22 July 2026

On 20 July 2026, a final agreement was reached on the 2026–2027 Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU). This includes agreements on a structural salary increase of 3.1% and €50 gross per month as well as a one-off payment of up to €1,534 gross (based on a 38-hour contract, adjusted proportionally for part-time staff).

Salary increase as of September 2026

The CAO wage increase of 3.1% plus a gross €50 per month (adjusted for part-time contracts) takes effect on 1 July 2026. This increase will be paid out retroactively on Wednesday, 23 September.

One-off payment in September 2026

All staff employed* by the university on 1 July 2026 will receive a one-off payment of up to a €1,534 (based on a 38-hour contract, adjusted proportionally for part-time staff) with their September 2026 salary payment.

Because of the transition to a new pension system on 1 January 2027, this payment has been increased by the amount of the employer's pension contribution and does not count towards your ABP annual salary.

Payment of increase in special allowances in September

Allowances defined as a percentage of salary or in hours will increase in line with the salary increase starting in September, and retroactive from 1 July 2026.

Some employees receive allowances based on a fixed amount. If the increase applies to these allowances, it is expected to be paid in September, with retroactive effect from 1 July 2026.

Changes to on-call and attendance allowances effective from October

As of 1 October 2026, the on-call and attendance allowances (CAO Article 3.26) will be adjusted to an allowance of €3 per hour for on-call duty and €10 per hour for attendance duty.

Salary increase included in NHG employer's statement from September

The salary increase will be reflected in the NHG employer's statement starting 1 September 2026.

Up to and including 31 August 2026, the salary increase will not be included in the NHG employer's statement; however, a supplementary statement regarding the CAO salary increase will accompany every NHG employer's statement.

Other agreements in the new Collective Labour Agreement

In addition to the salary increase and one-off payment mentioned above, other agreements have been reached. A separate announcement regarding these will follow.

* With the exception of declarants, on-call workers, apprentices, employees on unpaid leave, and employees earning the statutory minimum wage (including employees with an occupational disability working under the Participation Act).

For employees receiving a Wajong benefit, the employer may choose not to pay the one-off payment if doing so is in the employee's best interest.