Recruitment Agency Fees Explained: What You Will Pay in 2027

Recruitment agency fees in the Netherlands typically range from 20% to 25% of the new hire's gross annual salary on a no-cure-no-pay basis, and from 30% to 33% for retained search. What you pay in 2027 depends on the fee model, the salary base the percentage applies to, the payment terms and the guarantee attached. On a €70k sales salary, those choices alone can move the final invoice by more than €15,000. 

Key Takeaways

• No-cure-no-pay agencies in the Netherlands typically charge 20% to 25% of gross annual salary, while retained search costs 30% to 33%. 

• Contingency means no hire, no fee, while retained search asks for part of the fee upfront.

• Always check whether holiday allowance and bonus count towards the fee base.

• A strong replacement guarantee can be worth more than a lower percentage.

How Much Do Recruitment Agencies Charge in the Netherlands?

Most Dutch agencies charge a percentage of the placed candidate's gross annual salary. On a no-cure-no-pay basis, rates typically sit between 20% and 25%, while retained search runs at 30% to 33% (1). Where a search lands depends on how scarce the profile is and how senior the role, so specialist and leadership searches price higher. 

Katapult publishes its rates openly: Katapult search costs 26% and Katapult plus 28% of a placed candidate's annual salary. Published rates let you compare like for like before the first call.

Which Recruitment Fee Structures Exist?

The recruitment fee structure decides when you pay and what you get for it. These are the 4 models you will meet most often:

1. Contingency, or no cure, no pay: you pay only when a candidate is hired, and it is by far the most common model in the Netherlands (1) 

2. Retained: part of the fee is paid upfront and the rest at hire, in exchange for priority and dedicated capacity

3. Fixed fee: a flat amount per hire, agreed before the search starts, typically €3,500 to €12,000 in the Netherlands (1) 

4. Recruitment process outsourcing (RPO): an external team runs all or part of your hiring for a monthly fee

Katapult search follows the contingency model with no upfront cost. Katapult plus is retained-style, with 50% paid upfront and 50% at hire, and includes prioritised search, multiple consultants, and a dedicated recruitment marketing budget.

What Salary Does the Agency Fee Percentage Apply To?

The fee base matters as much as the percentage. No-cure-no-pay fees in the Netherlands are usually calculated on gross annual salary, including holiday allowance and, where applicable, a 13th month (1), and every employee in the Netherlands is entitled to at least 8% holiday allowance (2). For sales roles, check whether commission or OTE counts too, because variable pay can make up half the package.

Here is the same 25% fee applied to a mid-market Account Executive on the Dutch median from our 2026 salary benchmarks, €70k base and a €60k target bonus:

Same percentage, almost double the invoice. Ask every agency to confirm its fee base in writing before you sign.

How Do Guarantees Change Recruitment Agency Fees?

A guarantee protects the fee if the hire leaves early. In the Netherlands, a permanent contract may include a trial period of up to two months, during which either party can terminate the contract without notice (3). Ask whether the agency replaces the candidate for free or refunds part of the fee, and how long that cover lasts. It matters because the fee is only a small part of the true cost of a bad SaaS sales hire.

Katapult includes an unconditional 30-day termination clause and will find a replacement at no cost if the hire does not pass probation. Compare interviews per hire as well, since every extra interview costs your team time. Katapult sends a maximum of four candidates per role, whereas it sees traditional agencies needing 8 to 12 or more interviews per hire. For a full checklist, read how to select the right SaaS sales recruitment agency.

Want a clear quote for your next sales hire? Book a call with Katapult to compare Katapult search and Katapult plus for your role.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions about recruitment agency fees in 2027

Do candidates pay recruitment agency fees?

No. The hiring company pays the fee, and candidates use the service for free. Katapult, for example, charges candidates nothing, because its income comes from the companies it partners with. Be cautious with any agency that asks a job seeker for money.

When is a recruitment fee invoiced?

Check whether the invoice is due when the contract is signed or on the first working day. Retained models split it, as Katapult plus does, with 50% upfront and 50% at hire. Also ask what happens if the candidate withdraws before starting.

Can I negotiate recruitment agency fees?

Often, especially for multiple roles or an exclusive assignment. Before pushing the percentage down, compare guarantee terms, candidates per role and time to hire. A cheaper search that takes twice as long can cost more in lost revenue than it saves.

Sources

1. RecruitmentTraining.pro (Jacco Valkenburg), "Wat kost een recruitmentbureau echt? Tarieven & valkuilen", 15 May 2026

2. Business.gov.nl (Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment), "Paying holiday allowance to your staff"

3. Business.gov.nl (Netherlands Enterprise Agency), "Trial period"