Why We Built These Free Expat Tools
Moving to the Netherlands involves dozens of financial and administrative decisions, often under time pressure and in an unfamiliar system. Should you negotiate for a higher salary to meet the HSM threshold? How much will the 30% ruling actually save you? Which health insurance plan makes sense for your situation?
Wilco Terlouw publishes these tools to make official Dutch thresholds and common planning calculations easier to use. Each tool documents its scope and limitations; verify consequential decisions with the linked authority or an appropriately qualified adviser.
What Each Tool Does
30% Ruling Calculator
The 30% ruling calculator computes your exact tax benefit under the rules that actually apply. The allowance is a flat 30% in every month of 2025 and 2026 — the 30/20/10 step-down announced in the 2024 Tax Plan was scrapped in the 2025 Tax Plan before it ever took effect. From 1 January 2027 the maximum drops to 27%, unless the ruling was already being applied to your salary on or before 31 December 2023. The calculator handles all three transitional cohorts, applies the Balkenendenorm salary cap at €262,000 (a maximum allowance of €78,600), and generates a 5-year breakdown with net income comparisons.
Net Salary Calculator
The Net Salary Calculator instantly verifies whether your salary meets the IND kennismigrant threshold. It covers all five categories (30+, under 30, orientation year, EU Blue Card, scientific researcher), adjusts for holiday allowance inclusion, and shows what happens with the 30% ruling threshold reduction. If you fail, it tells you exactly how much more you need.
Housing, Integration & Diploma Tools
The Rent Affordability Calculator calculates what you can afford to rent or buy in any Dutch city. The Inburgering Exam Guide determines which civic integration route applies to you, with exam timelines and school recommendations. The Diploma Recognition Guide tells you whether you need Nuffic credential evaluation and walks you through the full process. All tools are free, require no registration, and use 2026 data.
How the Tools Work
All tools run entirely in your browser. Your salary, personal details, and calculation inputs are never sent to a server, stored in a database, or shared with third parties. The JavaScript processes everything locally and displays the results instantly.
We update the underlying data (tax brackets, IND thresholds, insurance rates) at the start of each year when official Dutch figures are published. The current data reflects the 2026 tax year. If you notice any discrepancy with official sources, please let us know.
Recommended Next Steps
After using the tools, dive deeper with our detailed guides:
- Complete 30% Ruling Guide — eligibility, application process, and common pitfalls
- HSM Visa Guide — step-by-step application walkthrough
- Dutch Tax System for Expats — box 1/2/3, deductions, and filing
- Health Insurance Guide — mandatory coverage explained
- Opening a Bank Account — requirements and best options
Frequently Asked Questions
Are these expat tools really free?
Yes, all tools are completely free with no registration required. We fund the site through affiliate partnerships with services such as Wise. Using our tools costs you nothing.
How accurate are the tax and salary calculators?
Tax tools use the three 2026 Box 1 rates (35.75%, 37.56% and 49.50%), the standard tax-credit formulas and published IND criteria. They are planning estimates, not binding tax, immigration or payroll advice.
Which tool should I use first?
Start with the Net Salary Calculator to confirm you meet the visa threshold. Then use the 30% Ruling Calculator to estimate your tax benefit. These two answer the most critical questions for expats considering a move.
Do I need to create an account?
No. All tools work instantly in your browser. No sign-up, no login, no personal data storage. Your inputs are processed locally and are not saved or shared.