Pet sitting in Netherlands: 22 questions answered for 2026 sitters

Earnings depend on the mix of services and the hours you put in. Active Petme sitters in the Netherlands typically earn €344–€1032 per month. Sitters who lean into overnight boarding and house sitting reach the top of that range, while drop-in and dog-walking-only sitters sit in the lower half. You keep up to 90% of every booking: Petme's service fee is 10-15%.

A common pattern: 3–5 dog walks during weekday lunchtimes, 1–2 drop-in visits in the evenings, and one overnight stay across the weekend. That's roughly 12–15 hours of actual paid time per week and clears €95+ before factoring in repeat clients. Sitters who go full-time stack multiple boarding stays back-to-back.

Dog walking pays €10–€20 per walk on Petme. A 30-minute neighbourhood walk is typically priced near the lower end; longer walks, multi-dog walks, or walks in busy city centres command the upper end. You set your own rate when you build your profile.

Boarding at the sitter's home pays €25–€50 per night, and house sitting (you stay at the owner's home) pays €35–€60 per night. Boarding is where most full-time Petme sitters concentrate their income because the per-booking value is the highest.

Petme takes 10-15% from each completed booking and the sitter keeps up to 90%. There's no signup cost, no monthly subscription, and no charge to keep your profile live. The fee covers payment processing, customer support, and the Petme Protection Plan that covers every booking automatically.

Payouts are released automatically once a booking is marked complete in the Petme app. The money lands in your bank account within 2 business days. You don't need to invoice the owner or chase payment: the platform handles it end-to-end.

Every booking is covered by the Petme Protection Plan, which includes up to 20,000 in veterinary expenses if something happens to the pet in your care. It's automatic on every reservation: no separate purchase, no claim paperwork upfront. Petme also offers 24/7 customer support so you're never left handling an emergency alone.

No formal qualifications are required to apply as a Petme sitter. You need to be 18 or older, own a smartphone capable of running the app, complete ID verification, and demonstrate genuine experience around animals during your profile review. Some local rules apply for commercial-scale boarding: see the country-specific question below.

Most new sitters in the Netherlands go live within 24–48 hours of submitting verification. Your first booking typically lands within 1–2 weeks if your profile has at least 4 good photos, a written bio, clear service descriptions, and a competitive rate for your city. Sitters who add availability over a major holiday (Christmas, summer break) often book their first stay within days.

Yes: most Petme sitters in the Netherlands start while working full-time elsewhere. Dog walking fits into lunchtime windows; drop-in visits work around evenings; weekend boarding stacks on top of a Monday-to-Friday office job. You set your own availability and accept only the bookings that fit your schedule.

Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague dominate booking volume. Eindhoven and Groningen are growing fast: sitter supply is thinner there and new applicants book their first stay quickly. Haarlem and Leiden punch above their size because of high dog-ownership rates per capita.

For regular pet sitting income, yes. You register with the KvK as ZZP'er, which takes about 30 minutes online. The KvK issues a BTW number; you also notify the Belastingdienst. New ZZP'ers benefit from zelfstandigenaftrek (€3,750) and startersaftrek for the first three years, which materially reduces tax.

Yes. As ZZP, you submit quarterly BTW declarations (or annual under the kleineondernemersregeling if you stay under €20,000) and an annual income tax return. Expenses (gear, share of home utilities for boarding, bike costs) are deductible.

Thuisbezorgd and Uber Eats riders in Amsterdam report €9-12 per hour after bike maintenance and weather. Petme pet sitting clears €13-20 hourly effectively, with no rain-on-the-bike component. Boarding pushes the per-hour rate higher.

Amsterdam sits at €30-50 per night, Utrecht and The Hague at €28-45, Rotterdam at €25-45. Apartments with a private garden or roof terrace command the upper end. Smaller cities sit at €22-40.

Mid-July to end of August (zomervakantie) is the largest stretch. Christmas-New-Year is the second peak. Voorjaarsvakantie in February and meivakantie in late April are smaller but reliable. Easter weekend drives a small spike.

For most sitters, yes. Dutch minimum wage is €14.06/hour (21+, 2025). Petme dog walkers in Amsterdam and Utrecht clear €15-22 hourly effectively, and ZZP tax deductions widen the gap further. Boarding sitters earn substantially more.

Rates are similar in absolute € terms but Dutch tax structure (ZZP with KvK) is simpler than Belgian (indépendant complémentaire or principal). Dutch dog-ownership culture is also more apartment-based which means more sitters with city-centre availability.

Labradors, Cockapoos, Whippets, and Dachshunds dominate Petme bookings. Whippets need warm blankets in Dutch winters. Doodles need brushing. Dachshunds need stair-protection. The Amsterdam staple: small apartment-friendly mixes: are typically easy first bookings for new sitters.

Yes: active sitter WhatsApp groups exist in Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam. They share KvK paperwork tips, recommend 24-hour dierenartsen, and trade overbookings. We'll connect you after approval.

"Schrijf je in bij de KvK voor je eerste boeking. De zelfstandigenaftrek over je hele jaar is meer waard dan een paar weken wachten." (Thomas D., Amsterdam)"

Apply at petme.social/nl/become-a-pet-sitter. The form is in English and Dutch; verification is typically back within 48 hours.