Booking child models in Netherlands.
What the official sources say about permits, hours, school, supervision and earnings for models under 18. Checked October 2026.
Who decides
Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie (Netherlands Labour Authority), through its online reporting portal.
Permit or licence
Children under 13 may not work in the Netherlands. An exemption (ontheffing) is possible only for cultural or artistic work. Examples given include fashion shows and audio, visual or audiovisual recordings, online and offline (Arbeidsinspectie). An exemption is needed if the child works under an oral or written agreement, or in a commercial setting, including online. Payment and whether the child sees it as work do not matter. Rehearsals also need it (Arboportaal). It has two steps: approval of the type of work, then an individual exemption per child and work moment. The person with authority over the child during the work applies, such as the employer, parent or producer. A casting agency that only arranges casting is not that person (Arbeidsinspectie). Apply in good time before the work starts. Getting an authorisation code can take up to 5 working days.
Age bands
Under 7, and 7 to under 13. From 13 the exemption regime does not apply. The sources checked do not set out modelling rules for ages 13 to 17.
Working hours
Under 7: 2 hours per school day; 4 hours on a non school day or holiday. Breaks, waiting time and rehearsals count as work time. Maximum 6 days per year of age and 3 days per week. Rest at least 14 hours a day and in any case between 19:00 and 08:00. Age 7 to 13: 4 hours per school day; 7 hours on a non school day; 12 hours a week in a school week. Maximum 24 days per year of age and 3 days per week. Rest of 14 hours, in any case between 23:00 and 08:00. A break of at least 30 minutes if working more than 4.5 hours. At least 2 weeks off in a row in the summer holiday. Sunday: working Sunday means the Saturday before is free. Ages 7 to 13 need at least 5 free Sundays per 16 weeks. Under 7 only by exception (Rijksoverheid).
School
Limits are lower on school days than on non school days, as listed under hours. No other school rule is stated in the sources checked.
Chaperone and supervision
Children must be supervised by a qualified person (deskundige) before, during and after the performance (Rijksoverheid).
Earnings
Not stated in the sources checked.
Good to know
No exemption is needed for an occasional, unpaid, non commercial performance in a private setting, such as a school show (Rijksoverheid). The Inspectorate may ask for your risk assessment (RI&E). Wrong information can lead to a sanction.