There's a huge gap between how many hours students work and how many the law allows. Working higher-education students had an average usual working time of 18.7 hours a week in the third quarter of 2023 [1], and in 2024 almost two thirds of working young people in education (aged 15 to 27) worked up to 20 hours a week [2]. The statutory maximum under the Working Hours Act is considerably higher.
What's the legal maximum number of working hours per week?
According to the Dutch government you may work at most 12 hours per shift and at most 60 hours per week. Over a period of 4 weeks you may work 55 hours a week on average, and over 16 weeks an average of at most 48 hours a week. A collective agreement or company policy may deviate, but you may never work more than 60 hours a week [3]. The Working Hours Act applies to employees aged 18 and over and also to interns, temp workers and seconded staff [4].
Do stricter rules apply to employees under 18?
Yes. Separate rules apply to people under 18, so that they get enough rest and don't do heavy work [4]. Most working students are 18 or older; if you're younger, read the rules at the Dutch government's website.
Does that mean a working student may work 48 hours a week?
Legally a lot is possible, but that's not what the working-student model is for. The statutory maximum is an upper limit for employees, not a guideline for what's sensible alongside a degree. In practice students' hours are far lower: on average about 18.7 hours a week [1]. Choose hours that leave room for lectures, exams and academic progress.
Can a collective agreement set different rules?
Yes. The Dutch government notes that a collective agreement may contain deviating rules, for example on breaks and on-call duties [4]. So check not just the Working Hours Act but also whether a collective agreement applies to the sector you work in.
What happens if you're structurally working more hours than agreed?
If you have several jobs, the Working Hours Act applies to all your work together: you add up the working times [4]. Consistently working more hours than your contract states needn't be a legal problem within those limits, but it is a signal that your role has grown in scope. Time to discuss whether your contract, pay and study balance still match.
How does VOIDS deal with hours?
The legal maximum isn't a target. At VOIDS, working students typically work 4 to 24 hours a week, and starters 40. For each role we look at whether the hours can be combined with a degree.
Sources
- CBS (2023): Scholieren voortgezet onderwijs werkten derde kwartaal 11 uur per week (met tabellen gebruikelijke arbeidsduur en top 3 beroepen), accessed 11 October 2026.
- CBS (2025): Werk: Jaarrapport Landelijke Jeugdmonitor 2025, accessed 11 October 2026.
- Rijksoverheid: Wat zijn de wettelijke regels voor mijn werktijden en rusttijden?, accessed 11 October 2026.
- Rijksoverheid: Wat staat er in de Arbeidstijdenwet over mijn werktijden?, accessed 11 October 2026.
Transparency: VOIDS connects working students with organisations and therefore has an interest in this topic. We back up facts with sources and connect research and trends to our own experience from practice.
