Rules for employing minors

Do you want to employ young people, for example for a side job or holiday work? In the Netherlands special rules apply to the employment of young people regarding the kind of work and their working hours and rest times. These rules differ per age category.

From what age are you allowed to work?

Children are allowed to work from 13 years of age. Children under 13 are not allowed to work, except for community service and cultural performances. The ban on child labour applies to all children under 13 in the Netherlands, also to children of a different nationality.

Children aged between the ages of 13 and 16 are allowed to work outside school hours and in the holidays, but only under certain conditions. From the age of 16, young people are free to do any kind of work. Young people from 15 to 20 receive the minimum youth wage.

Children under 13

12-year-olds (in Dutch) are only allowed to work if they have committed an offence and are given community service. There are rules for the (number of) working hours and rest times (in Dutch). 12-year-olds can only do light work, under the supervision of an adult. They cannot work in a factory, operate machines, or work near machines.

Children aged 12 (or younger) may participate in a performance, such as a commercial or a play.

13 and 14-year-olds

13 and 14-year-old children are allowed:

• to do jobs such as babysitting and washing cars
• help with light, non-industrial work, such as work in a shop or an agricultural business, but only on non-schooldays and during the holidays. They cannot work with or near machines.

There are rules for the (number of) working hours and rest times (in Dutch).

13- and 14-year-olds are not allowed to do certain types of work, such as:

• work in a factory
• operate machines, or work near machines
• work in an area where alcohol is or can be served
• lifting, pulling, or pushing weights of over 10 kilograms
• working with chemicals

Since there is no minimum wage for children aged 13 and 14, you agree together on the wage rate.

15-year-olds

Children of 15 are allowed to do light, non-industrial work without supervision (in Dutch), after school and during the holidays. 15-year-olds can work a maximum of five days a week and mandatory rest en break times apply (in Dutch). On Sundays, they can work under certain conditions (in Dutch).

15-year-olds are not allowed to do certain types of work, such as:

• operate a cash register
• delivering meals or groceries by bike or e-bike
• work in an area where alcohol is or can be served (they can work in the kitchen)
• work in a factory
• operate machines, or work near machines
• lift, push, or pull heavy weights

You have to pay them the statutory minimum youth wage for their age.

Youths of 16 and 17

Youths who are 16 or 17 can do just about any type of work, so long as it is not dangerous. For instance, they cannot work with hazardous substances, or in extreme noise. Only under expert supervision are they allowed to do work that involves risks (in Dutch). The work must not interfere with their school attendance. For these youths a maximum number of working hours and mandatory rest times apply as well (in Dutch). You have to pay them the statutory minimum youth wage for their age.

Holiday work

Young employees can work longer hours outside school hours and during holiday periods. There are several restrictions on when and where children are allowed to work, as well as on the types of employment.

Delivering newspapers

15-year-olds can deliver papers and advertising brochures. There are, however, extra rules for delivering morning newspapers. For instance, a 15-year-old is not allowed to work for more than 2 hours, and must have at least 12 hours uninterrupted resting time per day. The child and the parents/carers must also sign a delivery agreement.

Working in the hotel and catering sector

Children under the age of 16 are not allowed to work in areas where alcoholic drinks are served, or can be served.

You may not employ children under 16 years old to deliver meals by (electric) bike. A younger child may however assist in delivering of meals and a 15 year old may deliver meals independently and on foot.

Children in radio, television, film, or theatre

If you want children younger than 13 years of age to participate in performances (in Dutch), such as acting in a film, fashion or TV show or commercial, or performing in a theatre, you need a dispensation from the ban on child labour. You apply for dispensation for children to perform cultural work to the Netherlands Labour Authority (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie, NLA, in Dutch). You have to observe certain working hours and resting times (in Dutch).

Children of all ages must be supervised by an expert, before, during, and after the performance. And you will have to observe certain working hours and resting times (in Dutch), too.

Young people with their own company

Young entrepreneurs under the age of 18 are permitted to start their own company, but they need approval from their parents or carers. Those between the ages of 16 and 18 can apply to the sub-district court for limited legal capacity. This makes them responsible for their own actions. Children of under 16 always need approval and cannot apply for limited legal capacity.

Social traineeship and professional internship

Children aged between 13 and 15 can do light work during their social traineeship. You lay this down in a traineeship agreement with the school. Certain working hours and resting times apply to social traineeships (in Dutch).

Children of 14 and 15 can perform a professional internship under certain conditions (in Dutch). During this internship, they can do light factory work or operate machines. The child must be supervised. You draw up an internship agreement with the school. Both the child and its parents or carers must sign this agreement.