Looking for the best side hustles to generate extra income alongside your regular job? You're not alone: more and more people in the Netherlands are starting a side hustle to become financially independent, acquire new skills, or monetize a passion project. In this comprehensive overview, we share over 25 proven side hustles, including realistic earnings, startup time, and practical tips to get you started right away.
What makes a good side hustle?
Not every side job is suitable as a side hustle. The best side hustles meet certain criteria:
- Flexible: you decide when and how much you work
- Scalable: your earnings grow with your effort
- Low startup costs: you don't need to invest a large amount of capital
- Combination-friendly: can be combined with a full-time job or study
- Future-proof: the demand for the product or service is growing
Below, we discuss the best side hustles divided into categories: e-commerce, services, content creation, and passive income.
E-commerce side hustles
E-commerce is one of the most popular and lucrative categories when it comes to side hustles. The great thing is that you can work from home and sell internationally.
1. Selling on bol.com
With over 13 million active customers, bol.com is the largest online sales platform in the Netherlands and Belgium. You can sell products through the partner platform without having your own webshop. Tools like the Zoloo Product Tracker help you find profitable products, and the Keyword Verkenner helps you get found better. Use the Winstcalculator to calculate your margin in advance.
2. Dropshipping
With dropshipping, you sell products without holding them in stock yourself. The supplier ships directly to your customer. This significantly reduces your risk. Platforms like bol.com and Shopify support this model. Read more in our article about dropshipping via bol.com.
3. Print on demand
Design t-shirts, mugs, posters, or phone cases and have them produced only after an order is placed. Platforms like Printful or Printify connect with your own webshop or Etsy account. Creative entrepreneurs can build a nice income here without inventory risk.
4. Selling digital products
E-books, templates, spreadsheets, courses, or digital art: the margins on digital products are extremely high because there are no production or shipping costs. You can sell through platforms like Gumroad, Etsy, or your own website.
5. Selling handmade products
If you're creative, you can sell handmade jewelry, candles, soap, or home decor on Etsy, bol.com, or local markets. The rise of the "buy local" sentiment makes this even more attractive.
6. Starting your own webshop
With platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce, you can easily start your own webshop. You have full control over your brand, pricing, and customer relationships. Combine this with social media marketing for maximum visibility.
Overview of e-commerce side hustles
| Side Hustle | Start-up Costs | Start-up Time | Expected Monthly Income | Difficulty Level | Scalability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Selling on bol.com | €50 – €500 | 2 – 4 weeks | €200 – €5.000+ | Average | High |
| Dropshipping | €100 – €300 | 2 – 6 weeks | €100 – €3.000 | Average | High |
| Print on demand | €0 – €100 | 1 – 3 weeks | €50 – €1.500 | Low | Average |
| Digital products | €0 – €50 | 1 – 4 weeks | €100 – €5.000+ | Average | Very High |
| Handmade products | €50 – €500 | 2 – 8 weeks | €100 – €2.000 | Average | Low |
| Own webshop | €200 – €1.000 | 4 – 12 weeks | €200 – €10.000+ | High | Very High |
Service-based Side Hustles
Do you have specific skills or knowledge? You can offer them as a service. This is a category of best side hustles with low start-up costs and quick earning opportunities.
7. Freelance Writing
Companies are constantly looking for content for their websites, blogs, and social media. If you can write well, you can earn €0.05 to €0.25 per word as a freelancer. Platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Werkspot help you get assignments.
8. Virtual Assistant
As a virtual assistant, you help entrepreneurs with email management, calendar planning, social media, and administration. The barrier is low, and you can earn €15 to €35 per hour.
9. Online Coaching or Consulting
Do you have expertise in fitness, nutrition, career, finance, or another field? Offer online coaching sessions via Zoom. Coaches earn an average of €50 to €200 per session.
10. Social Media Management
Many small businesses want to be active on social media, but they don't have the time or knowledge. Manage their accounts, create content, and analyze results. This can generate €300 to €1,500 per client per month.
11. Online Tutoring
If you're strong in math, languages, physics, or another school subject, you can give online tutoring. Platforms like Bijles.com or Superprof connect you with students. Rates range from €20 to €50 per hour.
12. Web Design and Development
With knowledge of WordPress, Webflow, or Shopify, you can build websites for small businesses. A simple website can earn €500 to €3,000. With experience, your rates increase significantly.
13. Graphic Design
Logos, business cards, flyers, social media templates - companies always need graphic design. With tools like Canva (for beginners) or Adobe Illustrator (for professionals), you can start right away.
Content Creation Side Hustles
Content creation is a category that has grown explosively in recent years. With a smartphone and creativity, you can get started.
14. Starting a YouTube Channel
A YouTube channel can generate significant passive income in the long run through advertising revenue, sponsor deals, and merchandise. The first 1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours are the biggest challenge.
15. Podcasting
Podcasts are more popular than ever in the Netherlands. With a good microphone (from €50) and a unique topic, you can attract listeners and earn money through sponsorships or premium content.
16. Blogging
A blog about a niche topic can generate a nice passive income through ads, affiliate links, and sponsored content. Successful bloggers in the Netherlands earn between €500 and €5,000 per month.
17. Affiliate marketing
Promote products from other companies and earn a commission per sale or click. Programs like the bol.com partner program, Amazon Associates, or Daisycon offer opportunities. Combine this with a blog, YouTube channel, or social media.
18. Stock photography
If you can take good photos, you can sell them on platforms like Shutterstock, Adobe Stock, or iStockphoto. Each download earns a few cents to a few euros, but with a large portfolio, this can add up.
19. Creating online courses
Share your expertise through online courses on Udemy, Teachable, or Skillshare. A well-received course can generate passive income for years. The average Udemy course earns between €200 and €3,000 per month.
Passive income side hustles
With passive income, you invest time or money upfront, and then the income comes in largely automatically.
20. App development
A useful app can generate money through in-app purchases or ads every month. Development requires a significant investment, but the scalability is enormous.
21. SEO consultancy
Companies are investing more and more in search engine optimization. If you have knowledge of SEO, you can earn €50 to €150 per hour as a consultant. Learn how SEO works with our guide to SEO for bol.com.
22. E-mail marketing services
Help companies set up and execute e-mail campaigns. Tools like Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign, or the Zoloo E-mail Campaigns tool make this accessible. E-mail marketing has one of the highest ROIs of all marketing channels.
23. Bookkeeping and administration
Many freelancers and small businesses outsource their bookkeeping. With knowledge of tools like Moneybird or e-Boekhouden and the Zoloo Automatic Invoicing, you can offer this as a side hustle.
24. Reselling and arbitrage
Buy products cheaply (at flea markets, Marktplaats, or through clearance sales) and sell them for a profit on bol.com, Amazon, or eBay. Use the Zoloo Product Database to see which products sell well and what they earn.
25. Translation work
Do you speak multiple languages? Translation services are in high demand, especially for combinations like Dutch-English, Dutch-German, or Dutch-French. Rates range from €0.08 to €0.20 per word.
Comparison: best side hustles at a glance
| Category | Side Hustle | Startup Time | Expected Monthly Income | Required Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E-commerce | Selling on bol.com | 2 – 4 weeks | €200 – €5.000+ | Product research, marketing |
| E-commerce | Dropshipping | 2 – 6 weeks | €100 – €3.000 | Supplier management, marketing |
| Service | Freelance writing | 1 – 2 weeks | €300 – €3.000 | Writing skills, SEO knowledge |
| Service | Web design | 2 – 4 weeks | €500 – €5.000 | WordPress/Shopify, design |
| Content | YouTube | 1 – 3 months | €0 – €5.000+ | Video editing, presentation |
| Content | Affiliate marketing | 1 – 2 months | €50 – €3.000 | Content creation, SEO |
| Passive | Online courses | 1 – 3 months | €200 – €3.000 | Expertise, presentation |
| Passive | Reselling | 1 – 2 weeks | €100 – €2.000 | Market knowledge, negotiation |
Tips to Successfully Start a Side Hustle
The best side hustles aren't always the most lucrative, but the ones that fit you best. Here are practical tips to get you started:
1. Start Small and Test
Don't invest large amounts right away. Start with a minimum viable product (MVP) and test if there's demand. In e-commerce, you can start by offering a small assortment on bol.com before launching your own webshop.
2. Get a KvK Registration
In the Netherlands, you need to register with the KvK as an entrepreneur if you sell products or services regularly. This costs a one-time fee of €75.09. Read more about the costs of selling on bol.com.
3. Use the Right Tools
Successful side hustlers use tools to save time and make better decisions. For e-commerce on bol.com, Zoloo offers a complete package: from product research and ranking tracking to AI-driven listing optimization and sales dashboard.
4. Keep Track of Your Finances
Separate your business and personal finances from day one. Keep a close eye on what you earn and spend. Tools like the Zoloo Profit Calculator help you get instant insights into your margins.
5. Invest in Knowledge
The most successful side hustlers continuously invest in knowledge. Take online courses, read blogs, and learn from others in your niche. Check out our free course on selling on bol.com to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Side Hustles
How Much Can I Earn with a Side Hustle?
This varies greatly depending on the type of side hustle and the time you invest. On average, people in the Netherlands earn between €200 and €2.000 per month with a side hustle. Top performers in e-commerce can earn €5.000 or more per month.
Do I Need to Pay Taxes on My Side Hustle Income?
Yes, all income from a side hustle must be reported to the tax authorities. As a freelancer, you can benefit from entrepreneur deductions like the self-employed person's deduction and the starter's deduction, provided you meet the hourly criterion (at least 1,225 hours per year).
What side hustle suits me best?
Choose a side hustle that matches your skills, interests, and available time. Are you creative? Consider print on demand or graphic design. Are you analytical? Then selling on bol.com with data-driven product research is an excellent choice.
Can I combine a side hustle with a full-time job?
Absolutely. Most side hustles on this list are specifically suitable to do alongside a full-time job. Start with 5 to 10 hours a week and scale up as you gain more experience and confidence.
Conclusion
The best side hustles of 2026 offer unprecedented opportunities to generate extra income. Whether you choose e-commerce via bol.com, freelance services, content creation, or passive income - the key is to get started. Start small, learn quickly, and scale up. With the right approach and tools, you can build a side hustle into a serious source of income.
Want to start selling on bol.com? Use Zoloo to make smart product choices, optimize your listings, and track your sales. Also, check out our articles on side hustles in the Netherlands, earning money online, and good side hustles for more inspiration.
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