- If you work for an escort agency, the agency arranges appointments with clients for you
- You go to the clients, in a hotel for example
- The escort agency takes care of the permit
Know your rights!
“Escorts, know your rights!”
The animation “Escorts, know your rights!” provides clear and accessible information about the rights of escorts working in the Netherlands. It also outlines where you can find support or advice if you have questions about your situation.
The animation was created within the Sex Work Alliance Destigmatization (SWAD), together with the Sex Work Reporting & Advisory Point, the Prostitution Information Center (PIC) and the Amsterdam Center for Sex Workers.
What’s the procedure?
Do you work as an escort? In that case, the agency makes appointments for you with clients. This is the procedure:
- The client makes an appointment via the escort agency. The escort agency lets you know what time your appointment is and where you need to go
- You usually go to the client, in a hotel for example, or to the client’s home.
- Sometimes, the escort agency will arrange a driver for you
There are many different types of escort agencies. It’s a good idea to check out a number of agencies. Choose the agency where you feel most comfortable.
What do you earn?
The escort agency determines the price the clients pay. The prices are usually listed on the agency’s website.
You pay the escort agency for making your appointments. That is 40 to 50% of the amount the client gives you.
You usually earn well per appointment if you work for an escort agency. Sometimes, you don’t have appointments for a while, so you don’t earn any money.
You are not employed by the escort agency and you are also not working independently (zzp’er). You work via opting-in. That is an arrangement by the tax authorities that is somewhere between being employed and working independently. Read more about opting-in here
Where?
There are escort agencies all over the Netherlands. You yourself chose which agency or agencies you register with.
Officially, you are allowed to work for several agencies at the same time. Most agencies don’t want you to do that. They actually can’t ask you not to do that. However, they won’t make any more appointments for you if you go ahead and work for another agency anyway.
Most escort agencies work with cis female/female escorts. Some agencies work with men and transgender people.
Permit
Escort agencies need a permit from the municipality where they are located. In other words, you don’t have to arrange this yourself.
Rules
Do you want to work as an escort? You must meet the following requirements:
- You have a residency permit if you are not from the Netherlands
- You are 18 or older. Please note: In some municipalities, you have to be at least 21
Advantages and disadvantages
Advantages of working for an escort agency
- You earn well per appointment
- The escort agency arranges everything for you. All you have to do is go to the appointment.
- The escort agency often has a blacklist of clients and does background checks
- You determine your own working hours
- The escort agency offers safety. They investigate whether the client can be trusted, they sometimes arrange a driver and they know where you are
- It is exciting work. Sometimes, you go to beautiful homes, hotels and restaurants
Disadvantages of working for an escort agency
- The escort agency keeps 40 to 50% of the amount the client pays
- You usually work alone
- Sometimes, you won’t have any appointments for a few weeks. In other words, you don’t make any money
- The escort agency often has a certain style you have to comply with
- Sometimes, you have to travel a long way for an appointment
- If the client sends you away at the start of the appointment, you don’t earn anything
Safety
There are risks to working for an escort agency. Especially because you are alone in a room with the client.
Most escort agencies check who the client actually is. A good escort agency does not make appointments with clients they don’t trust.
Most agencies want you to phone them once you are in the client’s location. They phone you at the end of the appointment. If you don’t answer and the client doesn’t answer, they phone the police.
Protect your safety:
- Trust your own instincts. Do not go into a client’ location if you have a bad feeling.
- Is your client acting strange? Maybe you should stop. Read here about what strange behavior is
- Be clear about what you want to do with a client and what you do not want to do. If you don’t want to do something, say no.
The work bag
The escort bag is your work bag: it contains the things you need for you work. Use a bag with pockets, so you won’t have to dig around in the bag.
Never leave your bag alone in the room with your client, especially not if it contains personal items such as your appointment book or your phone!
Always take the bag with you if you go to the toilet or bathroom.
- What is in your escort bag?
- Your client’s address
- A charged work phone with sufficient phone credit
- Items for safe sex: different sizes of condoms, water-based or silicon-based lube, disinfectant hand gel and Nitrile gloves or latex gloves
- A toiletry bag containing makeup, unscented deodorant, toothpaste and a toothbrush, hairbrush, tissues, items for contact lenses, nail file, sponges (dental dams) and a face mask
- Breath mints for fresh breath
- Change, possibly a credit card machine
- Sex toys
- Extra lingerie, wigs, shoes
- A copy of your ID
- Clean underwear
- Something to read or do if you have to travel a long way
- Flat shoes for the return trip
- A snack for the return trip