25 Best Side Hustles for Extra Income

Side hustles are more popular in the Netherlands than ever. Whether you're a student looking to earn some extra money, an employee seeking financial freedom, or an entrepreneur wanting to tap into new sources of income - there are countless opportunities to earn extra cash alongside your main job. In this comprehensive overview, we'll discuss the 25 best side hustles for 2025, complete with realistic earnings, startup costs, and practical tips.

What are side hustles and why start in 2025?

A side hustle is an activity that generates extra income alongside your regular job. The difference between a side hustle and a regular part-time job is that with a side hustle, you typically have more flexibility, often work as a freelancer, and have the potential to scale up your earnings. According to the CBS, in 2024, more than 30% of the Dutch population considered starting an extra source of income alongside their main job.

The reasons to start a side hustle in 2025 are compelling:

• Inflation and rising costs - extra income provides financial breathing room
• Digital tools - platforms and AI tools make it easier than ever to get started
• Flexibility - work when and where you want, even from home
• Scalability - some side hustles can grow into a full-fledged business
• Knowledge building - develop new skills that are also valuable in your main job

Comparison of the 25 best side hustles

Below, you'll find a comprehensive comparison of all the side hustles we discuss. Use this table to quickly determine which one best fits your situation.

Side Hustle	Startup Costs	Monthly Potential	Difficulty	Time to First Earnings
Selling on bol.com	€200–€2.000	€500–€5.000+	Average	4–8 weeks
Dropshipping	€100–€500	€300–€3.000	Average	4–12 weeks
Print on demand	€0–€200	€200–€2.000	Average	4–8 weeks
Freelance writing	€0–€50	€500–€3.000	Low	1–4 weeks
Virtual assistant	€0–€50	€400–€2.500	Low	1–3 weeks
Social media management	€0–€100	€500–€3.000	Average	2–6 weeks
Online tutoring	€0–€50	€300–€2.000	Low	1–2 weeks
Affiliate marketing	€50–€300	€100–€5.000+	High	3–6 months
Blogging	€50–€200	€100–€3.000+	High	3–12 months
YouTube channel	€200–€1.000	€100–€5.000+	High	3–12 months
Creating online courses	€100–€500	€200–€5.000+	High	2–4 months
Graphic design	€50–€300	€500–€4.000	Average	2–4 weeks
Stock photography	€500–€2.000	€100–€1.500	Average	1–3 months
Podcast hosting	€100–€500	€50–€2.000	High	3–6 months
App development	€100–€500	€500–€10.000+	Very high	6–12 months
Online coaching	€0–€200	€500–€5.000	Average	2–6 weeks
SEO consultancy	€50–€200	€500–€4.000	Average	2–6 weeks
Own webshop	€300–€2.000	€500–€10.000+	High	2–4 months
Handmade products	€100–€1.000	€200–€2.000	Average	2–6 weeks
Digital products	€0–€200	€200–€5.000+	Average	2–8 weeks
Translation work	€0–€50	€400–€3.000	Low	1–3 weeks
Data entry	€0	€200–€800	Low	1–2 weeks
Mystery shopping	€0	€100–€400	Low	1–2 weeks
Selling second-hand	€0–€100	€100–€1.000	Low	1–2 weeks
Pet sitting	€0–€50	€200–€1.000	Low	1–2 weeks

E-commerce side hustles: the most potential

E-commerce is one of the most lucrative categories of side hustles. You can sell products without a physical store and scale your business step by step. Below, we discuss the most popular e-commerce models.

1. Selling on bol.com

Selling on bol.com is one of the most accessible side hustles in the Netherlands. With over 13 million active customers, the platform offers direct access to a huge audience. You don't need to build your own webshop - register as a partner on bol.com, upload your products, and start selling.

Use tools like the Boloo Product Tracker to find profitable products, and the Profit Calculator to calculate your margins in advance. With Logistics via Bol (LVB), you can outsource shipping, so you can do this alongside your job.

2. Dropshipping

With dropshipping, you sell products you don't have in stock. A supplier ships the product directly to your customer. The startup costs are low, but you have less control over delivery times and quality. Do thorough product research before you start.

3. Print on demand

With print on demand, you design products (t-shirts, mugs, posters) that are only produced after an order is placed. Platforms like Printful and Gelato make integration with webshops easy. No inventory risk, but the margins are generally lower than with your own products.

4. Starting 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, ads, or social media. You can combine this with selling via bol.com for maximum reach.

5. Selling handmade products

Are you creative? Sell handmade jewelry, candles, or decorations via Etsy, bol.com, or your own webshop. The margins are high with unique products, but scalability is limited by production time.

6. Selling digital products

E-books, templates, presets, planners - digital products have no inventory costs and infinite scalability. Once created, you can sell them unlimitedly. Combine with a blog or social media for organic traffic.

Freelance and service side hustles

If you have skills that others need, you can start freelancing right away. The startup costs are minimal, and you can quickly find your first clients via platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or your own network.

7. Freelance writing

Companies are constantly looking for content for websites, blogs, and social media. If you can write well in Dutch (or English), you can earn €30–€80 per hour as a freelance writer. Start on platforms like Upwork or approach companies directly.

8. Virtual assistant

As a virtual assistant, you help entrepreneurs with email management, planning, administration, and more. It's a low-threshold side hustle that mainly requires organizational skills. Rates vary from €15–€40 per hour.

9. Social media management

Many small businesses don't have the time or knowledge to keep up with their social media. If you do this for them - content creation, posting, community management - you can earn €300–€800 per client per month.

10. Online tutoring

Help students with math, languages, or other subjects. Via platforms like Bijles.com or Superprof, you can start quickly. Rates are between €20–€50 per hour, depending on the level and subject.

11. Online coaching or consultancy

Do you have expertise in a specific field? Offer coaching or consultancy via Zoom or Teams. Think of business coaching, nutrition advice, or career guidance. The margins are high with coaching packages.

12. Translation work

Do you speak multiple languages? Translation work is a stable side hustle with consistent work. Specialize in a niche (legal, medical, technical) for higher rates.

13. SEO consultancy

Knowledge of search engine optimization is in high demand. Help businesses rank higher in Google and earn €50–€100+ per hour. Use tools like keyword research to back up your services with data.

14. Graphic design

Using tools like Canva, Figma, or Adobe Creative Suite, you can design logos, social media graphics, and marketing materials for clients. Build a portfolio and find clients through Fiverr, 99designs, or direct outreach.

Content and media side hustles

Creating content can be a very profitable side hustle, although it often takes longer to generate significant income.

15. Blogging

A blog can generate income through ads (Google AdSense), affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. It takes 6–12 months to build organic traffic, but after that, it can provide passive income.

16. YouTube channel

Video content is extremely popular. With a niche channel, you can earn money through ad revenue, sponsorships, and merchandise. Invest in a good camera and microphone for professional quality.

17. Podcast hosting

Podcasts are a growing medium in the Netherlands. Earn through sponsorships, affiliate links, or premium content. The startup costs are limited (microphone + hosting), but building an audience takes time.

18. Creating online courses

Share your knowledge through platforms like Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare. Once created, a course generates passive income. Focus on a niche with proven demand - for example, selling on bol.com.

19. Affiliate marketing

Promote other people's products or services and earn a commission per sale. Combine this with a blog, YouTube channel, or social media. The income is passive, but building traffic takes months.

20. Stock photography

Sell your photos through Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStock. You earn €0.25–€2.00 per download, but with a large portfolio, the income can add up. Invest in a good camera and learn what sells.

Other popular side hustles

21. App development

If you can program, developing apps is a very lucrative side hustle. The startup costs are low (you only need a laptop), but the learning curve is steep. Focus on a specific problem you solve.

22. Data entry and transcription

Simple work you can do from home. The earnings are lower (€10–€20 per hour), but it's low-threshold and you can start immediately through platforms like Clickworker or TranscribeMe.

23. Mystery shopping

Get paid to visit stores and evaluate the service. Earn €10–€30 per assignment plus potential free products. Sign up with agencies like Multisearch or Market Force.

24. Second-hand sales

Buy products cheaply at flea markets, Marktplaats, or thrift stores and sell them for a profit. Popular categories are vintage clothing, books, and electronics. Good training in product research helps a lot.

25. Pet sitting

Through platforms like Petbnb or Pawshake, you can take care of pets and walk them. Ideal if you love animals and want flexible hours. Earn €15–€30 per day for pet sitting or €10–€15 per walk.

How to choose the right side hustle?

With so many options, it can be overwhelming. Use these criteria to make the best choice:

Criteria	Ask yourself	Example
Available time	How many hours per week can you invest?	<5 hours: data entry, mystery shopping. 10+ hours: e-commerce, freelancing
Startup budget	How much can you invest?	€0: freelancing, VA. €500+: e-commerce, own webshop
Skills	What are you already good at?	Writing → freelancing. Creative → graphic design. Analytical → SEO
Income goal	How much extra do you want to earn?	€200/month: low barrier. €2,000+/month: e-commerce or freelancing
Scalability	Do you want it to grow?	Scalable: e-commerce, courses. Not scalable: tutoring, VA
Speed	How quickly do you want to earn?	Immediate: freelancing, VA. Months: blog, YouTube

Starting a side hustle: 5 practical steps

Ready to get started? Follow this step-by-step plan:

Step 1: Choose your side hustle

Use the comparison table above to choose a side hustle that fits your situation. Preferably, choose something you already have experience or interest in.

Step 2: Register with the KvK

For most side hustles in the Netherlands, you need a KvK registration as soon as you earn money structurally. This costs a one-time €75 and gives you a VAT number.

Step 3: Set up your tools

Invest in the right tools for your chosen side hustle. For e-commerce on bol.com, this means a tool like Boloo for product research, listing optimization, and sales tracking.

Step 4: Start small and test

Start with a limited assortment or a small number of customers. Test what works, analyze your results, and optimize. For bol.com sellers: use the Ranking Checker to see how your products are performing.

Step 5: Scale up

Once you have a working formula, invest in growth. Add more products, increase your marketing budget, or automate processes. Tools for automatic invoicing and email campaigns save you hours per week.

Common mistakes when starting a side hustle

Avoid these pitfalls that many beginners make:

• Starting too much at once - focus on one side hustle and become good at it before diversifying
• Not keeping administration - keep track of your income and expenses from the start for tax returns
• Not doing market research - check if there is demand for your product or service before investing
• Giving up too quickly - most side hustles take 2-6 months to become profitable
• Ignoring legal obligations - KvK registration, VAT return, and insurance are important
• Not using tools - manual work is time-consuming. Use tools to automate processes and make data-driven decisions

Taxes and legal aspects

If you start a side hustle in the Netherlands, keep the following in mind:

• KvK registration - required for regular income (one-time €75)
• VAT return - required if your turnover exceeds €20,000 per year (small business scheme)
• Income tax - you add your side hustle income to your main income
• Entrepreneurial allowance - possible if you spend at least 1,225 hours per year on your business
• Liability insurance - consider a professional liability insurance, especially for services

Frequently asked questions about side hustles

Do I need to inform my employer about my side hustle?

Check your employment contract for a clause on secondary employment. Many employers allow side jobs as long as they don't involve competing activities. It's wise to be transparent.

How much can I realistically earn with a side hustle?

This varies greatly. Simple side hustles can earn €100–€500 per month. E-commerce and freelance services can earn €1,000–€5,000+ per month, depending on your time and financial investment.

What side hustle is best suited for a full-time job?

Side hustles with flexible hours are ideal: selling via bol.com (with LVB for shipping), freelance writing, and digital products. Avoid side hustles with fixed appointments if you have limited flexibility.

Do I need a KvK number for a side hustle?

Yes, as soon as you regularly sell products or services with the intention of making a profit. Occasional sales (like selling something on Marktplaats once) are exempt. If in doubt: register - it's only €75 and provides legal protection.

What's the fastest way to start a side hustle?

The fastest way is to offer a service based on your existing skills (freelancing, tutoring, VA). For product sales, selling via bol.com is the fastest route, as you have direct access to millions of customers without your own webshop.