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

      Our Client Testimonials

      We are proud to have worked with numerous UK- and US-based businesses as they have started their operations in Europe, including startups, acquisitions, and expansions.

      Here is what some of them have to say:

      Juanita Hendrickson
      Europe HR Solutions has an excellent team of experts and/or front-line resources who have deep expertise across Europe. We ...
      Read more
      Juanita Hendrickson
      Europe HR Solutions has an excellent team of experts and/or front-line resources who have deep expertise across Europe. We successfully utilized many of the resources on this team to help us sort through a number of complex issues in The Netherlands, Germany, UK, Belgium, etc. Inez and her team are agile, speedy, and pragmatic in their HR approach and quickly became trusted advisors and partners with our Epredia HR team and managers.
      Juanita Hendrickson
      Juanita Hendrickson
      Gloria Aznar
      Thanks to Inez, I have gained more insight into how I can achieve my goals. She penetrates directly into the ...
      Read more
      Gloria Aznar
      Thanks to Inez, I have gained more insight into how I can achieve my goals. She penetrates directly into the heart of the matter and she will help you out in finding the solution for your challenge. Inez has taught me to look at my challenges from another perspective. She thinks with you and offers a framework to explore and to achieve your true desires. She supports you in discovering your own potential through making you aware of your inner dimensions. She is pleasant, professional and asks critical questions. Through the transformative coaching process, I have learned several techniques on how to further explore and discover my potential. This coaching process has transformed me in such a way that I feel more confident and peaceful to reach my goals, pledges and purpose.
      Melanie Girardin
      Europe HR Solutons is my go to organization for anything related to employment matters in the Dutch market. They are ...
      Read more
      Melanie Girardin
      Europe HR Solutons is my go to organization for anything related to employment matters in the Dutch market. They are one of the most talented and efficient HR professionals I've ever met. This is a great pleasure to work with them. They are creative problem solvers, and trustworthy Advisors. Their recommendations are well thought out and clearly articulated. I give them my highest recommendation, without reservation.
      Hanna Czarnecka-Nagy
      I'm thrilled to recommend HR Europe Solutions for their outstanding international employment law advice services. My experiences with their teams ...
      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
      Paul Grafham
      Europe HR Solutions has consistently delivered high quality work in all of the projects that she has been involved in. ...
      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.
      Rebecca Richardson
      I had the pleasure of working with Inez Vermeulen and her exceptional team at Europe HR Solutions, and I cannot ...
      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
      Christos Kartalis
      Europe HR Solutions was main HR/Legal lead for a major restructuring in Europe in 2006. Amazing cross/dept/areas knowledge, ...
      Read more
      Christos Kartalis
      Europe HR Solutions was main HR/Legal lead for a major restructuring in Europe in 2006. Amazing cross/dept/areas knowledge, keenly results oriented, jelled with the team with decisive (especially for a "consultant") and highly accountable attitude. Europe HR Solutions are a amazing professionals, making things "easier" for management. I would work with them at any given next opportunity and would recommend them with out any reservations. Christos Kartalis. CEO, Int'l CIPLA.
      John Hardin
      Europe HR Solutions are exceptional Human Resources professionals and fully understand the nuance and complexity of creating employment contracts in ...
      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.
      Christina Lambourne
      Europe HR Solutions have been vital to the HR journey of our business. To begin with we had two...
      Read more
      Christina Lambourne
      Europe HR Solutions have been vital to the HR journey of our business. To begin with we had two small acquired businesses and one newly founded company which all needed some structure and a lot of knowledge as a good foundation. Inez’ team in UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands have been hugely supportive and were fundamental to put in place the solid policies and the processes we now have in place. Their highly professional approach in combination with true empathy and flexibility was a breath of fresh air. We had a true partnership for over 18 months now and know we can rely on the team in day to day as well as critical and more challenging situations. Europe HR Solutions have supported us with recruitment, general HR advisory, policies, TUPE, Coaching, redundancies, and everything in between. As the CFO for the business, I’m eternally grateful for all the very practical and human support I have received to date and look forward to continuing this relationship.
      Elke Taylor
      Europe HR Solutions delivered employee handbooks for multiple countries in English and also local language. They provided local expertise for ...
      Read more
      Elke Taylor
      Europe HR Solutions delivered employee handbooks for multiple countries in English and also local language. They provided local expertise for those countries and were able to answer the multiple questions from the business and employees. Their responsiveness, quality of expertise & knowledge, output on deliverables was excellent therefore I have already worked with them on further projects and hope to do so in the future again.
      Check out our testimonials page to hear from more of our happy and satisfied clients! 

      Why choose Europe HR Solutions?

      Speed
      Our HR services professionals can start immediately and send answers to your needs within 24 hours or less.

      Immediately Operational & High Quality
      Our human resources consultants in Europe have many years of expertise. Our team will be able to help you immediately with your questions and projects.

      Flexibility
      We are HR experts who serve on an ad hoc basis, interim basis, project and retainer basis from a few weeks, months up to several years.

      Articles
      Read more in our resources section

      Understanding HR Operations: Roles, Responsibilities and Goals

      Understanding HR Operations: Roles, Responsibilities and Goals

      Human Resources (HR) operations form the backbone of any organization, ensuring that the workforce is effectively managed, compliant with regulations, and aligned with the company’s strategic goals. Understanding the intricacies of HR operations, including the roles,...

      Expanding in the EU with PEO: Strategic Insights

      Expanding in the EU with PEO: Strategic Insights

      Expanding into the European Union (EU) presents a wealth of opportunities for businesses looking to grow their market presence and tap into a diverse talent pool. However, navigating the complexities of European labor laws, diverse cultures, and regulatory...

      The Crucial role of HR in Managing Crises and Conflicts

      The Crucial role of HR in Managing Crises and Conflicts

      In times of crisis, whether it’s a global pandemic, economic downturn, natural disaster, or any unforeseen event, the role of Human Resources (HR) becomes pivotal in steering organizations through turbulent times. HR professionals are tasked with maintaining workforce...