Skip to main content

Detachering

Also known as: Secondment, Contracting-out

Employment LawLast reviewed: 13 Apr 2026

Detachering is the secondment of an employee by a specialised detachering BV to a client organisation while remaining employed by the provider.

Quick Answer

Quick Answer

Detachering is the secondment of an employee by a specialised detachering BV to a client organisation while remaining employed by the provider.

Detachering is a form of personnel provision in which a specialised provider (the detacheringsbureau or detachering BV) employs a professional and seconds them to a client organisation for a defined project or role. Unlike agency work, the assignments are typically longer, more specialised, and focused on knowledge-intensive sectors such as IT, engineering, finance, and government.

Legally, detachering falls under Article 7:690 of the Civil Code as a form of terbeschikkingstelling van arbeidskrachten, and therefore shares the regulatory regime that governs agency work. The professional signs an employment contract with the detachering provider, while the client signs a commercial service agreement with that provider. The inlenersbeloning rule requires equal pay and conditions compared to a directly employed counterpart at the client.

From 2026, the Wet toelating terbeschikkingstelling van arbeidskrachten (Wtta) requires all detachering providers to hold a mandatory licence issued by a government-approved body. Clients hiring from unlicensed providers face administrative fines and joint liability for unpaid wages and taxes.

Sources

Related terms

Home vs Host Country Rules · Independent Contractor · Payrollovereenkomst · Secondment vs Assignment · Arbeidsovereenkomst · Concurrentiebeding

Need help with Dutch employment, tax, or compliance?

Octagon has supported international organisations, scale-ups, and multinationals across Europe for over 39 years. Our team can guide you through any employment, payroll, or compliance question — wherever you are in the process.