Hourly rate calculator for freelancers
Enter what you want to earn, what your costs are and how many hours you bill. You see your hourly rate without VAT and with VAT.
Your hourly rate is €53.09 excluding VAT.
| Billable hours per year | 1,408 hours |
|---|---|
| Needed per year | €74,750.00 |
| Hourly rate excluding VAT | €53.09 |
| Hourly rate including VAT (21%) | €64.24 |
You still pay income tax on this rate. Keep part of it aside for that.
How to calculate your hourly rate
| Step | Formula |
|---|---|
| Billable hours per year | hours per week × working weeks per year |
| Needed per year | (income + costs) × (1 + buffer) |
| Hourly rate excluding VAT | needed per year ÷ billable hours |
| Hourly rate including VAT | rate × 1.21 |
An example. You want €60,000 gross per year and your costs are €5,000. You bill 32 hours per week and work 44 weeks. That is 1,408 hours per year. With a 15% buffer you need: (€60,000 + €5,000) × 1.15 = €74,750. Divide that by 1,408 hours and your rate is €53.09 excluding VAT, or €64.24 including 21% VAT.
What the buffer is for
- Pension. Nobody builds one up for you, so you set money aside yourself.
- Illness. No employer keeps paying you if you cannot work for a while.
- Quiet weeks. Not every week is full of billable work.
Only count the hours you really charge to clients. Time for admin and finding work is already in the rate. Also read how to set your hourly rate and how many hours you need for the self-employed deduction (zelfstandigenaftrek).
Note. This rate is gross and excludes income tax. If you pay tax through a provisional assessment (voorlopige aanslag), include it in what you set aside each month.
Questions
Is VAT included in my hourly rate?
No. Your rate excludes VAT and you add the VAT on top on your invoice. For most services that is 21%.
How many billable hours do I enter?
Only the hours you charge to clients. Admin, finding work and learning do not count, so use fewer hours than you work.
What do I enter for the buffer?
Extra in percent on top of your income and costs, for pension, illness and quiet weeks. With 15% you use 1.15 times income plus costs. To see the bare rate, enter 0.
Is what I enter stored?
No. The calculation happens when the page loads and nothing is stored.
Read next
Sources
A calculator, not tax advice. Amounts are for 2026, updated 24 September 2026. Nothing you enter is kept. Also available as Markdown.