Netherlands · Salary
Dentist salary in the Netherlands
Dentists in the Netherlands earn well above the national average. Whether you work employed or as a self-employed (ZZP) tandarts has the biggest impact on your take-home pay. Here is what to expect.
Step by step
How it works
Employed dentists
Gross salary typically €70,000–€110,000 per year for 32–36 hours/week. Benefits include holiday pay, pension contributions, and paid leave.
Self-employed (ZZP)
ZZP dentists usually earn 30–35% of clinic turnover. Common ranges are €120,000–€200,000+ per year before tax, depending on hours, specialty, and city.
Specialists
Orthodontists, endodontists, and oral surgeons command higher rates — often €200,000–€350,000+ as ZZP.
What you keep
Effective tax rate is roughly 35–45% depending on income and structure. The 30% ruling can apply to international hires and significantly increases net pay.
Founder
Julius Segersteen
Swedish dentist · Practising in NL since 2015
Guidance from a dentist who understands both sides of the move.
I started DentistBridge because I know how confusing it can feel to move abroad, register correctly and choose the right clinic. As a Swedish-trained dentist, clinic owner in the Netherlands and registered dentist in Belgium, I help European dentists make safer career decisions.
Founded by a dentist
Built and run by Julius Segersteen, a Swedish dentist practicing in the Netherlands since 2015.
Personal relocation experience
We understand the move first-hand — registration, housing, banking, language and cultural expectations.
BIG & RIZIV/INAMI guidance
Step-by-step support with Dutch BIG and Belgian RIZIV/INAMI registration routes.
Clinic matching
We match dentists with trusted clinics based on language, experience, goals and working style.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 30% ruling available to dentists?
- Yes, if you are hired from abroad, meet the salary norm, and lived more than 150km from the Dutch border for most of the previous 24 months. It allows 30% of gross salary tax-free for up to 5 years.
- Employed or ZZP — which is better?
- ZZP usually pays more but you carry insurance, pension, and admin yourself. Employed gives security and benefits. See our full comparison.
- Do dentists pay for the chair?
- ZZP dentists typically share a percentage of turnover with the clinic (covering chair, materials, assistant). Employed dentists do not.
- Does location affect salary?
- Yes. Smaller cities and rural areas often pay more per hour to attract dentists, while Amsterdam/Utrecht clinics may pay slightly less but offer more case variety.
Next steps
What to do next
Related guides
Continue reading
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