How Much Can You Really Save While Working in the Netherlands?

Ankit Tomar,

One of the biggest questions I had before moving to the Netherlands was this:

“Will working there actually help me save and grow financially?”

Sure, the idea of international exposure, great work-life balance, and travelling Europe sounds exciting—but at the end of the day, most of us also want to know: Can I save well enough to secure my future or even retire early?

If you’ve been wondering the same, this blog is for you.

A Quick Heads-Up

Everything I share here is based on my own experience, conversations with friends, and lots of number crunching over the past few years. Your situation might be different—so treat this as a reference point, not financial advice. 😊

Let’s Get to the Point: How Much Can You Save?

If you’re single:

With decent budgeting, you can save around €2,200 to €3,000 per month (roughly ₹1.8 to ₹2.4 lakhs).

If you’re living with family (3 members, one earning):

You’re likely to save €1,000 to €2,000 per month (₹80K to ₹1.6 lakhs).
💡 If both partners are working, this number can go up significantly.

Salary Range in the Netherlands (with 30% ruling)

Most people in tech roles here earn between €3,500 to €5,500 per month (net)—especially if you qualify for the 30% ruling (which gives you a big tax break).

To check your in-hand salary, try this site:
👉 https://thetax.nl
Tip: If you’re on an ICT visa, uncheck “social security” for more accurate results.

What Will You Spend Each Month?

Here’s a ballpark of monthly expenses for both singles and families:

CategorySingle (Shared Flat)Family (2BHK)
Rent + Utilities~€700~€1,500
Groceries€300–€400€400–€500
Eating Out~€100~€150
Local Travel (OV-chip)~€50~€100 (2 people)
Mobile Phone Plans~€20~€40 (2 phones)
Kids’ Education—varies widely

After all these expenses, whatever’s left is your savings.
And yes—you’ll still have enough room for occasional travel and good food. That’s the beauty of working here.

How I Handle My Savings & Investments

Once I settled in, the first thing I did was build an emergency fund of €5,000. After that, I began sending small amounts to India every month—usually around €100 to €200.

That money either goes into long-term investments or supports fixed goals back home. I prefer this slow-and-steady route instead of saving up and sending a large amount in one go.

How to Send Money to India (Without a Headache)

You’ve got three solid options:

  1. Bank Transfers via Dutch Banks
    • Safe, but usually slower and not always the best rates
  2. Indian Bank Platforms (like ICICI Money2India)
    • Trustworthy, but limited flexibility
  3. Money Transfer Apps (my personal favorite)
    • I use apps like Wise, Remitly, and Instarem
    • Fast, transparent, and perfect for frequent smaller transfers
    • Also helps average out forex rates over time

Final Thoughts: Can You Actually Grow Wealth Here?

Yes, 100%.

If you plan even a little bit, you can save a significant chunk of your income here—without living like a monk. Whether you’re building an emergency fund, investing in India, or planning for early retirement—this country gives you the breathing space to grow.

So don’t just come here to earn.
Come here to plan, save, and live better.

If you found this useful:

  • You can subscribe to my blog for more posts like this
  • Or just reach out—I’m always happy to share more details over a quick chat!

Thanks for reading. 🇳🇱💶
See you in the next one!

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Working in Netherlands

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