Pension in the Netherlands for workers

27.08.26

Pension in the Netherlands for EU workers: 5 useful things to know

Even if retirement seems far away, it is good to know a few things

Many people say: “There is still a long time until retirement.”

That is true. But every month worked legally in the Netherlands counts for your future — as DB Work professionals themselves say. You do not need to do anything special to contribute to your pension in the Netherlands as a worker in this country. Everything is done automatically if you have a legal employment contract.

That is why it is good to know a few simple things that may be useful to you years from now. It is also a good idea to calculate in advance your pension money for the years worked abroad.

1. If you work legally, you contribute to your pension in the Netherlands as a worker

When you have a legal employment contract in the Netherlands, part of the mandatory contributions goes to the pension system.

These contributions are registered under your name, using your BSN, the personal number in the Netherlands, and they are not lost if, at some point, you return to your country.

A useful tip is to keep your payslips, called loonstrook, and the annual document called jaaropgave. They may be useful to you later.

2. If you have worked in several European Union countries, the years are taken into account

Many professionals have worked in several countries over time.

If you worked for a few years in your home country and then in the Netherlands, the periods worked are taken into account when you retire, according to European Union rules.

This means that the years worked legally are not lost.

3. You can check your contributions at any time

In the Netherlands, there is an official platform where you can see the status of your pension contributions.

The website is called Mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl and you can access it using your DigiD account.

There you can check:

  • how many years you have contributed;
  • which pension funds you have contributed to;
  • an estimate of the pension you may receive in the future.

It is enough to check this information once a year.

4. Keep your important documents

It may seem like a simple thing, but it is very important.

Keep:

  • your payslips;
  • your annual documents, jaaropgave;
  • your DB Work employment contracts.

These documents may be useful if, years from now, you need to prove the periods you worked.

5. Why it is good to work legally

When you work legally through a recruitment agency such as DB Work, you have the assurance that all mandatory contributions are paid according to Dutch legislation.

In addition to your salary, you also benefit from the rights offered by a legal employment contract, including those related to your pension in the Netherlands as a worker.

Maybe today you are not thinking about this, but years from now you will appreciate that you worked legally and that every period of work was registered.

Frequently asked questions

If I work only a few years in the Netherlands, will I still receive a pension?

Yes. Even a few years worked legally count and will be taken into account when you retire.

If I return permanently to my country, do I lose my contributions?

No. Your contributions remain registered under your name and will be taken into account according to European legislation.

How do I check my contributions?

On the official platform Mijnpensioenoverzicht.nl, using your DigiD account.

Does DB Work contribute to my pension?

Yes. If you work through DB Work with a legal employment contract, the mandatory contributions are paid according to Dutch legislation.

Think about the future too

Retirement may seem like a distant topic, but every month worked legally in the Netherlands counts. If you choose to work through DB Work, you benefit from a legal contract and all contributions required by law, so that the work you do today can bring you benefits many years from now.

 

WHAT BENEFITS DOES DB WORK OFFER WHEN YOU START WORKING IN THE NETHERLANDS?

  • Accommodation with everything you need for a comfortable living;
  • Local transport provided with DB Work company vehicles;
  • Work equipment and protective gear;
  • Health insurance included;
  • Support throughout the entire contract period;
  • Access to guides with complete information about living in the Netherlands;
  • Access to the Plan4Flex application, where you receive real-time information.