Software Developer Hiring Trends in Netherlands

This report was last updated on Aug 10, 2025

Bence Gedai

Founder

I analyze live hiring data and tech job trends across Europe to give CTOs and Product Leaders a strategic edge. By tracking tens of thousands of open roles each week, I uncover which skills, roles, and locations are in highest demand — potential competitors, typical time to hire, talent pool sizes, and more to help you prioritize hiring, benchmark and stay competitive in a fast-moving market.

Key learnings from this report

The software engineers job market trends in the Netherlands indicate a total talent pool size that is currently dynamic and competitive.
Over the last three months, a peak of 1,593 new software engineering roles was recorded, contrasted by 796 positions closed, showcasing a sustained demand but also a fluctuating hiring landscape for software engineers in the Netherlands.
Key players in the Netherlands' software job market include Jobster with 67 positions, CIMSOLUTIONS with 36, and ASSET Rail with 34, highlighting active recruitment efforts from several prominent companies.
Factors influencing the current hiring environment show that it takes an average of 32 days to hire a software engineer, signaling a need for efficient recruitment strategies to attract and retain talent amid growing competition.
Top cities for software engineer opportunities include Amsterdam, with 54% of openings, followed by Utrecht at 23%, indicating that these urban centers are critical for sourcing software development expertise.

Number of roles opened and closed for Software Engineers in Netherlands in the last 3 months

Over the past 12 weeks, the software engineering job market in the Netherlands has exhibited notable fluctuations, indicating a dynamic landscape for hiring managers. The highest number of new positions opened was recorded in week 21, with 1,593 openings, sharply contrasting with closing trends that peaked at 796 closed positions in week 26. On average, the net difference between new jobs posted and those closed suggests a moderate demand for software engineers, with hiring managers needing to adapt their recruitment strategies to secure top talent amidst competition from other European markets.

Who else is hiring for software Engineers in Netherlands:

Company name	Country	Industry	Founded	# Job openings
Jobster	Netherlands	Information Technology & Services	2023	67
Capgemini	France	Management Consulting	1967	38
CIMSOLUTIONS	Netherlands	Information Technology & Services	1992	36
ASSET Rail	Netherlands	Transportation/trucking/railroad	2007	34
TieTalent	Switzerland	Information Technology & Services	2017	32
Doghouse Recruitment	Netherlands	Staffing & Recruiting	2015	29
Sopra Steria	France	Information Technology & Services	1968	22
Canonical	United Kingdom	Information Technology & Services	2004	18
ASML	Netherlands	Semiconductors	1984	18
JYSK	Denmark	Retail	1979	18

Here are a few specialized software agencies you can trust:

Want to get personalized matches? Get started

Talent pool vs job openings for Software Engineers in Netherlands

How competitive it is to hire Software Engineers in Netherlands

The software engineers job market trends in the Netherlands reveal a competitive landscape, with a talent pool ratio indicating moderate ease of hiring. In comparison to neighboring countries, the Netherlands shows a favorable balance between job openings and available talent. For instance, Germany has a higher number of job openings, but faces a tighter talent pool, complicating recruitment. Likewise, France presents a significant number of software developer opportunities but struggles with a larger demand than available talent, making hiring more challenging. Contrarily, Poland's talent pool provides a higher ratio of available candidates to job listings, positioning it as an easier market for hiring. Consequently, hiring managers in the Netherlands should focus on strategic recruitment to attract and retain top software engineering talent amidst these market dynamics.

Seniority distribution of Software Engineer job openings in Netherlands

Seniority Distribution of Software Engineering Jobs in Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the software engineering job market reveals a predominant trend toward mid-senior level positions, accounting for 51% of available roles. This is closely followed by entry-level positions, which make up 36% of the job market. Associate-level roles represent a smaller segment, comprising 13% of the total job opportunities. Understanding this seniority distribution is crucial for hiring managers seeking to tailor their recruitment strategies in the dynamic tech landscape.

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in Netherlands

In the Netherlands, the employment type distribution for engineering roles reveals that 93% of available positions are full-time, while contract roles account for 6% and part-time opportunities represent 1%. This data highlights the predominance of full-time roles in the software job market in the Netherlands, which is crucial for hiring managers as they navigate recruitment strategies in the tech sector.

Time to Hire Distribution for Software in Netherlands

How long does it take to hire Software Engineers

The time to hire distribution for software jobs in the Netherlands reveals key insights into recruitment trends in the tech sector. Notably, the predominant hiring timeframe spans 25 to 30 days, with a combined total of 2,897 positions filled within this window. Meanwhile, nearly 1,700 roles were secured within 15 to 20 days, reflecting a robust demand for software engineers. Recruitment strategies focused on these timeframes may enhance hiring efficiency, particularly for senior software developers amid the evolving needs of the software job market in the Netherlands. As the competition intensifies, understanding these hiring trends is essential for CTOs and engineering managers navigating the landscape.

Expolore reports from other European Developer talent pools

Insights for hiring C++ Engineers in Stockholm

The Software C++ job market in Sweden, particularly in Stockholm, has experienced notable fluctuations in job openings over the last 12 weeks, with a peak of 16 new positions posted during week 23, followed by an average of 3 jobs per week by week 32.

View Report

Insights for hiring PHP Engineers in Poland

The Software PHP Engineer job market in Poland is exhibiting notable fluctuations, with a peak of 188 new positions in week 21, but also a low of just 10 postings in week 25, indicating volatile demand for Software PHP Developers.

View Report

Insights for hiring Rust Engineers in Vilnius

The Software Rust Engineers job market in Lithuania, particularly in Vilnius, is currently experiencing a net decrease in available roles, with 12 new positions opened against 40 closures over the past 12 weeks. This trend underscores the challenges in retaining Software Rust talent and suggests an adjustment in recruitment strategies may be necessary for hiring managers.

View Report

View All Job Reports

Most popular cities in Netherlands to hire Software Engineers

Top 5 cities in Netherlands to hire Software Engineers

The location distribution for Software Engineer job openings in the Netherlands reveals a significant concentration in Amsterdam, which accounts for 54% of the total opportunities. Following Amsterdam, Utrecht presents 23% of the job market, while Rotterdam contributes 14%. This data highlights the capital's dominance in the Software job market in the Netherlands, as illustrated in the accompanying chart.

Most sought after technologies in Netherlands for Software

Key technologies for Software Engineers

The software job market in the Netherlands is characterized by a diverse range of technologies that dominate hiring trends. Among the most frequently sought-after skills, Java stands out with a notable frequency of 10,323 occurrences, reflecting its strong demand across various sectors. Following closely, Python has been referenced 10,075 times, further solidifying its position as a preferred language among employers. JavaScript and React are also prominently featured, with frequencies of 8,134 and 6,363 respectively, indicating their importance in frontend development roles. Additionally, .NET technologies, including .NET and C#, remain relevant with substantial frequencies, showcasing the continued reliance on Microsoft technologies in the software development landscape. For a comprehensive view, please refer to the accompanying chart that illustrates these trends.

Have a great project in mind?

We've identified 100+ world-class agencies, drop us a line if you'd like to work with them.