Teen tool · Byte
For teens & first-time workers
First Salary Simulator
What does adult life actually cost? Adjust your gross salary and your costs to see what's left for you, your future and your fun.
“Your first salary feels huge — until you see what comes out for tax, rent and the rest. Better to see it now than to be surprised on payday.” — Byte
— Byte
Tight — covers life but leaves little for the future
Gross / month
€2400
€28800/year
Tax 32%
-€768
Net / month
€1632
Left after costs
€12
Where the gross goes
💡 Byte's suggested split for what's left
- ~€163 → emergency-fund building (target: 3 months of fixed costs)
- ~€82 → monthly investing (broad world ETF, ~7% historical)
- ~€0 → flexible buffer / extra fun
Fixed monthly costs
Things this calculator ignores
- Holiday allowance (NL: 8% extra, usually paid in May).
- Heffingskortingen (tax credits) — these LOWER your real tax.
- Pension contributions — usually deducted directly from gross.
- Bonuses, 13th month, WGA, etc.
Real wage slips are more complex. This sim is for getting a feeling, not for filing taxes.
⚠️ Educational only · Simplified NL 2026 model · Not financial advice · For real bruto/netto check the Belastingdienst calculator