While the notification rules are strict, Dutch law provides specific exemptions for certain short-term activities. Conducting business meetings or signing contracts is exempt from the notification requirement, provided the total stay does not exceed 13 consecutive weeks within a 52-week period. This allows corporate representatives to travel to the Netherlands for negotiations without administrative delays.
Another exemption applies to the initial assembly or installation of goods. This work is exempt if it is carried out by specialized workers, is essential to a supply contract, lasts under 8 days, and does not take place in the construction sector. Similarly, repairs or emergency maintenance to supplied equipment are exempt if the work lasts under 12 consecutive weeks within a 36-week period and is not in the construction sector.
Transit transport through the Netherlands without any loading or unloading activities is completely exempt from the notification requirement for EU, EEA, or Swiss workers. However, these exemptions are highly specific, and any deviation from the criteria will result in a compliance failure during an inspection.
Third-country nationals posted to the Netherlands do not enjoy these flexibilities. They must always be notified through the portal before starting any work, and they are never eligible for any exemptions, regardless of the duration or nature of their tasks.
For companies operating close to the Dutch border, a simplified "one-year notification" option exists. This option is available to small businesses with up to 9 employees and self-employed professionals located within 100 kilometers of the Dutch border. To qualify for this annual notification, the employer must have had at least 3 postings in the Netherlands in the preceding calendar year. It is important to note that the one-year notification option is strictly unavailable for postings in the construction sector or the temporary employment sector.
