Dutch Self-Employed Law Aims to Clarify ZZP Status
New Dutch law sets criteria for self-employed workers (zzp'ers) to reduce ambiguity and prevent false self-employment.
1 article Updated October 16, 2026
English-language coverage of schijnzelfstandigheid news from the Netherlands.
The Dutch government has proposed a new law with concrete criteria for who counts as a genuine freelancer (zzp'er), after stricter enforcement against false self-employment caused clients to drop freelancers. Meanwhile, self-employment has fallen by 131,000 — but most former freelancers quickly found new jobs. Here's what it means for internationals on residence permits.