25+ Ways to Earn Extra Money

Looking for the best hustles to earn extra money in 2025? Whether you have a full-time job and want to earn some extra cash, or you want to switch to being your own boss - there are more opportunities than ever. In this comprehensive overview, we'll discuss 25+ proven hustles that are actually making money for people in the Netherlands, including realistic expectations about startup time, difficulty level, and expected income.

Why hustles are becoming increasingly popular

Over the past few years, the number of people in the Netherlands with a side hustle in addition to their main job has grown enormously. According to the CBS, in 2024, more than 1.2 million people in the Netherlands had a second source of income. The reasons vary: from financial necessity due to rising costs to the desire to monetize a passion. With the rise of platforms like bol.com, Amazon, and various freelance marketplaces, the barrier to getting started is lower than ever.

Important benefits of having a hustle alongside your main job:

• Extra income - on average €500-€2,000 per month with an active side hustle
• New skills - entrepreneurship, marketing, and financial management
• Financial freedom - less dependent on one employer
• Flexibility - work at your own pace and times
• Potential for growth - some hustles grow into full-time businesses

The best e-commerce hustles

E-commerce is one of the most profitable categories of hustles. Selling physical or digital products online offers huge scalability benefits. Here are the main options:

1. Selling on bol.com

With more than 13 million active customers, bol.com is the largest online sales platform in the Netherlands and Belgium. As a partner seller, you get direct access to this huge customer base. Tools like the Boloo Product Tracker and Product Database help you find profitable products and optimize your sales.

2. Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a popular hustle where you sell products without holding any inventory. The supplier ships directly to your customer. The advantage is a low initial investment, but the margins are generally smaller than with your own inventory.

3. Print on demand

Design your own t-shirts, mugs, posters, and other products that are only produced after an order is placed. Platforms like Printful and Printify make it easy to get started without investing in inventory.

4. Your own webshop

With Shopify, WooCommerce, or other platforms, you can set up your own webshop. You have full control over your brand and customer relationships, but you need to attract visitors yourself through marketing and SEO.

5. Selling handmade products

Creative entrepreneurs can sell unique, handmade products through Etsy, their own webshops, or local markets. Think jewelry, ceramics, artworks, or knitted clothing.

6. Selling digital products

E-books, templates, courses, presets, and software are digital products with a gross margin of almost 100% after the initial creation. Once created, you can sell them infinitely without additional production costs.

Overview: comparing hustles by income and difficulty level

Hustle	Category	Startup time	Difficulty level	Expected monthly income	Initial investment
Selling on bol.com	E-commerce	3-5 months	Average	€500 - €5.000	€500 - €2.000
Dropshipping	E-commerce	1-2 months	Average	€200 - €2.000	€100 - €500
Print on demand	E-commerce	1-2 months	Average	€100 - €1.500	€0 - €100
Freelance writing	Freelance	1-2 months	Average	€500 - €3.000	€0
Social media management	Freelance	1-3 months	Average	€400 - €2.500	€0
Affiliate marketing	Passive income	3-6 months	High	€100 - €5.000	€50 - €300
Creating online courses	Passive income	2-4 months	High	€200 - €3.000	€0 - €500
Virtual assistant	Freelance	1-2 months	Low	€300 - €2.000	€0
YouTube channel	Content creation	6-12 months	High	€100 - €10.000	€200 - €1.000
Blogging	Content creation	6-12 months	Average	€100 - €3.000	€50 - €200
Stock photography	Creative	1-2 months	Average	€50 - €1.000	€500 - €2.000
App development	Tech	8-24 months	Very high	€0 - €50.000	€0 - €5.000

Freelance hustles

Freelancing is a great way to monetize your existing skills. The advantage: you can start quickly and need little to no initial investment.

7. Freelance writing

Content is king. Companies constantly need blog posts, website texts, product descriptions, and social media content. If you can write well in Dutch (and possibly English), you can earn €0.05-€0.15 per word as a freelance writer. Experienced writers charge €0.20+ per word.

8. Virtual assistant

As a virtual assistant, you support entrepreneurs and companies remotely with tasks like email management, calendar planning, data entry, customer service, and bookkeeping. The barrier to entry is low, and you can start quickly.

9. Social media management

Many small businesses and entrepreneurs need help with their social media. As a social media manager, you create content, plan posts, respond to messages, and analyze results. With knowledge of platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, you can earn €500-€1,500 per client per month.

10. Graphic design

Using tools like Canva, Adobe Illustrator, or Figma, you can design logos, visuals, presentations, and marketing materials for clients. Platforms like Fiverr and Upwork offer an easy way to find clients.

11. Online coaching and consulting

Do you have expertise in a specific field? As an online coach or consultant, you can help clients achieve their goals. Think about business coaching, fitness coaching, nutrition advice, or career guidance.

12. SEO consultancy

Search engine optimization is crucial for online businesses. If you have knowledge of SEO - keyword research, link building, technical SEO - you can help companies rank higher in Google. Tools like the Boloo Keyword Verkenner are valuable in this regard.

13. Online tutoring

Whether it's math, languages, music, or programming - online tutoring is a growing market. Through platforms like Superprof or Preply, you can reach students worldwide and earn €15-€50 per hour.

Passive income hustles

Passive income is the ultimate goal for many side hustlers. These hustles require a larger initial time investment, but can generate income with minimal maintenance in the long run.

14. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing involves promoting products or services from other companies and earning a commission per sale or lead. This works well through blogs, YouTube channels, or social media accounts with an engaged audience. Commissions vary from 5% to 50% of the sale price.

15. Creating online courses

If you have expertise in a subject, you can create an online course and sell it through platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or your own website. Once created, a course can generate passive income for years to come.

16. Writing and publishing e-books

Self-publishing through Amazon KDP or bol.com makes it possible to publish e-books without a publisher. Successful authors earn €500-€5,000+ per month with a portfolio of multiple books.

17. Stock photography and video

Upload your photos and videos to platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or Getty Images and earn royalties every time someone downloads them. With a large collection, this can grow into a solid passive income stream.

Content creation hustles

The creator economy offers unprecedented opportunities to turn your creativity into income.

18. Starting a YouTube channel

With 17+ million Dutch YouTube viewers, there's plenty of room for new creators. Income comes from ads (AdSense), sponsor deals, affiliate links, and merchandise. The startup time is long, but the potential income is high.

19. Hosting a podcast

Podcasting is growing explosively in the Netherlands. Through sponsor deals, ads, and premium content, you can generate income. Platforms like Spotify for Podcasters and Apple Podcasts make distribution easy.

20. Blogging

A blog can generate money through ads, affiliate links, sponsored content, and your own products. Choose a niche with sufficient search volume and build authority by consistently publishing valuable content.

21. TikTok and Instagram Reels

Short video content is extremely popular. With a growing audience, you can earn money through the TikTok Creator Fund, brand collaborations, and affiliate marketing. The barrier to entry is low, but you need creativity and consistency.

Tech and innovative hustles

22. App development

If you can program, developing apps is a lucrative hustle. From utility apps to games - the possibilities are endless. The startup time is high, but successful apps can earn thousands of euros per month through in-app purchases or subscriptions.

23. No-code tools and automation

With no-code platforms like Bubble, Webflow, or Zapier, you can build tools, websites, and automations for clients without programming knowledge. This is a growing market with increasing demand.

24. Offering AI services

The rise of AI offers new hustles: from writing AI-prompts for businesses to setting up chatbots and automating business processes with tools like ChatGPT and Make.com.

Tips to make your hustle successful

Starting a hustle is one thing, but making it successful requires the right approach:

• Start small and validate - test your idea before making big investments. Use tools like the Boloo Product Database to do market research if you want to start in e-commerce.
• Automate where possible - use tools to automate repetitive tasks. When selling on bol.com, automatic invoicing helps a lot.
• Track your numbers - know exactly what you're earning and spending. A profit calculator is essential for e-commerce hustles.
• Invest in knowledge - take a course to achieve results faster and avoid costly mistakes.
• Be consistent - most hustles only generate serious income after 3-6 months. Don't give up too quickly.
• Build a network - connect with other hustlers and entrepreneurs through communities, events, and social media.

Common mistakes when starting a hustle

Many people make the same mistakes when starting a hustle. Avoid these pitfalls:

• Trying to do too much at once - focus on one hustle until it's profitable before starting something new
• No KvK registration - in the Netherlands, you're legally required to register with the KvK if you generate income regularly
• Forgetting about VAT - take into account VAT obligations. Under the small business scheme (KOR), you don't have to charge VAT if your turnover is under €20,000
• No bookkeeping - use bookkeeping tools or an automatic invoicing system to keep your administration in order
• Unrealistic expectations - most hustles take months to generate serious income

Legal and tax aspects of hustles in the Netherlands

If you earn money with a hustle in the Netherlands, there are several legal and tax aspects to consider:

• KvK registration - mandatory if you sell products or services regularly
• Tax return - you must declare your income to the Tax Authority, even as a side hustle
• VAT - the small business scheme (KOR) provides an exemption for turnover under €20,000 per year
• Healthcare Insurance Act (ZVW) - you also pay a contribution for the ZVW on your profit
• Hours criterion - if you work at least 1,225 hours per year on your business, you can benefit from the self-employed person's deduction

The future of hustles in 2025 and beyond

The hustle economy continues to evolve. Trends we see:

• AI-driven hustles - more opportunities to use AI for content creation, automation, and data analysis
• Sustainable e-commerce - consumers increasingly choose sustainable products, opening up new niches
• Platform economy - more platforms making it easier to sell products and services
• Remote work - the normalization of working from home makes it easier to run a hustle alongside your job

Whether you choose to sell on bol.com, freelance, create content, or try another hustle - the most important thing is to get started. Start small, learn quickly, and scale up when you've found a working formula. With the right tools and approach, a hustle can grow into a serious source of income.

Frequently Asked Questions about Hustles

What is a Hustle?

A hustle (or side hustle) is a way to earn extra money alongside your regular job. This can range from selling online and freelancing to creating content and generating passive income. The idea is that you work flexibly, often from home, and are your own boss.

How Much Can I Earn with a Hustle?

This varies greatly depending on the type of hustle and the time you invest in it. On average, Dutch side hustlers earn between €200 and €2,000 per month. Successful e-commerce entrepreneurs can earn €5,000+ per month. See the table above for a detailed overview per hustle.

Do I Need a KVK Registration for My Hustle?

Yes, if you regularly sell products or services in the Netherlands, you are required to register with the Chamber of Commerce. This also applies if it's a side income in addition to your main job. The registration costs a one-time fee of €75.09.

Which Hustle is the Best Fit for Me?

This depends on your skills, available time, and starting budget. Are you creative? Consider print on demand or content creation. Do you have commercial insight? Selling on bol.com or dropshipping might be a good fit. Are you tech-savvy? App development or no-code tools offer high earning potential.

Can I Do Multiple Hustles at the Same Time?

It's possible, but not always wise. Focus on one hustle until it's profitable. Once you've got it running smoothly and have automated processes, you can consider starting a second hustle. Tools like the Boloo Sales Dashboard help you efficiently monitor your e-commerce hustle, so you have time for other projects.