Chair rental — what it is, what it costs and what you actually keep

Chair rental is how thousands of self-employed professionals in the Netherlands work. You rent a workspace in a salon, studio or practice. You operate as an entrepreneur with your own business registration, your own clients, your own prices and your own payment system. The host provides the space and facilities — you bring the craftsmanship.

From hairdressers and barbers to nail technicians, beauty specialists, pedicurists, tattoo artists, massage therapists and personal trainers — wherever self-employed professionals share a workspace, chair rental is the standard model.

Are you a salon owner considering offering chair rental? This page is for you too — further down you'll find what to watch out for together.

How does chair rental work?

Chair rental revolves around three things: the host, the professional and the arrangement.

The host is the owner of the location — a salon, studio or practice. They offer more than just a chair. Think of a treatment station with equipment, materials, WiFi, utilities. Sometimes an appointment system or access to the salon's client base is included. What's included varies by location and is set out in the agreement.

The professional — that's you as a self-employed worker. You operate independently: your own clients, your own prices, your own schedule. You have your own card terminal or other payment system and handle payments yourself. You're also responsible for your own bookkeeping, your VAT returns and your insurance.

The arrangement determines what you pay for using the workspace. That can be a fixed amount per day, a percentage of your revenue, or a combination of both. But there's more than just workspace rent: your revenue can come from services and from selling products — your own products or the host's products. Different terms may apply to each category. The more possibilities, the more important it is to set everything out clearly in advance.

What sets chair rental apart from employment is the independence. You decide how you work, for whom and when. That's the freedom. The flip side: there's no fixed salary, no sick pay, no employer pension contributions. Everything is on your plate. That trade-off is part of entrepreneurship — and it's worth being honest about from the start.

Three business models — and the variations in between

Not every chair rental works the same way. The business model determines how much you keep — and it can differ from one arrangement to the next.

Variations and combinations

In practice there are more options than three boxes. You can agree on selling your own products, on selling the host's products — where the host pays you a share of the sale price — or on tiered commission. Sometimes you pay the host, sometimes the host pays you. Each arrangement can go in its own direction. That combination makes every situation unique — and it makes it all the more important to know exactly what you keep.

What should you look out for?

Make clear agreements — and put them in writing. A clear agreement protects both parties and is the foundation for working together with trust. Think in advance about what you want to agree on: the fee, but also what's included in terms of facilities and materials, how you handle the salon's clients versus your own, and what happens if you can't work. The advice is always: have an agreement reviewed by a legal professional.

Watch the client clause. Many agreements include provisions about clients — who do they belong to, and what are you allowed to do when the collaboration ends? Some contracts contain a non-compete clause that applies for months after termination. That's not unreasonable — a salon owner rightfully protects the reputation and client base built over years. But it is something to negotiate upfront, so it's fair for both parties.

Know your VAT rate. Hairdressing services fall under 9%, beauty and nail services under 21%, medical services sometimes under 0%. This directly affects what you keep net.

Count the hidden costs too. The daily rent isn't your only expense. Think of your own materials and products, training and certifications, liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance, travel costs and transaction fees on card payments. Only when you count everything do you know your bookkeeping as a chair renter is complete — and what you actually earn.

Work together professionally. Since January 2025 the Dutch Tax Authority has been enforcing more actively on bogus self-employment (Dutch: schijnzelfstandigheid). That may sound complicated, but it comes down to this: the collaboration with your host must be a genuine business relationship. You set your own prices, your working hours and how you do your work. A good contract helps demonstrate that independence. How to structure the collaboration professionally — from contract to financial agreements — you can read in setting up your collaboration.