Software Developer Hiring Trends in Netherlands

This report was last updated on Aug 31, 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

In the last 12 weeks, the software engineering job market in the Netherlands has witnessed fluctuations, with a total of 678 new software developer roles posted at peak moments, indicating a vibrant yet competitive hiring environment.
The current supply of software engineering talent in the Netherlands is under pressure, with a significant demand for skilled professionals, particularly as 43% of positions are aimed at Mid-Senior level engineers, emphasizing the need for effective recruitment strategies for CTOs.
Top cities to hire software engineers in the Netherlands include Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, with Amsterdam alone accounting for 45% of job openings, underscoring a geographical concentration of talent that organizations should consider when forming their sourcing strategies.
Companies actively hiring in the Netherlands include Jobster, Capgemini, and Canonical, reflecting the diverse sectors seeking software engineering talent, which includes IT services and management consulting.
The median time to hire for software engineers in the Netherlands is reported at 32 days, which highlights the urgency for employers to adopt quick and efficient recruitment processes to remain competitive in attracting the right candidates.

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

In the past 12 weeks, the software engineering job market in the Netherlands has demonstrated notable fluctuations, with a peak of 678 new software developer roles posted in week 30. However, the market has also seen a significant number of job closures, reaching a high of 796 positions in week 26. This disparity, exemplified by a difference of -409 jobs in week 26, underscores the competitive landscape for software developers. Compared to other roles in the Netherlands and across Europe, such volatility highlights the need for effective recruitment strategies for CTOs and Engineering Managers aiming to secure talent in this dynamic software job market.

Who else is hiring for software Engineers in Netherlands:

Company name	Country	Industry	Founded	# Job openings
Jobster	Netherlands	Information Technology & Services	2023	84
Capgemini	France	Management Consulting	1967	61
Canonical	United Kingdom	Information Technology & Services	2004	42
ASSET Rail	Netherlands	Transportation/trucking/railroad	2007	34
Docentenmarktplaats.nl	Netherlands	Government Administration	2014	32
JYSK	Denmark	Retail	1979	30
CIMSOLUTIONS	Netherlands	Information Technology & Services	1992	27
Sopra Steria	France	Information Technology & Services	1968	25
Bilfinger België & Nederland	null	null	null	24
TieTalent	Switzerland	Information Technology & Services	2017	23

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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 reflect a dynamic landscape characterized by a significant number of job openings compared to the available talent pool. With a jobs-to-talent ratio that suggests a tighter market than neighboring countries like Germany, France, and Spain, hiring managers in the Netherlands may find it challenging to attract qualified candidates. Specifically, as the demand for software engineers continues to rise, the future demand for software engineers in the Netherlands could outpace the current talent supply. This scenario necessitates strategic recruitment strategies for CTOs and team leads in the tech sector. As hiring trends evolve, understanding the software developer opportunities in the Netherlands becomes crucial for effective talent acquisition.

Seniority distribution of Software Engineer job openings in Netherlands

Seniority Distribution of Software Engineering Jobs in Netherlands

The software engineering job market in the Netherlands is characterized by a significant demand for professionals across various seniority levels. Currently, 43% of available positions are for Mid-Senior level Software Engineers, followed by 31% for Entry level roles, and 12% for Associates. This distribution indicates a robust need for experienced developers, highlighting trends in hiring Senior Software Developers in the Netherlands and providing valuable insights for recruitment strategies for CTOs within the region.

Preferred employment type for Engineering roles in Netherlands

The employment type distribution within the engineering sector in the Netherlands reveals a strong preference for full-time positions, which account for 93% of job listings. In contrast, contract roles represent 6%, while part-time positions make up 2%. This data underscores the stability and commitment sought by employers in the software engineers job market trends in the Netherlands.

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 illustrates notable trends that hiring managers should consider. A significant portion of candidates, approximately 1,689 positions, are filled within 25 days, highlighting a proactive recruitment environment. As hiring timelines extend, the count gradually decreases, with only 21 roles taking over 100 days to fill. The most common hiring timeframe ranges between 10 to 30 days, encompassing over 2,700 positions. This data underscores the urgency for CTOs and Engineering Managers to refine their recruitment strategies to align with these market trends.

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Most popular cities in Netherlands to hire Software Engineers

Top 5 cities in Netherlands to hire Software Engineers

In the Netherlands, the software engineers job market is predominantly concentrated in Amsterdam, which accounts for 45% of the total job openings. Following Amsterdam, Utrecht contributes 19% to the software job market, while Rotterdam represents 11%. These top three cities together highlight the significant opportunities for software developers in the Netherlands, with additional insights provided in the attached chart.

Most sought after technologies in Netherlands for Software

Key technologies for Software Engineers

In the competitive landscape of the software job market in the Netherlands, several technologies stand out based on their frequency of usage. Java continues to dominate with a frequency of 10,493, reflecting its widespread adoption in enterprise applications. Closely following are Python and JavaScript, with 10,601 and 8,023 instances respectively, highlighting their importance in both web development and data science. Additionally, PHP and TypeScript are crucial players, with frequencies of 6,098 and 5,239. This data is visualized in the accompanying chart, providing a clear view of the most commonly used technologies for software jobs in the region.

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