Shift work allowance 2026: how much do you get per shift system?
Working in shifts is an essential part of the Dutch manufacturing industry. To compensate employees for irregular working hours and the impact on their social life, most collective labour agreements (CAOs) include a shift work allowance. For 2026, this allowance ranges from 15% for a two-shift system to 37.5% for a fully continuous five-shift system. These allowances are laid down in employment contracts and CAOs such as the CAO Metaal en Techniek.
The level of the shift work allowance depends on several factors: the number of shifts, the working hours, and whether night and weekend work is involved. In addition to the standard shift allowance, employees may be entitled to extra allowances for night shifts (20-33%), Sunday work (50-100%) and public holidays. For employers in the manufacturing industry in the Netherlands, it is crucial to apply these arrangements correctly.
Standard shift work allowances 2026
The basic shift work allowances are set by law and vary per shift system. These percentages apply on top of the normal hourly wage and are intended to compensate for the drawbacks of irregular work.
For a two-shift system, the allowance is 15% of the hourly wage. This system is often used in production environments where machines run during the day and evening. Employees usually rotate shifts weekly or monthly, alternating between early and late shifts.
For a three-shift system, the allowance rises to 22.5%. This system covers the entire day with a morning, afternoon and night shift. The higher allowance compensates for the night shift and the more frequent switches between different shifts.
| Shift system | Number of shifts | Allowance percentage | Application |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two-shift | 2 | 15% | Day and evening shift |
| Three-shift | 3 | 22.5% | Morning, afternoon, night |
| Four-shift | 4 | 30% | Continuous operation |
| Five-shift fully continuous | 5 | 37.5% | 24/7 production |
Four-shift and fully continuous systems
The four-shift system with a 30% allowance is used for continuous operation without a weekend shutdown. This form of shift work ensures that production continues 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, except during planned maintenance stops.
In a four-shift system, four teams work in rotation. Each team works according to a fixed schedule of, for example, 2 days, 2 nights, followed by 4 days off. This cycle repeats continuously, meaning employees work both weekend and weekdays.
The fully continuous five-shift system offers the highest allowance of 37.5%. This system is used in industries where stopping production is technically impossible or economically irresponsible, such as in the chemical industry, steel plants or power stations.
With five fully continuous shifts, there is always a team at work, even during public holidays and vacations. The fifth team acts as a reserve team and fills the gaps that arise due to illness, holidays and days off of the other four teams.
Extra allowances for night shifts
In addition to the standard shift allowance, employees are entitled to an extra night shift allowance of 20% to 33%. This allowance applies specifically to the hours worked between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM.
The level of the night shift allowance varies per CAO and company. The complete overview of the CAO Metaal en Techniek stipulates that the night shift allowance is at least 20% for the hours between midnight and 6:00 AM.
For the transitional hours from 10:00 PM to midnight and from 6:00 AM to 7:00 AM, a lower allowance often applies or it is left out entirely. This differs per company and depends on the specific employment conditions.
Employees who work full night shifts, for example from 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM, therefore receive both the shift allowance and the night shift allowance. These allowances are added together and calculated on the basic hourly wage.
Sunday allowance and public holiday arrangements
For work on Sundays, a separate allowance of 50% to 100% applies on top of the normal hourly wage. This allowance is independent of the shift allowance and is calculated separately.
In most CAOs, the Sunday allowance is 50% for the first eight hours of work on Sunday. For overtime on Sunday, this percentage can rise to 100%. The exact level depends on the specific CAO provisions and company agreements.
For recognised public holidays such as New Year's Day, King's Day, Christmas Day and Boxing Day, similar arrangements apply. Employees in fully continuous systems who have to work on these days receive a public holiday allowance that is often higher than the standard Sunday allowance.
The combination of shift allowance, night shift allowance and Sunday allowance can result in considerable extra income. For employees in fully continuous five-shift work who work a night shift on a Sunday, all allowances can be added together.
Calculating shift work allowances
The calculation of shift work allowances is based on the basic hourly wage, excluding other allowances. This means that overtime allowances, holiday pay and other secondary employment conditions are not taken into account when calculating the shift allowance.
A practical example: an employee with an hourly wage of €20.00 who works in a three-shift system receives a 22.5% allowance. This amounts to €4.50 extra per hour, bringing the total hourly wage to €24.50 during shift work.
For night shifts within this three-shift system, the night shift allowance is added on top. With a night shift allowance of 25%, the employee receives €5.00 extra per hour (25% of €20.00), on top of the shift allowance of €4.50. The total hourly wage then becomes €29.50.
| Situation | Basic hourly wage | Shift allowance | Night shift allowance | Total hourly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Normal shift | €20.00 | – | – | €20.00 |
| Three-shift day | €20.00 | €4.50 (22.5%) | – | €24.50 |
| Three-shift night | €20.00 | €4.50 (22.5%) | €5.00 (25%) | €29.50 |
| Fully continuous Sunday night | €20.00 | €7.50 (37.5%) | €5.00 + €10.00 (75%) | €42.50 |
Shift work across different industries
The application of shift work varies greatly per industry sector within the manufacturing industry. Factors such as production processes, customer demand and technical requirements determine which shift system is most suitable.
The food industry often works with two-shift or three-shift systems, depending on the shelf life of products and demand from retailers. Fresh products often require continuous production, while long-life products allow more flexibility.
The chemical industry works almost exclusively with fully continuous systems due to the nature of the production processes. Shutting down and starting up chemical installations is complex, costly and sometimes dangerous, making continuous staffing necessary.
The automotive industry has traditionally worked with two-shift systems, but due to labour market trends in the manufacturing industry such as just-in-time production and international competition, more and more companies are switching to three-shift or four-shift systems.
In the metal industry, the shift system varies greatly per company and product. Companies that deliver custom work often operate normal day shifts, while mass producers opt for multiple shifts to reduce cost prices.
Legal frameworks and working conditions
Shift work is subject to strict legal rules under the Working Hours Act (Arbeidstijdenwet) and the Working Conditions Act (Arbeidsomstandighedenwet). This legislation protects employees against overload and ensures minimum rest periods between shifts.
The maximum working time in shift work averages 40 hours per week over a period of 16 weeks. For fully continuous systems, an exception applies whereby an average of 38 hours per week may be worked over 52 weeks.
There must be at least 11 hours of rest between consecutive shifts. During a shift change, this may be shortened to 8 hours, provided compensating rest is given within 4 weeks. These rules are intended to allow sufficient recovery.
Additional protective measures apply to night shifts. Employees over the age of 50 can, under certain circumstances, request exemption from night shifts. Pregnant employees are also entitled to adjusted working hours.
Employers are obliged to regularly monitor the effect of shift work on the health of employees. This is often done through periodic occupational health examinations (PAGO) and can lead to adjustments in work scheduling.
Impact on holiday entitlements and leave
Employees in shift work retain their full holiday entitlements, but planning requires extra attention. The alternating shifts make holiday planning more complex than with regular day shifts.
When taking a holiday, the shift work allowances are included in the holiday pay. This means that employees retain the same income during their holiday as during working days. For the calculation, the average hourly wage including allowances over the past 13 weeks is used.
During the construction industry holiday (bouwvak) 2026 and holiday entitlements, shift work can sometimes continue, especially in continuous production processes. Employees who have to work during this period often receive compensation in the form of extra days off or increased allowances.
The same principles apply to sick leave: wages continue to be paid including shift work allowances. The calculation is based on the average wage over a representative period preceding the illness.
How high is the shift work allowance in 2026?
The shift work allowance for 2026 ranges from 15% for two-shift systems to 37.5% for fully continuous five-shift systems. For three-shift systems the allowance is 22.5% and for four-shift systems 30%. These percentages are set by law and apply on top of the normal hourly wage. In addition, employees may be entitled to a night shift allowance (20-33%) and a Sunday allowance (50-100%).
Do you get a night shift allowance in addition to the shift allowance?
Yes, in addition to the shift allowance you also receive a separate night shift allowance for hours worked between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. This allowance is at least 20% and can rise to 33%, depending on the CAO. Both allowances are added together and calculated on the basic hourly wage. For an employee in a three-shift system working a night shift, the total allowance percentage can therefore rise to 55.5% (22.5% + 33%).
What is the difference between four-shift and five-shift fully continuous systems?
The difference lies in the allowance and the deployment. Four-shift systems have a 30% allowance and are used for continuous operation, but may have interruptions for maintenance. Five-shift fully continuous systems have a 37.5% allowance and mean truly continuous production, 24/7 throughout the year. The fifth team acts as a reserve for illness and holidays of the other four teams.
How is the shift allowance calculated on my wage?
The shift allowance is calculated on your basic hourly wage, excluding other allowances. With an hourly wage of €20.00 and a three-shift system (22.5% allowance), you receive €4.50 extra per hour, so €24.50 in total. If you also work night shifts with a 25% night shift allowance, you get another €5.00 on top, for a total of €29.50 per hour. All allowances are calculated separately and added together.
Do shift work allowances also apply during holidays?
Yes, during your holiday you receive the same wage as during working days, including shift work allowances. The calculation is based on your average wage including all allowances over the past 13 weeks. This ensures that you do not suffer any loss of income during your holiday due to the loss of shift work allowances. During sick leave, wages are also paid including allowances.
As someone over 50, can I get exemption from night shifts?
Employees over the age of 50 can, under certain circumstances, request exemption from night shifts. This can be for health reasons or because of special personal circumstances. The employer must then try to offer alternative working or shift hours. The shift allowance can then be adjusted, depending on the new work schedule. This must always be arranged in consultation with the employer and, if necessary, the company doctor.
What happens to my allowance with overtime in shift work?
With overtime in shift work, you receive the normal overtime allowance (usually 50% for the first 2 hours, 100% thereafter) on top of your wage including the shift allowance. If you earn €24.50 per hour with the shift allowance and work overtime, you get €36.75 for the first overtime hour (24.50 + 50%). For overtime on Sundays or public holidays, even higher percentages may apply, which can result in very attractive hourly rates.
Does the shift allowance apply to all sectors in the manufacturing industry?
The standard shift work allowance percentages apply to most sectors, but can vary per CAO. The CAO Metaal en Techniek uses the standard percentages (15%, 22.5%, 30%, 37.5%), but other sectors such as the chemical industry or food industry may have different percentages. It is important to consult your own CAO for the exact allowances that apply to your situation. Some companies even offer more favourable allowances than the CAO minimum.
Also listen to the Podcast about the Manufacturing Industry — new insights from the industry every week.