11 September 2026.