- Have you just moved to the Netherlands and want to be a sex worker? You’ll have to arrange your affairs
- First, find out whether you are allowed to work in the Netherlands and what you have to do for that
- Sometimes, you need a permit. Or you have to register somewhere
- Make sure you work healthily. And know your rights and obligations as a sex worker
When can you be a sex worker
A lot of sex workers in the Netherlands come from a different country. It is not always clear who is allowed to work in the Netherlands. That depends on where you’re from, for example:
- Are you from an EU country? You are allowed to be a sex worker
- Are you from a non-EU country? Sometimes, you are allowed to be a sex worker
You are from the European Union (EU)
Are you from the EU? Then you are allowed to live and work in the Netherlands. You are also allowed to be a sex worker.
Read about which countries are part of the European Union (Dutch only)
You are not required to have the following:
- You don’t need a residency permit
You are required to have the following:
- You register with the Basis Registratie Personen, or BRP (Key Register of Persons). This is only necessary if you stay in the Netherlands longer than four months
- Are you staying in the Netherlands less than four months? In that case, you register your foreign address in the Registratie Niet Ingezetenen, or RNI (Register of Non-Residents) You will be issued a Burger Service Number, or BSN (Citizen Service Number). A BSN is a unique personal number that is used by government institutions
- You register with the Gemeentelijke Basis Administratie, or GBA (Municipal Personal Records Database)
You are not from the European Union
Are you from a country that is not part of the European Union? In that case, you are only allowed to be a sex worker:
- If you are married or living with someone. You need a residency permit to be able to live with your partner. And your partner is allowed to work in the Netherlands
- If you have a residency permit
You are allowed to work for an employer or as a self-employed individual (zzp’er).
Are these things not applicable to you? In that case, you are not allowed to be a sex worker in the Netherlands.
Want to know more?
Read about when you are allowed to be a sex worker (Dutch only)
Working in the Netherlands
To be able to be a sex worker in the Netherlands, you must meet the following requirements:
- You have to be 18 or older. Sometimes, the minimum age is 21. The differs per city or location where you work
- An ID, your passport for example
- You are from the EU or you have a residency permit
- Are you self-employed? Then you have to register with the Chamber of Commerce (KvK)
- A permit to be a sex worker. Are you employed? By a club, for example? In that case, they will take care of that for you. Read more about permits
Rights and obligations
As a sex worker, you have rights and obligations. A basic right of all sex workers: you yourself determine how you have sex and with whom. What rights and obligations you have depends on how you work: as a self-employed individual, for an employer or via opting-in.
Properly organize your work affairs
Do you want to know more about your rights and obligations as a sex worker? And what about taxes, permits and working as a self-employed person (zzp’er)? You can find the information in various languages on Prostitutie Goed Geregeld.
Health
It’s important for you to take care of your health. For example, get tested for STIs on a regular basis. That way, you won’t get sick. And you can’t pass an STI on to your client or someone else. And get the Hepatitis B vaccine. Then you can’t get that, either. That STI can make you very sick.
As a sex worker, you can get a free STI test at the municipal health service (GGD). And you can get vaccinated against Hepatitis B for free.
Get three free Hepatitis B vaccinations
You can catch Hepatitis B by having sex. Especially if you don’t use a condom. You can get very sick from it. Get vaccinated for free at the municipal health service (GGD). That way, you won’t catch this STI.
Ukrainian refugees
Read this text in Ukrainian here
Work
Ukrainian refugees are allowed to work in the Netherlands. This can be as an employee, or via opting-in. The employer must report this to the UWV.
According to these rules, you may only do sex work through opting-in. That is, for example, through an escort agency or a private house. Working as a self-employed person (zzp'er) is currently not allowed.
Sex work is legal
In the Netherlands, sex work is legal. This means that you can do sex work if you follow the rules. It also means that you have rights as a sex worker.
Read here what you need to know if you want to start doing sex work in the Netherlands.
Read more about the rules for sex work.
Testing and vaccination
As a sex worker, you can get a free, anonymous STI test at the GGD. Even if you work without a permit. That way you stay healthy. Or you can get medication in time. See where you can get an STI test.
As a sex worker, you can get free and anonymous vaccinations against hepatitis B. That way you can't get the disease. This STI can make you very sick. You can also get vaccinated if you work without a permit. Find out where you can get vaccinated.
Read how you can work healthily.
Working safely
Does a customer treat you badly? That's never your fault. However, you can do some things to reduce the chances of having an unpleasant customer. Checking on your customer beforehand, for example. Do you have a bad feeling about a customer? Then don't meet with them or send them home.
Are you in danger? Then call the emergency number 112. You will then get help. Even if you are working without a permit.
Read more about working safely.
Need help?
Do you need help or advice? There are organizations that help sex workers. For example, questions about work, health, safety and finances. You can also get help if you work without a permit.
Amsterdam
ACS
Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 292, Amsterdam
020 - 531 86 00
info@centerforsexworkers.nl
www.acs.nl
Rotterdam
Door2door
door2door@stichtinghumanitas.nl
www.door2doorrotterdam.n
The Hague
Spot 46
Herengracht 46a, The Hague
070 - 345 70 10
info@spot46.nl
www.spot46.nl
Utrecht
Belle
06 - 53 71 18 79
belle@tussenvoorziening.nl
www.belle-hulpverlening.nl
Look here if you need help in another city.
Human trafficking
Are you working against your will as a sex worker? Do you have to give the money you earn to someone else? And do you want help? You can get that here:
- Call 112 if you are in immediate danger
- Are you not in immediate danger, but would you like help? Then call the police at 0900-8844.
- In Amsterdam you can call the human trafficking team of the police at 088-1693396.
- Don't want to talk to the police, but do want help? These people can help you.
- You can often get a safe place in a refugee centre.
- Do you have a residence permit? Even then you can get help. Sometimes you may be entitled to a special residence permit. Discuss this with the person who helps you.
Read more about help with human trafficking.