The labor market is changing. Companies are seeking flexibility, specialized knowledge, and agility. Freelancers are playing an increasingly important role in this. Not as a last resort, but as a strategic part of the organization. But what is actually happening in the market? Is the number of freelancers still growing? Or is there actually a decline due to stricter regulations? And most importantly; why does it pay for companies to continue collaborating with freelancers on a structural basis? In this blog, we outline the facts and explain why platforms like Eleanor are more important now than ever.

The freelance market in 2025: growth and shift

Over the past ten years, the number of self-employed has grown explosively. According to the Chamber of Commerce (KVK), the number of freelancers increased by 85% during this period. Freelancing has thus become a solid part of the Dutch labor market. But in 2025, we also see an interesting shift. CBS and other sources report a slight decline in the number of freelancers, especially in B2C professions such as hairdressers, photographers, and personal trainers. These are the groups where the risk of false self-employment is higher and the tightened DBA Law has a quicker impact.

At the same time, one group remains particularly stable: business B2B specialists, such as developers, designers, project managers, marketers, and consultants. These freelancers work on a project basis, have multiple clients, and therefore fall less quickly into risk categories surrounding false self-employment. Companies continue to actively engage them because they bring specialized knowledge, can quickly integrate into projects, and add immediate value within teams.

In short, the market is changing, but freelancers remain a crucial link in future-oriented and agile organizations.

Why freelancers are a lasting part of future-ready teams 

1. Flexibility without concessions

Organizations increasingly deal with peaks, temporary projects, or phased growth.
Freelancers offer agility. You can upscale when needed and downscale once a project is completed, without complex contracts or reorganizations.

2. Access to specialized knowledge

Many freelancers specialize in a niche. Think of: AI marketers, UX writers, SEA specialists, interim product leads, data analysts, and implementation consultants. They bring knowledge that is often lacking in teams and is too expensive or scarce to hire full-time.

3. Innovation often comes from outside

Freelancers work at multiple organizations and therefore see trends, tools, and working methods earlier. With that fresh perspective, they can improve processes, accelerate innovations, and train or mature teams. For scale-ups and growing companies, that is invaluable.

4. Costs remain manageable

No employer expenses and no long-term obligations. Companies only pay for the actual hours or output, making total costs more predictable and often lower.

New challenges: laws and regulations, false self-employment, and uncertainty

However, working with freelancers also brings new challenges:

• Enforcement of the DBA Law has been stricter since 2025

• The new VBAR bill has been announced (but not yet implemented)

• Companies need to be more careful about how collaborations are structured

• False self-employment is lurking in some constructions

Additionally, it is challenging for many organizations to:

• Find the right freelancers

• Assess quality

• Legally establish agreements properly

• Build sustainable relationships

• Keep the process simple and transparent

And that is precisely where Eleanor comes into the picture.

How Eleanor helps companies work structurally with freelancers

Eleanor is built on one clear idea: the best matches arise from reliable connections, not from databases full of random profiles. The platform is designed to help both freelancers and clients in a way that is transparent, careful, compliant with laws and regulations, and human-centered.

1. Matching based on real connections

No anonymous profiles, but freelancers recommended by people who truly know them. This ensures higher quality, less risk, a better fit within teams, and faster onboarding.

2. Contracts that comply with the rules

Eleanor offers contracts that align with current laws and regulations. Additionally, the platform actively follows developments around the DBA Law and VBAR, ensuring that collaborations remain safe and future-proof. 

3. Project-based working as the standard

Eleanor supports working based on concrete assignments with clear scope, clear responsibilities, and transparent conditions. Essentially, exactly how the tax authorities prefer it.

4. Always insight and clarity

Hours, rates, agreements, payments. Everything is neatly organized in one place, for both parties.

5. A network that grows together

Freelancers earn extra through referrals, making the community more active, better filled with proven professionals, and stronger for clients.

Why freelancers remain indispensable in a changing market

The freelance market is changing, but one thing remains clear: companies that work structurally with freelancers remain more agile, more innovative, and better prepared for growth. The challenge is not only in finding freelancers but also in organizing collaborations well: transparently, in line with laws and regulations, and based on trust. And that is exactly what Eleanor enables, for both clients and freelancers.

🔗 Want to discover how simple and pleasant collaboration can be?
Check out the platform at Eleanor.tech.

Sources: CBS, KVK, ZiPconomy, Dutch IT Channel (2024–2025).