VBAR submitted to the House of Representatives before summer recess!

On Monday, 7 July 2025, the Minister of Social Affairs and Employment, Eddy van Hijum, submitted the legislative proposal Clarification of Employment Relationship Assessment and Legal Presumption (VBAR) to the House of Representatives.

This proposal (amended following the Uber ruling) clarifies the criteria used to determine when someone is working as an employee versus as a self-employed person. Additionally, it introduces a new legal presumption: if a self-employed worker earns less than €36 per hour (adjusted annually based on the minimum wage), it will be presumed that an employment contract exists. In such cases, the self-employed worker is entitled to the same rights as an employee, such as maternity and sick leave, dismissal protection, and unemployment benefits.

The proposal is intended to come into effect on 1 July 2026, without any transitional arrangements. Approval by both the House of Representatives and the Senate is required before the proposal can take effect.

For more information on the proposal (in Dutch):
https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/actueel/nieuws/2025/07/07/wetsvoorstel-voor-meer-duidelijkheid-zzpers-en-sterkere-positie-laagbetaalde-schijnzelfstandigen-naar-de-kamer