Dutch applied-university staff to get 3.5% pay rise in 2027

Staff at Dutch universities of applied sciences are due a 3.5% pay rise from 1 March 2027 under a new collective labour agreement, alongside a one-off payment for full-time employees and improved support for some parents.

The agreement was reached by unions, including CNV, and the Association of Universities of Applied Sciences, CNV said. Full-time staff will also receive a gross one-off payment of €375 in February.

For employees with young children, payments during several types of leave will be topped up to 100% of salary. Paid parental leave will be topped up to 75% of salary during a child’s first year.

The agreement also adds a route for staff who believe their workload is too high: if their institution has no local committee to review it, they can ask a national committee to assess their workload.