25 Proven Side Hustles

Looking for good side hustles to generate extra income alongside your regular job? You're not alone. According to research by the CBS, in 2025, more than 1.2 million Dutch people had a form of side income in addition to their main job. The digital economy makes it easier than ever to earn money from home or on the go. In this article, we share 25 proven side hustles you can start in 2026, including startup costs, earning potential, and practical tips to get you started quickly.

What are good side hustles and why should you start one?

A side hustle is a side income in addition to your main job. The difference with a regular part-time job is that with a side hustle, you usually have more flexibility: you determine your own working hours, often work online, and can scale up to a full-fledged business if it becomes successful. The benefits of a good side hustle are numerous:

• Financial buffer: Extra income provides security in case of unexpected expenses
• Entrepreneurial experience: You learn skills that are valuable in any career
• Passive income: Some side hustles generate income while you sleep
• Flexibility: You work when it suits you - in the evenings, on weekends, or during holidays
• Low risk: You keep your fixed job and salary while building something new
• Creativity: A side hustle gives you room to monetize your passion

According to a report by ING from 2025, the average Dutch side hustler earns between €300 and €1,500 extra per month. The top 10% even earn more than €3,000 per month, which prompts some to turn their side hustle into a full-time business.

Overview: 25 good side hustles at a glance

Below, you'll find an overview of the 25 best side hustles for 2026, sorted by category. For each side hustle, we indicate how much you can earn, how quickly you can get started, and what the level of difficulty is.

Side hustle	Category	Startup costs	Earning potential / month	Difficulty level	Time to first income
Selling on bol.com	E-commerce	€0–€500	€500–€5.000+	Average	2–4 weeks
Dropshipping	E-commerce	€100–€300	€300–€3.000	Average	4–8 weeks
Print on demand	E-commerce	€0–€100	€200–€2.000	Low	2–6 weeks
Freelance writing	Freelance	€0	€500–€3.000	Average	1–4 weeks
Virtual assistant	Freelance	€0	€400–€2.500	Low	1–2 weeks
Graphic design	Freelance	€0–€200	€500–€4.000	High	2–6 weeks
Social media management	Freelance	€0	€300–€2.000	Average	2–4 weeks
Creating online courses	Digital	€0–€200	€200–€5.000+	High	4–12 weeks
Affiliate marketing	Digital	€50–€200	€100–€3.000	Average	8–16 weeks
Blogging	Digital	€50–€150	€100–€2.000	Average	12–24 weeks
YouTube channel	Content	€0–€500	€100–€5.000+	High	12–24 weeks
Podcast	Content	€100–€300	€100–€2.000	Average	12–20 weeks
SEO consultant	Services	€0	€500–€4.000	High	4–8 weeks
Online coaching	Services	€0–€100	€500–€5.000+	High	4–8 weeks
Starting a webshop	E-commerce	€200–€1.000	€300–€5.000+	High	6–12 weeks
Stock photography	Creative	€0–€500	€50–€1.000	Average	4–8 weeks
App development	Tech	€100–€500	€500–€10.000+	Very high	12–24 weeks
Online tutoring	Services	€0	€300–€2.000	Low	1–2 weeks
Translation work	Freelance	€0	€400–€2.500	Average	1–4 weeks
Writing e-books	Digital	€0–€100	€50–€2.000	Average	4–12 weeks
Handmade products	Creative	€50–€500	€200–€2.000	Average	2–6 weeks
Selling second-hand items	E-commerce	€0	€100–€1.000	Low	1 week
Bookkeeping/Admin	Services	€0–€100	€400–€2.500	Average	2–4 weeks
Web design	Tech	€0–€200	€500–€5.000	High	4–8 weeks
Selling digital products	Digital	€0–€100	€200–€3.000	Average	4–8 weeks

E-commerce side hustles: the most popular choice

E-commerce is by far the most popular category among Dutch side hustlers. Selling physical products through online platforms offers a proven model with directly visible results. Below, we discuss the most important e-commerce side hustles in detail.

1. Selling on bol.com - the number one side hustle in the Netherlands

With over 13 million active customers, selling on bol.com is one of the most lucrative good side hustles right now. You don't need your own webshop, you don't pay monthly fees, and you directly benefit from the platform's enormous reach. The average bol.com seller with a side hustle earns between €500 and €2,000 per month. The key to success is finding the right product - use tools like the Boloo Product Tracker to discover profitable niches with low competition.

2. Dropshipping via bol.com or your own webshop

With dropshipping, you sell products without holding stock. Your supplier ships the product directly to your customer. This keeps startup costs low and risk minimal. However, keep in mind: margins are smaller than with your own stock, and you're dependent on your supplier's reliability. Look for reliable European suppliers for fast delivery.

3. Print on demand

With print on demand, you sell products with your own designs - think t-shirts, mugs, phone cases, and posters. The product is only produced after an order, so you don't need to hold stock. Platforms like Printful and Gelato integrate easily with Shopify or Etsy.

4. Starting your own webshop

An own webshop gives you full control over your brand and customer relationships. With platforms like Shopify, you can go live within a day. The downside is that you need to drive traffic to your site yourself through SEO, social media, or ads. Combine a webshop with selling on bol.com for maximum reach.

5. Selling second-hand items

The fastest way to get started is by selling items you already have. Platforms like Marktplaats, Vinted, and bol.com Plaza make it easy. This is an excellent first step to gain experience with online selling before investing in a serious side hustle.

Freelance and services: earn with your skills

Do you have specific skills? Then freelance side hustles are an excellent option. You need little to no startup capital and can start earning right away.

6. Freelance writing

Companies have a constant need for content - blog posts, website texts, social media content, and newsletters. As a freelance writer, you can quickly earn €0.08–€0.25 per word. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Dutch job boards provide access to clients. Specialize in a niche (technology, health, marketing) to charge higher rates.

7. Virtual assistant

As a virtual assistant, you help entrepreneurs and businesses with administrative tasks: email management, calendar planning, customer service, data entry, and social media. The barrier is low, and demand is growing every year. Average rates range from €15 to €35 per hour.

8. Social media management

Many small businesses want to be active on social media but lack the time or knowledge. As a social media manager, you create content, schedule posts, respond to comments, and analyze results. With 3 to 5 clients, you can already earn €1,000–€2,000 per month.

9. Graphic design

Are you creative with Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Figma? You can design logos, social media templates, flyers, and other visual content for businesses. This is one of the best-paid freelance side hustles, with rates of €30 to €75 per hour for experienced designers.

10. SEO consultant

Companies pay handsomely for search engine optimization. If you have knowledge of SEO, you can analyze websites, identify improvement points, and implement them. SEO consultants earn an average of €50–€100 per hour. Use tools like Ahrefs or SEMrush to offer your services professionally.

Digital products and passive income

Digital products are the holy grail of side hustles: you create them once and sell them unlimitedly. This is the ultimate path to passive income.

11. Creating online courses

The e-learning market is growing explosively. If you have expertise in a particular field, you can create an online course and sell it through platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare. Successful course creators earn €500 to €10,000+ per month. Think of topics like Excel, photography, programming, marketing, or personal development.

12. Affiliate marketing

In affiliate marketing, you promote products or services from other companies and earn a commission per sale. You need a blog, YouTube channel, or social media followers to generate traffic. It takes a while to see results, but the potential earnings are high and largely passive.

13. Blogging

Starting a blog costs little but can pay off in the long run through advertising revenue, affiliate links, and sponsored content. The key is to consistently publish content in a specific niche and be good at SEO. You'll earn little to nothing in the first few months, but after 6–12 months, it can generate serious money.

14. Writing and selling e-books

Through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you can publish and sell e-books worldwide. The costs are negligible, and the royalties range from 35% to 70%. Choose a topic that's in demand - non-fiction books in niches like personal finance, health, and self-improvement sell best.

15. Selling digital products

Think of templates, spreadsheets, planners, Notion templates, Lightroom presets, and social media packages. Platforms like Gumroad and Etsy Digital make it easy to sell digital products without technical knowledge.

Content creation and social media

The creator economy offers unprecedented opportunities. With a smartphone and creativity, you can build an audience that you can monetize through various channels.

16. YouTube channel

YouTube pays creators through the Partner Program (advertising revenue), but the real earnings come from sponsor deals, affiliate links, and own products. Dutch YouTubers earn an average of €1–€5 per 1,000 views, but the cumulative effect of a growing channel is enormous.

17. Podcast

Podcasting is growing rapidly in the Netherlands. You can earn money through sponsor deals, premium content, or as a funnel for your other services. The startup costs are low - a good microphone and free software like Audacity are enough to get started.

18. Stock photography

Do you have a good camera or smartphone? Upload your photos to stock photo platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, and Getty Images. Each download earns a small amount, but with thousands of photos, it adds up quickly. Focus on niches with high demand: business, technology, lifestyle, and nature.

Services and consulting

19. Online coaching

Whether it's business coaching, life coaching, fitness coaching, or career coaching - the demand for online coaches is growing. With an investment in certification and a simple website, you can offer sessions for €50 to €200+ per hour.

20. Online tutoring

Are you good at math, languages, physics, or another subject? Platforms like Bijles.com and Superprof connect you with students. Average rates range from €15 to €40 per hour, and you can schedule your sessions at your convenience.

21. Translation work

Do you speak multiple languages fluently? Translation work is an excellent side hustle. Dutch translators earn an average of €0.08–€0.15 per word. With English-Dutch translation work, you can get started quickly via platforms like ProZ.com and TranslatorsCafe.

22. Bookkeeping and administration

Many freelancers and small businesses are looking for someone to manage their bookkeeping. If you have an affinity for numbers, you can take this on as a side hustle. With a few clients, you can earn €500–€1,500 per month.

Tech and development

23. Web design

Companies always need websites. With knowledge of WordPress, Webflow, or Shopify, you can build websites for €500 to €5,000 per project. This is one of the best-paid side hustles, especially if you specialize in a particular industry.

24. App development

If you can program, app development is a lucrative side hustle. You can develop and publish your own apps or build apps for clients as a freelancer. The barrier to entry is high, but the earning potential is enormous.

25. Selling handmade products

Creative people can sell handmade products via Etsy, bol.com, or local markets. Think of jewelry, candles, soap, knitted items, or personalized gifts. The margins are high because customers are willing to pay more for unique, handmade products.

How to choose the best side hustle for you?

With 25 options, it can be difficult to choose. Use these criteria to select the perfect side hustle for your situation:

• Available time: How many hours per week can you dedicate? E-commerce requires more time than passive income from digital products
• Start-up capital: Some side hustles cost nothing to start, while others require an investment of a few hundred euros
• Skills: Build on what you already know. A programmer is more likely to start with web design than with stock photography
• Income goal: Do you want to earn an extra €200 or €2,000 per month? This determines which side hustles are realistic
• Scalability: Do you want to turn the side hustle into a full-time business one day? Choose a model that is scalable
• Interest and passion: A side hustle you enjoy will keep you motivated - and that's crucial for success

Practical steps: get started today

Ready to begin? Follow this step-by-step plan to quickly start your side hustle:

1. Choose your side hustle: Use the table above to select a side hustle that suits your situation
2. Research the market: Analyze the competition and demand. For e-commerce on bol.com, you can use the Boloo Product Database
3. Register with the KvK: For most side hustles, you need a KvK number. The cost is a one-time fee of €75.09
4. Set up your workspace: Ensure a quiet workspace, reliable internet, and the necessary tools
5. Start small: Begin with a minimum viable product and scale based on results
6. Keep track of your finances: Use accounting tools or an invoicing tool to track your income and expenses
7. Continuously optimize: Analyze what works, test new approaches, and invest in knowledge

Frequently asked questions about good side hustles

Do I need to register with the KvK for a side hustle?

In most cases, yes. As soon as you're offering products or services on a regular basis and earning income from them, you're legally required to have a KvK registration. The cost is a one-time fee of €75.09, and registration can be completed within half an hour.

How much can I earn from a side hustle alongside my main job?

In principle, there's no maximum amount you can earn from a side hustle in the Netherlands. However, you do need to declare all your income on your tax return. Also, check your employment contract: some employers have a clause regarding secondary employment. If you're unsure, inform your employer.

What are the tax rules for side hustles?

As a freelancer with a side hustle, you'll fall under income tax. You can benefit from entrepreneur facilities like the self-employed person's deduction (€5,030 in 2026) and the starter's deduction (an additional €2,123). Keep all your receipts and use an accounting system to make the most of deductible expenses.

Which side hustle generates money the fastest?

Service provision (virtual assistant, tutoring, freelance writing) usually generates income the fastest - often within 1-2 weeks. E-commerce via bol.com is also relatively quick: after setting up a sales account, you can realize your first sales within a few weeks.

Can I do multiple side hustles at the same time?

Yes, but focus is key. Start with one side hustle, build it up until you're earning consistent income from it, and then consider adding a second one. Starting too many at the same time often leads to mediocre results.

Which side hustle is most suitable for beginners?

Selling on bol.com, being a virtual assistant, and selling second-hand items are the most accessible options. They require little to no start-up capital, technical knowledge, or experience. Check out our free course to get started with selling on bol.com right away and become a bol.com seller.