Article · 20 October 2026 · 3 min
The same self-employed worker for fifteen years: is that allowed?
The Hague Court of Appeal ruled that fifteen years of working together does not create an employment contract. The client still had to pay — for a different reason.
If you have been working with the same locum for years, the question soon arises: does that automatically become employment at some point? A ruling by The Hague Court of Appeal, described by ZiPconomy, shows that duration in itself is not decisive. What you arrange sloppily around it does cost you money.
What happened
A web developer worked for almost fifteen years through his own company for the Unie van Waterschappen. When the assignment ended, he claimed an employment contract after all, with fair compensation of 180.000 euros at stake.
On appeal, The Hague Court of Appeal upheld the subdistrict court’s judgment: there was no employment contract. Fifteen years, and still no employment.
Where it did go wrong
The client did not walk away without a bill. The Unie had to pay 33.072 euros, because the notice period had not been handled properly.
That is the interesting part. It was not the length of the collaboration that caused a problem, but the way the parties parted ways.
What this means for a practice
This is not a dental case, and one ruling is not the law. Still, there is something useful in it for a practice that has been working with the same locum for years.
The lesson: the length of the collaboration is not where it breaks down. It breaks down on what you have arranged around it. Think of:
- what is on paper;
- how you part ways;
- which notice period you observe.
Honestly: you cannot conclude from this case that every long-running locum arrangement is safe. The court ruled on this situation, with this client, with these arrangements.
Set it up deliberately, don’t let it just happen
The message is not that self-employment in dental care is no longer possible. It works perfectly well. But then you have to set it up deliberately instead of letting it just happen.
Have you been working with the same locum for years? Then hold your own arrangement up against this: is there anything on paper, and what have you agreed about ending it and the notice period? Know what matters and get advice from someone who knows the rules. We are happy to take a look with you.
This article is not legal advice.
Sources
Questions about your own situation?
This article is general; your practice or your career is not. Put your question to us — you get an honest answer, including when that is “don’t do it”.