What's in a working-student contract? Less that's special than you'd think, which is exactly why it's worth knowing the questions to ask before you sign, or have someone sign. Below: what the sources say about the employment contract and what should be in it.
There's no separate “working-student contract”
Dutch employment law has no separate contract type “working student”, unlike an internship agreement. A working student is an employee if the features of an employment contract are met: work under authority, pay and personal performance [1]. The word does appear in other schemes, for example in UWV's work permit rules for students from outside the EEA [2]. The basic rights are those of any employee, such as the minimum wage [3] and holiday: at least 8% holiday pay and, per year, four times the hours you work in a week [4]. The contract is usually fixed-term with a set number of hours a week.
Is a working student the same as an on-call worker?
No, it doesn't have to be. With a zero-hours contract no hours are agreed and the employer only pays for the hours you work; according to the Dutch government that arrangement only applies to the first 6 months. The employer must call you in at least 4 days in advance and you're entitled to at least 3 hours' pay per call [5]. From 1 January 2028, on-call contracts are replaced by a bandwidth contract, with an exception for side jobs of, among others, pupils and students [6]. For structural work, a fixed number of hours a week fits better: you know what to expect, with room to adjust it temporarily around exams.
Hours and flexibility should be spelled out
The work runs alongside a study programme, so the number of hours a week and the room to adjust them around exams is exactly where most confusion arises. A good agreement states a fixed number of hours or a range, and sets out how schedule changes around exam weeks get agreed, instead of leaving it at “we'll figure it out”.
Pay and allowances, in writing
The hourly rate and how and when it's paid belong in the contract, just like in any other employment agreement. The salary is at least the statutory minimum wage: as of 1 July 2026 € 14.99 gross per hour from age 21 [3]. A travel allowance is not mandatory by law unless a collective agreement, the contract or a policy provides for it [7]. So ask about it and have it put in writing.
Duration, probation and notice period
A probation period must be agreed in writing and, for a fixed-term contract of longer than six months but shorter than two years, may last at most one month; for a contract of at most six months no probation period may be agreed [8]. A fixed-term contract ends on the end date; early termination is only possible if that was agreed in writing [9]. For a contract of six months or longer, the employer must tell you in writing, at the latest one month before the end, whether it will be continued [10]. After more than three fixed-term contracts, or if those contracts together (gaps of at most six months included) cover more than 36 months, the last contract counts as permanent [11].
Checklist: what should be in it at a minimum?
- A fixed number of hours a week or a clear range
- How schedule changes around exams and project weeks get agreed
- The hourly rate, payment method and any travel allowance
- The contract duration, the probation period and the notice period or early termination clause
- Who your point of contact is for questions about hours, leave or guidance
- Details the employer must give you in writing within one week and one month of starting, such as job, hours, salary, holiday allowance and notice period [1]
Why it matters, even for a “side job”
A good agreement doesn't only protect the working student; it also prevents misunderstandings for the company. Clear agreements on hours, pay and flexibility mean both sides know where they stand. So go through the checklist before you sign, and ask what's missing.
Sources
- Rijksoverheid: Wat staat er in een arbeidsovereenkomst?, accessed 11 October 2026.
- UWV: Werkvergunning werkstudent, accessed 11 October 2026.
- Rijksoverheid (2026): Bedragen minimumloon 2026, accessed 11 October 2026.
- Rijksoverheid: Ik heb een nulurencontract. Heb ik recht op vakantiedagen en vakantiegeld? (vakantie-uren: 4 keer de uren per week, vakantiegeld minimaal 8%), accessed 11 October 2026.
- Rijksoverheid: Welke contracten zijn er voor oproepkrachten?, accessed 11 October 2026.
- Rijksoverheid (2026): Meer zekerheid voor mensen met een flexcontract, accessed 11 October 2026.
- Ondernemersplein (Rijksoverheid): Reiskostenvergoeding betalen aan werknemers, accessed 11 October 2026.
- wetten.overheid.nl: Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7, artikel 652 (proeftijd), geldend per 1 juli 2026, accessed 11 October 2026.
- wetten.overheid.nl: Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7, artikel 667, geldend per 1 juli 2026, accessed 11 October 2026.
- wetten.overheid.nl: Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7, artikel 668 (aanzegplicht), geldend per 1 juli 2026, accessed 11 October 2026.
- wetten.overheid.nl: Burgerlijk Wetboek Boek 7, artikel 668a (ketenregeling), geldend per 1 juli 2026, accessed 11 October 2026.
