HR Consulting for Startups in Europe
HR for European startup companies

Hiring Your First Employee in Europe

HR for European startup companies

Looking for HR solutions for startups? Looking to bring your first employee on board? An HR consultant for startups can help you understand the legal & tax requirements of hiring staff in Europe so you don’t hit any rough waters down the line.

Are you a start-up and looking for answers on:

  • Legal requirements?
  • How to recruit and hire your first employee?
  • Benefits & insurance planning & maintenance?
  • Set up of payroll services?

Europe HR Solutions offers consulting for startups that can provide you with answers and guidance as you start, build, and grow your business.

Recruit personnel initially in the EEA:

You are obliged to recruit personnel initially in the European Economic Area (EEA) and/or Switzerland. Only if you prove that you cannot find suitable personnel here, you will be permitted to recruit from other countries.

Verify and register the identity of your employees

You are obliged to verify the identity of all workers on the basis of an original identity document when they join your company. You must keep a copy of the identity documents in your records.

Apply for a work permit (if needed)

If you employ someone who is not from the EEA or Switzerland or who comes from Romania or Bulgaria, you must apply for a work permit from the Public Employment Service.

Register as an employer with the Tax Administration

If you are employing personnel for the first time, you must register as an employer with the Tax and Customs Administration. You will then receive the necessary forms to meet your payroll tax obligations.

Ask your employees for a tax and social insurance number

Foreign employees who do not have a citizen service number must provide you with a tax and social insurance number. They themselves must apply to the Tax and Customs Administration for this number.

Enter into a contract of employment

In a contract of employment, you specify the employee’s salary, indicate whether a Collective Labour Agreement applies, outline working hours and rest times, and indicate whether you arrange an employee pension scheme.

Pay at least the minimum wage and holiday allowance

Everyone working in the Netherlands is entitled to the statutory minimum wage and a holiday allowance. This also applies to temporary workers, flex workers and foreign personnel.

Provide healthy and safe working conditions

As an employer, you must ensure a healthy and safe workplace for all your personnel. The Labor Inspectorate or your sector organization can provide you with information about the rules.

Draw up a risk inventory and evaluation

Once you employ personnel, you are obliged to draw up a risk inventory and evaluation (RI&E) in which you state the risks faced by personnel and the measures you have in place to address these risks.

Check whether you are required to deduct social insurance premiums

You must deduct social insurance premiums for employees who work permanently in the Netherlands. You can choose to become a self-insurer for the occupational disability insurance scheme.

Obligations regarding reporting and documentation

Regular statistical reporting duties related to employment; Special obligation regarding information and documentation; Obligation to maintain a personal register; Obligation to inform employees of the conditions applicable to the contract or employment relationship

Obligations in case of a dismissal

Regular obligation to justify dismissal; Obligation to pay compensation in case of a dismissal for economic reasons; Observation of a specified notification period for the dismissal during the probationary period

Other obligations part of employment handbooks

Special obligations regarding the calculation and registration of the working time (in addition to what is necessary for business reasons); Special obligations regarding the calculation and registration of holidays; Obligation to join a certain organization / association when becoming an employer.

Related HR eBook
Download this free human resources E-Book
E-Book Startup
European Start-up
This E-Book is about the HR guidelines for a Startup in Europe.

    Download this file

    Please enter your name and email address and agree to receiving information from us. We will send a link to your email for downloading the file. We will not abuse your personal information.

    Q

    HR Brochure
    Download our brochure

    Europe HR Solutions Brochure

    Our Brochure
    Learn more about the services offered by Europe HR Solutions.

      Download this file

      Please enter your name and email address and agree to receiving information from us. We will send a link to your email for downloading the file. We will not abuse your personal information.

      Q

      Specify your topic

      Contact us for a
      Free Consultation

      Europe-HR-Solutions offers International and European HR expertise to small and mid-sized companies looking to outsource their Human Resources services, start or expand their current business and organization in Europe.

      Consider this… 

      • Are you a small to mid-size company?
      • Looking to start up, expand your business in Europe?
      • Looking to set up your international payroll administration?
      • Are you looking for one company to solve your recruitment, selection, retention, improve your business performance?
      • Are you in need of a fully outsourced HR & Payroll Business PartnerService for Europe?

        Europe HR Solutions Brochure

        Our Brochure
        Learn more about the services offered by Europe HR Solutions.

          Download this file

          Please enter your name and email address and agree to receiving information from us. We will send a link to your email for downloading the file. We will not abuse your personal information.

          Q

          Success stories & testimonials

          Explore real success stories from companies that have scaled across Europe with HR audits, HR consulting, and HR outsourcing, proving that HR compliance can drive growth.

          Scott Rude
          Europe HR Solutions are talented, experienced and creative professionals. When we needed expertise in the European market for our personnel needs we experienced exceptional service and insight from them. They know the market and have the resources/network to get answers to the tough issues facing a U.S. company ...
          Read more
          Scott Rude
          Europe HR Solutions are talented, experienced and creative professionals. When we needed expertise in the European market for our personnel needs we experienced exceptional service and insight from them. They know the market and have the resources/network to get answers to the tough issues facing a U.S. company like ours, who does not have a core competency in Europe. Europe HR Solutions has my highest respect and appreciation for their service to our company. I would be glad to provide insight on their skills at any time. Scott Rudi, snrude@yahoo.com
          John Hardin
          Europe HR Solutions are exceptional Human Resources professionals and fully understand the nuance and complexity of creating employment contracts in the various EU geographies. They also have a keen eye for talent, particularly for startups, and have been extremely helpful in identifying quality hires. I highly recommend them for HR ...
          Read more
          John Hardin
          Europe HR Solutions are exceptional Human Resources professionals and fully understand the nuance and complexity of creating employment contracts in the various EU geographies. They also have a keen eye for talent, particularly for startups, and have been extremely helpful in identifying quality hires. I highly recommend them for HR consultation to any executive building an organization in Europe.
          Jess Clark
          It is a pleasure working with Inez; she and her team of experts are incredibly knowledgeable and professional. I can contact her and feel confident in knowing that I will receive accurate guidance.
          Jess Clark
          It is a pleasure working with Inez; she and her team of experts are incredibly knowledgeable and professional. I can contact her and feel confident in knowing that I will receive accurate guidance.
          Jess Clark
          Jess Clark
          Chantelle Hilleard
          As a dynamic organization with a significant footprint across Europe, managing HR compliance and legal requirements across multiple countries is a key aspect of our operations. Partnering with Europe HR Solutions has been a transformative experience, and we are immensely grateful for their support. Europe HR Solutions has been instrumental ...
          Read more
          Chantelle Hilleard
          As a dynamic organization with a significant footprint across Europe, managing HR compliance and legal requirements across multiple countries is a key aspect of our operations. Partnering with Europe HR Solutions has been a transformative experience, and we are immensely grateful for their support. Europe HR Solutions has been instrumental as our Pan-European HR compliance and legal partner. Their expertise and proactive approach have been essential in navigating a variety of change initiatives and day-to-day operations. They have expertly guided us through diverse local regulations and intricate legal landscapes with a high level of professionalism and dedication. The tailored solutions and strategic advice from Europe HR Solutions have been crucial in ensuring our operations are both compliant and agile across all regions. Their seamless integration into our projects and their flexibility in addressing our evolving needs have made them an invaluable partner in our journey. I highly recommend Europe HR Solutions to any organization seeking reliable, comprehensive, and expert HR compliance and legal support across Europe.
          Chantelle Hilleard
          Chantelle Hilleard
          Paul Grafham
          Europe HR Solutions has consistently delivered high quality work in all of the projects that she has been involved in. The professional approach that they display is combined with a very personable manner, which has helped integrate them into the AngioDynamics team, and their expertise has assisted significantly in the ...
          Read more
          Paul Grafham
          Europe HR Solutions has consistently delivered high quality work in all of the projects that she has been involved in. The professional approach that they display is combined with a very personable manner, which has helped integrate them into the AngioDynamics team, and their expertise has assisted significantly in the growth of the international business. I would not hesitate to recommend Europe HR Solutions and the consultancy services offered, and believe they would be an asset to any organisation.
          Ann Beckers
          Since a few months, Inez coaches me in creating my own vision, my purpose and my goals, as well in my professional, as in my personal life. As a result, I feel much more confident, focused and relaxed. I have learned to know Inez as a very special person. She ...
          Read more
          Ann Beckers
          Since a few months, Inez coaches me in creating my own vision, my purpose and my goals, as well in my professional, as in my personal life. As a result, I feel much more confident, focused and relaxed. I have learned to know Inez as a very special person. She is one of those rare people who have the extraordinary gift of being a good listener. Do not expect abstract discussions about your career or your future. You can expect immediate results of a dedicated professional coach, who will support you to focus on the challenges and the goals that are really important to you.
          Rebecca Richardson
          I had the pleasure of working with Inez Vermeulen and her exceptional team at Europe HR Solutions, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Over the course of several projects, I collaborated with many team members, and every single one of them exhibited a high level of professionalism, expertise, and ...
          Read more
          Rebecca Richardson
          I had the pleasure of working with Inez Vermeulen and her exceptional team at Europe HR Solutions, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Over the course of several projects, I collaborated with many team members, and every single one of them exhibited a high level of professionalism, expertise, and approachability. From the outset, Inez and her team demonstrated an impressive depth of knowledge in HR solutions, which was instrumental in helping me achieve my project goals. Their commitment to delivering high-quality work is evident in every interaction, and they consistently go above and beyond to ensure the success of their clients. One of the standout qualities of Europe HR Solutions is their approachability. No matter the complexity of the issue, I always felt comfortable reaching out to any team member. Their willingness to listen, provide insightful feedback, and offer practical solutions has been invaluable. This approach fosters a collaborative environment that makes working with them both productive and enjoyable. The dedication of Inez and her team to their clients' success is unparalleled. Their proactive approach and unwavering support have been crucial in navigating the challenges of various projects. I have been consistently impressed by their ability to deliver results on time and with the highest standard of quality. Without hesitation, I would work with Inez Vermeulen and her team at Europe HR Solutions again. Their expertise, combined with their friendly and supportive nature, makes them an outstanding choice for any HR needs. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable and knowledgeable HR partner.
          Rebecca Richardson
          Rebecca Richardson
          Ignasi Vivas
          I had the pleasure of working with Inez at different levels at American Medical Systems. Inez was able to provide us a Strategic view of what Human Resources can provide to an organization by being a true partner. With her as a leader, we were able to build processes as ...
          Read more
          Ignasi Vivas
          I had the pleasure of working with Inez at different levels at American Medical Systems. Inez was able to provide us a Strategic view of what Human Resources can provide to an organization by being a true partner. With her as a leader, we were able to build processes as well as development plans, that helped us to move from a small to a mid size company. She guided us to always focuse on people, which lead us to become a stronger and bigger organization.
          Katie Rink
          Inez and her team at Europe HR Solutions are a delight to work with. I first met Inez back in 2015, and at that time, she helped me navigate hiring my Company’s 1st employee in the Netherlands. In 2024, I found myself in a similar...
          Read more
          Katie Rink
          Inez and her team at Europe HR Solutions are a delight to work with. I first met Inez back in 2015, and at that time, she helped me navigate hiring my Company’s 1st employee in the Netherlands. In 2024, I found myself in a similar situation, and once again, I needed guidance to help navigate employment law, this time in France and Germany. Inez was quick to respond, easy to schedule time with, and she did a fabulous job listening/learning about my Company’s current state and our need. Quickly, she connected me with the country specific consultants from her team, who were both personable and knowledgeable, and I look forward to the next time I get to reach out to them again. Inez and her team are amazing resources that I am lucky to have as part of my network.
          Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
          I'm thrilled to recommend HR Europe Solutions for their outstanding international employment law advice services. My experiences with their teams in France, the Netherlands, and Germany have been fantastic, and I'm confident their expertise will be a huge asset to anyone needing comprehensive legal guidance on a global scale. Navigating ...
          Read more
          Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
          I'm thrilled to recommend HR Europe Solutions for their outstanding international employment law advice services. My experiences with their teams in France, the Netherlands, and Germany have been fantastic, and I'm confident their expertise will be a huge asset to anyone needing comprehensive legal guidance on a global scale. Navigating the complexities of international employment law can be daunting, but HR Europe Solutions made it smooth and manageable. Their ability to offer tailored advice that considers the specific legal contexts of multiple countries has been incredibly valuable. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend HR Europe Solutions to anyone seeking expert international employment law advice. Their deep expertise, exceptional communication, and client-focused approach make them a standout service provider in this field.
          Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
          Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy

          Resources to help you stay compliant and grow

          Your compliance challenges are unique, and so are the solutions we share. Explore curated insights designed to help your business thrive across Europe and stay on top of the latest news and updates in international HR.