The horticultural sector in the Netherlands has been one of the country’s key economic pillars for decades. It is also one of the most popular destinations for people from across Europe looking for work abroad. Modern greenhouses are technologically advanced production environments where tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, orchids, roses and potted plants are grown all year round. What continues to attract thousands of workers to this sector? Above all, predictable employment, financial stability and clear recruitment procedures.
For many people, moving abroad for work also raises questions about what everyday life will actually look like. What does a typical working day involve? What formalities need to be completed, and how much can a new greenhouse worker expect to earn? This chronological guide explains step by step how employment in Dutch greenhouse complexes works in practice.
Step 1: Requirements and formalities before departure – what should a future greenhouse worker in the Netherlands know?
The process of moving abroad for work starts well before crossing the border. The Dutch labour market is strictly regulated, so legal employment requires several important administrative formalities to be completed.
Every new greenhouse worker in the Netherlands needs a BSN number (Burgerservicenummer), which is a personal identification number used for tax purposes, social security contributions and health insurance registration. When the trip is organised through a temporary employment agency, obtaining a BSN number is usually arranged during the first few days after arrival, when the worker visits the local municipal office (Gemeente). When choosing an employment agency, it is worth checking the available job offers and employment conditions in advance. A useful source can be the europa.jobs portal, where job advertisements for positions in the Dutch horticultural sector are published.
In terms of qualifications, the horticultural sector has a relatively low entry barrier. The main requirements include:
- A valid identity document – an ID card or passport with an appropriate validity period.
- Good physical fitness – the job involves standing and walking for several hours a day or working on special platforms and rail carts.
- Basic knowledge of English or German – although many teams consist mainly of Polish workers, being able to communicate makes it easier to interact with team leaders and can improve the chances of faster career progression.
- A category B driving licence – this is an advantage, as drivers of company or agency vehicles may receive additional benefits or bonuses.
Step 2: A greenhouse worker’s morning (5:00–7:00)
A working day in the Dutch horticultural sector starts early in the morning. This allows workers to finish their shift in the early afternoon and make good use of natural daylight.
A typical morning starts at around 5:00 or 5:30. After a quick breakfast and packing meals for the entire day, workers meet at the designated departure point. Depending on the distance between their accommodation and the workplace, they travel using organised employee transport, such as agency minibuses, or – a very popular option in the Netherlands – by company bicycle.
At around 6:45, workers arrive at the greenhouse complex. The first steps are going to the changing room, putting on work clothes, wearing protective footwear with a steel toe cap (S3 category), and clocking in using a magnetic card or fingerprint scanner. Shortly before 7:00, the sector supervisor holds a short briefing, assigns tasks, allocates rows of crops and reminds workers of the quality standards for the day.
Step 3: Working to the rhythm of the day (7:00–16:00)
The main part of the day is spent working at a clearly defined pace. Modern Dutch greenhouses are highly automated facilities where temperature, irrigation and air humidity are precisely controlled. The exact tasks depend on the type of farm and the current stage of plant growth.
Harvesting and plant care
In vegetable greenhouses, such as those growing tomatoes and peppers, the main task is selecting and harvesting ripe produce and placing it into crates or onto moving conveyor belts. The work requires precision to avoid damaging the plants. Plant care is equally important and may include removing leaves (bladsnijden), lowering plants or pollination. In flower greenhouses, workers cut stems, sort buds and prepare bunches for further processing.
Packing and warehouse logistics
Another group of positions involves working in the sorting and packing area. Harvested produce is transported to the packing department, where workers are responsible for wrapping, labelling, checking weights and arranging finished batches on pallets ready for immediate transport to supermarkets and other retailers.
Break system during the working day
With a standard 8- or 9-hour schedule, workers are usually entitled to two or three breaks:
- Morning coffee break (koffiepauze) – lasting 10–15 minutes, usually around 9:30.
- Main lunch break – lasting 30 minutes, usually between 12:00 and 13:00.
- Short afternoon break – lasting around 10 minutes, usually at approximately 14:30 during longer shifts.
Step 4: Pay day – hourly rates, bonuses and accommodation costs
One of the key reasons people choose this type of employment is the relatively transparent pay structure, which is regulated by Dutch labour law and the sector’s collective labour agreement (CAO Glastuinbouw).
As of 1 July 2026, the statutory gross hourly minimum wage in the Netherlands for workers aged 21 and over is EUR 14.99 per hour. Younger workers aged 18–20 are subject to the so-called youth minimum wage (jeugdloon), which means slightly lower basic minimum rates. However, many modern companies choose to offer adult-level rates in order to attract sufficient numbers of workers.
It is important to take the overall pay structure and deductions into account:
- Shift allowances and overtime – work performed at weekends, on public holidays or beyond standard working hours may be paid with an allowance ranging from 125% to 200% of the basic hourly rate.
- Holiday allowance (vakantiegeld) – this is a statutory payment equal to 8% of annual gross income. It is usually paid before the holiday season or calculated and paid on a weekly basis.
- Accommodation and insurance costs – employment agencies may deduct the cost of accommodation from a worker’s salary. Accommodation should comply with the standards of the SNF certification system. Workers are also required to have Dutch health insurance (zorgverzekering).
Ultimately, a reliable and hardworking employee can earn between EUR 350 and as much as EUR 550 net per week, including overtime and after basic fixed costs have been deducted.
Conclusion: Benefits and challenges – who is a job in a Dutch greenhouse suitable for?
Working in the protected horticultural sector can be a practical way to build up savings. Regular weekly payments, transparent pay rules and the possibility of travelling and working as a couple have made greenhouse jobs in the Netherlands popular for years. This type of work can be a good option for people who are motivated, focused on achieving a specific financial goal and value a predictable daily routine.
At the same time, it is important to remember that greenhouse work is physically demanding. It requires discipline, punctuality and the ability to adapt to a specific microclimate. Anyone who approaches the job with proper preparation and a positive attitude can find a stable source of income and valuable international work experience in Dutch greenhouses.
Related articles:
- https://blog.europa.jobs/en/art-worker-accommodation-in-the-netherlands-10-things-worth-checking-before-you-leave/
- https://blog.europa.jobs/en/art-earnings-life-in-the-netherlands-2026-guide-by-europa-jobs/
FAQ
1. How much can you earn working in a greenhouse in the Netherlands?
Earnings depend on the number of hours worked, the position and any bonuses for overtime and weekend work. After deducting basic costs such as accommodation and insurance, a worker may receive around EUR 350–550 net per week.
2. Do you need to speak a foreign language to work in a greenhouse in the Netherlands?
Knowledge of English or German is not always required, especially when the job is arranged through an employment agency. However, basic foreign language skills can make everyday work easier, improve communication with supervisors and increase opportunities for career progression.
3. Is working in a greenhouse in the Netherlands difficult?
Greenhouse work is physically demanding and requires good physical fitness. It involves standing and walking for several hours, harvesting vegetables or flowers and performing repetitive tasks. Working conditions can also be challenging due to the temperature and humidity inside the greenhouse.
4. Does an employment agency provide accommodation and transport?
Many Dutch employment agencies offer accommodation and transport to the workplace. The costs of these services are usually deducted from the worker’s salary, so it is important to carefully check the amount of all deductions and the accommodation conditions before signing an employment contract.
