Calculate your hourly rate: what should you charge as a freelancer?
Enter what you want to keep net per month and instantly see the hourly rate that goes with it. Tax, business costs and pension are included, with realistic billable hours.
Assumption: 46 billable weeks per year. Sales, administration, holidays and sick days are already accounted for.
Required hourly rate (excl. VAT)
€53/hr
€68,801 revenue per year at 1288 billable hours
How this was calculated
| Desired net per year | €42,000 |
| Income tax and Zvw contribution | +€16,321 |
| Pension reservation | +€6,480 |
| Required profit | €64,801 |
| Business costs | +€4,000 |
| Required revenue per year | €68,801 |
Divided by 1288 billable hours that is €53 per hour. Round up in your quotes; a buffer for quiet months is no luxury.
This calculation is an indication based on the 2026 figures and does not take into account your personal situation, other income or deductions. No rights can be derived from it; it is not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good hourly rate for a freelancer?
That differs per trade and region, so do not fixate on what is 'usual'. Better to work backwards from what you want to keep net per month, with tax, costs, pension and non-billable time included. That is exactly what this calculator does.
Why should my hourly rate be higher than my employed wage?
Because you pay for your own pension, insurance, holidays, sick days and empty weeks, and because not every hour worked is billable. As a rule of thumb you quickly need one and a half to two times your gross hourly wage to come out the same net.
How many billable hours does the calculator use?
A realistic number of billable weeks per year: acquisition, admin, holidays and sick days are already deducted. You set the hours per week yourself, so part-time calculates just as easily.
Does the calculator account for tax and deductions?
Yes: the 2026 brackets, the self-employed deduction, optionally the starter's deduction, the SME profit exemption and your pension reservation. The rate it produces really does deliver the net amount you asked for.
Rate set? Now start tracking your hours.
With Finq you track hours in a calendar and put them on a professional PDF invoice in one click. Free, without limits.