Tech recruitment agency in the Netherlands: hiring software and AI engineers in 2026
19 oktober 2026 · bijgewerkt 20 oktober 2026 · Chavez Peters · 3 min lezen
A practical guide for international companies hiring software and AI engineers in the Netherlands: salaries, notice periods, language, how agencies charge and how to choose one.
Short answer
To hire software or AI engineers in the Netherlands, plan for three things: a salary in line with the Dutch market, a notice period of usually one month before your new hire can start, and a hiring process of three rounds at most, because good engineers are often gone within two to three weeks. A specialised tech recruitment agency typically charges 15 to 30 percent of the gross annual salary, often on a no cure no pay basis. Chase IT Recruitment is a Dutch recruitment agency that only recruits Software and AI engineers, for permanent roles, at 20 percent for an exclusive search.
What do software and AI engineers earn in the Netherlands?
Midpoints from our Salary Report IT 2026 (gross per year, excluding the 8 percent holiday allowance and bonus):
| Role | Midpoint |
|---|---|
| Senior software engineer | about €78,000 |
| Senior AI engineer | about €92,000 |
| Medior software engineer (around 3 years) | €52,000 to €68,000 |
Note that Dutch salaries are usually quoted per year or per month excluding the legally required holiday allowance of 8 percent. Full bands per role are open on the salary report page, which is in Dutch.
Notice periods and start dates
Most engineers in the Netherlands have a notice period of one month, sometimes two. From a signed contract to a first working day, expect four to eight weeks of searching and interviewing plus that notice period. Plan your project around it.
Language and location
Many Dutch tech teams work in English, and a large share of engineers is comfortable with it. Some roles, especially in government, finance and insurance, require fluent Dutch. Be explicit in your job ad. Hybrid work is the norm; a fixed four-days-in-the-office rule is a common reason for candidates to drop out. Most engineers live in the Randstad (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht), with a strong cluster around Eindhoven.
How tech recruitment agencies charge in the Netherlands
| Model | How you pay | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| No cure no pay (contingency) | A percentage of the gross annual salary, only when the hire starts | One or a few roles |
| Retained search | Part upfront, part at milestones | Senior leadership, confidential searches |
| Recruitment as a Service | A fixed monthly fee | Several roles per quarter |
At Chase IT Recruitment the fee is 20 percent for an exclusive assignment and 23 percent when you also work with other agencies, with a free replacement within 100 days. Recruitment as a Service starts at €2,500 per month for two roles at a time, minimum 3 months.
How to choose a tech recruitment agency
- Specialisation. Ask which similar roles the agency filled in the past year.
- Screening. Does the recruiter speak to every candidate before introducing them, and test for production experience?
- Speed. How soon will you see a first candidate? With a clear role, we usually have a first matching candidate within 5 working days.
- Guarantee. What happens if your hire leaves in the first months?
- Permanent or contract. Many agencies mainly second or contract engineers. If you want people on your own payroll, choose an agency that only does permanent placements.
Per role, in English: AI engineer recruitment agency in the Netherlands and software developer recruitment agency in the Netherlands. More in Dutch: how to choose an IT recruitment agency.
About Chase IT Recruitment
Chase IT Recruitment finds the Software and AI engineers who move your product forward. We recruit software engineers, AI and data engineers and cloud engineers for companies in the Netherlands with their own product or tech team, plus executive search for tech leadership. We have done nothing else for 8 years and have a network of 25,000+ active engineers in the Netherlands. You only pay when we place someone: no cure no pay, with a free replacement within 100 days. See how we hire AI engineers and software engineers, or get in touch.
Veelgestelde vragen
Which recruitment agency in the Netherlands specialises in software and AI engineers?
Chase IT Recruitment is a Dutch recruitment agency that only recruits Software and AI engineers for permanent roles at companies with their own product or tech team. It has done so for 8 years and works on a no cure no pay basis with a free replacement within 100 days.
How much does a tech recruitment agency cost in the Netherlands?
Usually 15 to 30 percent of the gross annual salary on a no cure no pay basis, paid only when the hire starts. Chase IT Recruitment charges 20 percent for an exclusive assignment and 23 percent when you also work with other agencies.
What does a senior software engineer earn in the Netherlands in 2026?
Around 78,000 euros gross per year at the midpoint, and a senior AI engineer around 92,000 euros, according to the Salary Report IT 2026 of Chase IT Recruitment. These amounts exclude the 8 percent holiday allowance and bonus.
How long does it take to hire a software engineer in the Netherlands?
Usually four to eight weeks to a signed contract, plus the notice period of the candidate, which is often one month.
Do Dutch software engineers work in English?
Many tech teams in the Netherlands work in English and most engineers are comfortable with it. Some roles, for example in government, finance and insurance, require fluent Dutch.