Hidden costs of a local hire, what are you not counting?
The gross salary is only the tip of the iceberg. Employer contributions, secondary benefits, workspace, training, absence. A local hire often costs 50% more than you think.
The facts lined up what is the difference?
The choice between different staffing options often determines the difference between scaling and standing still. We give an honest overview, not a sales pitch. Our position is clear: for most situations remote international staff delivers a better ROI than hiring locally, provided it is well supported. Local hire: ~€90,000/year all-in.
What we cover here is based on 200+ matches we have guided over the past years. We share what works, what doesn't work, and which pitfalls you can avoid. Read also: more about Remote Opus.
The hard numbers
A local medior specialist costs on average €4,500 gross per month, plus roughly 30% employer contributions and benefits. Total all-in: ~€6,000 per month. A comparable remote specialist through Remote Opus: from custom per month, everything included. That is a saving of 65-85% per FTE.
Dat verschil tussen loonstrook en werkelijke kosten is landelijk zichtbaar. Van de 556,0 miljard euro aan loonkosten in Nederland over 2025 ging 429,5 miljard euro naar brutolonen. De resterende 128,5 miljard euro zijn werkgeverspremies, kosten die nooit op een loonstrook van een medewerker verschijnen.
Bron: CBS, Loonkosten, cijfers over 2025.
But money isn't everything
True. Quality, speed, control and legal certainty count too. That is why we work with vetted talent, local offices in Suriname and Namibia, full payrolling, and a replacement guarantee. The best of both worlds: cost savings without compromise.
The decision process step by step.
We deliberately keep our process simple. You don't need to be a recruiter to have a suitable specialist on board within two weeks. Here's what it looks like:
- Introductory call (day 1) We map out your needs: role, experience, culture, budget and time zone preferences. Free, no obligation and in 20 minutes.
- Sourcing & screening (days 2-7) Our team selects candidates from our network and conducts skills assessments and cultural fit interviews.
- Shortlist presentation (days 8-10) You receive 3 pre-selected candidates with portfolio, video intro and assessment results.
- Interviews & start (days 11-14) You conduct the final interviews. We take care of contracts, payrolling and onboarding.
Our conclusion and honest recommendation.
We are not a recruiter and not a staffing agency. We are a matching partner that stays involved as long as needed. In concrete terms, that means:
Tailored matching
No database search. We select candidates who fit your organization, culture and goals — personally and thoroughly.
Legal & payrolling taken care of
Contracts, taxes, payroll administration and HR in the employee's country. We arrange everything. Nothing for you to worry about.
Ready within 1 to 2 weeks
From introductory call to first working day in two weeks on average. No long searches, no hassle.
What our clients say.
The experiences of Dutch e-commerce entrepreneurs and agencies working with Remote Opus.
"We freed up 40% more time, which resulted in strong revenue growth. Our remote specialist understands e-commerce inside out."
"I can deploy four remote employees for the price of one local hire. The quality is high and they are always available in our time zone."
"Remote Opus exceeded all expectations. They found a true GoHighLevel specialist and thanks to him I have achieved great growth in clients."
"A great experience. The selection went smoothly and we decided quickly because they have very good candidates who fit our agency perfectly."
Frequently asked questions about hidden costs of a local hire.
How long does it take to hire someone for hidden costs of a local hire?
At Remote Opus, we match you with a suitable specialist within an average of 14 days. For highly specialized roles, this can take up to 21 days. We always present at least 3 pre-selected candidates.
What do the hidden costs of a local hire cost?
Pricing starts Local hire: ~€90,000/year all-in. This is a fixed monthly rate, transparent and including contracts, payrolling, HR and compliance. No setup fees, no hidden costs.
Which countries do your specialists come from?
Depending on the role and language: Suriname (Dutch-speaking), Namibia (German-speaking), or the Philippines, India and Pakistan (English-speaking). All educated at HBO+ (bachelor) level, fluent in the relevant language and trained in Western work culture.
What if the match doesn't work out?
We offer a free replacement. If the collaboration doesn't work out for any reason, we replace the specialist at no extra cost. In addition, you can cancel monthly with a notice period of one calendar month.
Book your introductory call.
Pick a time that suits you. 20 minutes, no obligation, and you'll know right away where you stand.
One call. Everything changes.
Schedule a no-obligation introductory call right away. No commitments, just a good conversation about the possibilities for your organization.
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