A side hustle in the Netherlands is the key to financial freedom for more and more Dutch people. Whether you want to pay off your mortgage faster, save for a vacation, or build a full online business - there are more opportunities than ever in 2025 to earn extra money alongside your job. In this comprehensive guide, we discuss 25 proven side hustles, including realistic earnings, startup costs, and time investment.
Why start a side hustle in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands offers unique benefits for side hustlers. With one of the highest internet penetration rates in the world, a strong e-commerce infrastructure, and favorable regulations for small entrepreneurs, it's the ideal country to start a business alongside your job. According to the CBS, more than 12% of working Dutch people have a side job or their own business alongside their main job - and that percentage is growing every year.
Benefits of a side hustle
- Extra income - On average €500-€2,000 per month, depending on your side hustle
- Financial security - A second income stream protects you in case of job loss
- New skills - You learn entrepreneurship, marketing, and financial management as you go
- Flexibility - Work when it suits you, at your own pace
- Tax benefits - As a freelancer, you can benefit from the self-employed person's deduction and starter's deduction
Side hustle Netherlands overview: the 25 best options
The table below provides a complete overview of the most popular side hustles in the Netherlands, with realistic estimates for earnings and startup costs.
| Side Hustle | Earnings/month | Startup costs | Difficulty level | Time to first income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling on bol.com | €500 - €5.000+ | €200 - €2.000 | Average | 2-4 weeks |
| Dropshipping | €300 - €3.000 | €100 - €500 | Average | 1-3 months |
| Freelance writing | €400 - €2.500 | €0 - €50 | Low | 1-4 weeks |
| Affiliate marketing | €100 - €3.000 | €50 - €200 | Average | 3-6 months |
| Online tutoring | €300 - €1.500 | €0 - €100 | Low | 1-2 weeks |
| Social media management | €500 - €2.000 | €0 - €100 | Average | 2-4 weeks |
| Print on demand | €200 - €2.000 | €0 - €100 | Average | 1-3 months |
| Virtual assistant | €400 - €1.500 | €0 | Low | 1-2 weeks |
| Creating online courses | €200 - €5.000 | €100 - €500 | High | 2-4 months |
| Blogging/vlogging | €100 - €3.000 | €50 - €200 | Average | 3-12 months |
| Stock photography | €50 - €500 | €500 - €2.000 | Average | 1-3 months |
| Graphic design | €500 - €3.000 | €200 - €500 | High | 2-4 weeks |
| Web development | €1.000 - €5.000 | €0 - €200 | High | 1-4 weeks |
| App development | €500 - €10.000 | €0 - €500 | Very high | 3-12 months |
| SEO consulting | €500 - €3.000 | €0 - €200 | Average | 1-3 months |
| E-commerce own webshop | €300 - €5.000 | €200 - €1.000 | High | 1-3 months |
| Coaching/consulting | €500 - €3.000 | €0 - €200 | Average | 1-2 months |
| Podcasting | €100 - €2.000 | €200 - €500 | Average | 3-6 months |
| Translation work | €300 - €2.000 | €0 | Low | 1-2 weeks |
| Second-hand sales | €100 - €1.000 | €0 - €200 | Low | Immediate |
| Digital products | €200 - €3.000 | €0 - €200 | Average | 1-3 months |
| Handmade products | €200 - €2.000 | €100 - €500 | Average | 2-4 weeks |
| Bookkeeping/administration | €400 - €1.500 | €0 - €200 | Average | 2-4 weeks |
| Photography/videography | €500 - €3.000 | €1.000 - €3.000 | High | 2-4 weeks |
| Marketplace arbitrage | €200 - €2.000 | €100 - €500 | Low | 1-2 weeks |
E-commerce: the most popular side hustle in the Netherlands
E-commerce is by far the most popular side hustle in the Netherlands. With platforms like bol.com, Amazon, and your own webshop, you can start selling relatively quickly. Below, we discuss the most important e-commerce opportunities in detail.
1. Selling on bol.com
Selling on bol.com is the most accessible e-commerce side hustle for Dutch people. With over 13 million active shoppers, you have direct access to a huge customer base. You can start with a small assortment and gradually expand. Tools like the Boloo Product Tracker and Product Database help you find profitable products. The startup costs are low: you don't pay a monthly subscription to bol.com, just a commission per sold product.
2. Dropshipping
With dropshipping, you sell products without your own stock. Your supplier ships directly to the customer. This significantly reduces your startup costs, but the margins are smaller. Successful dropshippers focus on niche products and strong product pages. With the Listing Generator AI, you can quickly create professional product descriptions that increase your conversion rate.
3. Print on demand
Print on demand combines creativity with e-commerce. You design products (t-shirts, mugs, posters) that are only produced after an order. Platforms like Printful and Gelato integrate directly with bol.com and Shopify.
4. Your own webshop
Having your own webshop via Shopify or WooCommerce gives you full control over branding, prices, and customer relationships. The downside is that you have to generate traffic yourself through SEO, social media, and ads.
5. Second-hand sales and marketplace arbitrage
Buy products cheaply at thrift stores, flea markets, or online clearance sales and sell them for a profit on Marktplaats, Vinted, or bol.com. This is an excellent way to start without a large investment.
6. Handmade products
If you're creative, you can sell handmade products via Etsy, bol.com, or your own webshop. Think of jewelry, candles, soap, or personalized gifts.
Freelance and service provision as a side hustle
Freelance work is a low-threshold way to earn extra money with skills you already have. The Dutch freelance market has been growing for years, and platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Dutch alternatives make it easier than ever to find clients.
7. Freelance writing
Content is king, and companies are always looking for good writers. As a freelance writer, you can earn €0.05-€0.15 per word for web texts, blog articles, and social media content.
8. Virtual assistant
As a virtual assistant, you help entrepreneurs with email management, schedule planning, bookkeeping, customer service, and other administrative tasks. The demand for VAs is growing explosively.
9. Social media management
Small businesses are increasingly outsourcing their social media. As a social media manager, you create content, plan posts, and analyze results for multiple clients at the same time.
10. Online tutoring
With a background in a specific subject, you can give online lessons. Platforms like Bijles.com and Tutorful connect you with students. Hourly rates vary from €15 to €50+.
11. Translation work
The Netherlands is multilingual, and the demand for translators (English-Dutch, German-Dutch) remains high. Specialized translators (legal, medical, technical) earn the best rates.
12. Coaching and consulting
Do you have expertise in a specific domain? As a coach or consultant, you can monetize your knowledge. Think of business coaching, career coaching, or health coaching.
Digital side hustles: earning money online without stock
Digital products and services offer scalable income opportunities with low marginal costs. Once created, they can be sold unlimitedly.
13. Affiliate marketing
Promote products from other companies and earn a commission per sale. This works best in combination with a blog, YouTube channel, or social media following.
14. Creating online courses
Share your expertise via platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or your own course platform. One well-made course can generate passive income for months.
15. Blogging and vlogging
Build an audience around a specific topic and earn money through ads, sponsorships, affiliate links, and your own products. The Boloo courses are a great example of how you can monetize your knowledge.
16. Podcasting
The Dutch podcast market is growing rapidly. With a microphone costing €100-€200, you can get started. Income comes from sponsorships, ads, and premium content.
17. Selling digital products
E-books, templates, spreadsheets, planners - digital products cost nothing to reproduce and can be sold via Gumroad, Etsy, or your own website.
18. Stock photography
Upload your photos to Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock and earn royalties for each download. A strong portfolio of thousands of photos can generate €200-€500 per month.
Technical side hustles with high earnings
If you have technical skills, the best-paying side hustles are within reach. The Dutch tech market is crying out for talent.
19. Web development
Build websites for small businesses as a freelancer. A simple WordPress site can earn €500-€2,000, while custom web applications can bring in €5,000+.
20. App development
Develop apps for clients or build your own SaaS product. The startup costs are negligible if you already have the skills, and the earning potential is enormous.
21. Graphic design
Logos, branding, social media graphics, packaging design - companies always need graphic work. Tools like Canva and Figma lower the barrier to entry.
22. SEO consultancy
Help companies rank higher in Google. With tools like the Boloo Keyword Verkenner and Ranking Checker, you can also help e-commerce entrepreneurs improve their visibility on bol.com.
23. Bookkeeping and administration
Many freelancers and small business owners outsource their bookkeeping. With knowledge of e-bookkeeping, Exact Online, or MoneyBird, you can serve multiple clients. The automated invoicing of Boloo shows how technology can simplify administration.
24. Photography and videography
Product photography for e-commerce sellers, event photography, or portrait photography - there's always demand for high-quality visual content.
25. AI and automation consultancy
The latest and fastest-growing side hustle: help companies implement AI tools for customer service, content creation, and process optimization. Demand far exceeds supply.
Costs and taxes for your side hustle in the Netherlands
Before you start your side hustle in the Netherlands, it's essential to understand the financial and legal aspects. Here are the key points:
| Subject | Details | Costs/Threshold |
|---|---|---|
| KvK registration | Required if you sell or offer services regularly | One-time €75.09 |
| VAT return | Quarterly or monthly return to the Tax Authority | Free (do it yourself) or €50-€100/quarter (accountant) |
| Small Business Scheme (KOR) | Exemption from VAT if turnover is less than €20,000/year | Free - saves you VAT administration |
| Income tax | Side hustle income is taxed in Box 1 | Progressive: 36.93% - 49.50% |
| Self-employed deduction | Deduction for entrepreneurs who spend ≥ 1,225 hours | €2,470 deduction (2025) |
| Starters' deduction | Extra deduction for the first 3 years as a starter | €2,123 extra deduction |
| bol.com commission | Per sold product, depending on category | 5% - 17% of sales price |
| Insurance | Liability insurance for freelancers | €10 - €30/month |
When do you need a KvK number?
In the Netherlands, you are required to register with the Chamber of Commerce if you regularly sell products or services. For occasional sales (for example, clearing out your attic via Marktplaats), this is not necessary. As soon as you sell regularly or set up a side hustle as a business, you must register.
5 steps to start your side hustle
Ready to get started? Follow this step-by-step plan to successfully set up your side hustle in the Netherlands:
- Choose your side hustle - Choose something that fits your skills, interests, and available time. Use the table above to compare options based on earnings, costs, and difficulty level
- Conduct market research - Validate your idea before investing. For e-commerce on bol.com, you can use the Product Database to see which products sell well and where opportunities lie
- Arrange your administration - Register with the KvK, open a business bank account, and set up a simple accounting system. Consider the Small Business Scheme if your turnover remains below €20,000
- Start small and test - Begin with a minimal investment and test your concept. On bol.com, you can start with just a few products and gradually expand based on data from your Sales Dashboard
- Optimize and scale - Analyze your results, optimize your approach, and invest more in what works. Use tools like the Winstcalculator to monitor your margins and the E-mail Campagnes tool to build customer relationships
The 6 most common mistakes when starting a side hustle
Avoid these common mistakes that beginners often make:
- Trying to do too much at once - Focus on one side hustle and get good at it before diversifying. Multitasking leads to mediocre results
- Not doing market research - Sell what people want to buy, not what you like. Use data and tools to back up your decisions
- Forgetting about taxes - Set aside 25-35% of your side hustle income for taxes right away. Many starters are surprised by the tax bill
- Giving up too quickly - Most side hustles need 2-6 months to become profitable. Don't give up after the first month
- Not setting up systems - Automate repetitive tasks where possible. In e-commerce, tools like automatic invoicing and LVB Box Size Checker can save you a lot of time
- Wanting to do everything yourself - Invest in the right tools and outsource tasks that aren't your core activity. Your time is your most valuable asset
Side hustle success: from extra income to full-time income
Many successful entrepreneurs started with a side hustle. The key is consistency, data-driven decisions, and smart use of tools. Whether you choose e-commerce via bol.com, freelance work, or digital products - start today and learn as you go.
For e-commerce sellers, Boloo offers a complete toolkit: from product research and keyword analysis to AI-driven product descriptions and sales analysis. Everything you need to grow your side hustle, in one platform.
Frequently asked questions about side hustles in the Netherlands
How much can I earn with a side hustle in the Netherlands?
Earnings vary greatly per side hustle. On average, side hustlers in the Netherlands earn €300-€2,000 per month. E-commerce sellers on bol.com who take it seriously can generate €1,000-€5,000+ per month. The key is choosing the right niche and consistently investing time and energy.
Do I have to pay taxes on my side hustle income?
Yes, side hustle income is taxable in the Netherlands. It falls under Box 1 (income from work and housing) and is taxed progressively. Use the Kleinondernemersregeling if your annual turnover remains below €20,000 to simplify VAT administration.
Can I have a side hustle alongside a full-time job?
Yes, but check your employment contract for a possible secondary employment clause. Since the Law on transparent and predictable employment conditions (2022), an employer can only prohibit a side job if there is an objective justification. In practice, a side hustle in a different sector is almost always allowed.
What is the best side hustle for beginners?
Selling on bol.com and second-hand sales are the most accessible options for beginners. The start-up costs are low, you can start small, and there is a lot of demand. Freelance services (writing, virtual assistant) are also low-threshold if you already have relevant skills.
How do I start selling on bol.com as a side hustle?
Start by creating a bol.com sales account, do product research with the Product Database, choose 3-5 starter products, create strong product pages with the Listing Generator AI, and track your sales via the Sales Dashboard. You can realize your first sale within 2-4 weeks.
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