Order picker, packer and forklift roles are among the most accessible European jobs for non-EU workers: formal qualifications are rarely required, agencies hire year-round and e-commerce keeps demand steady. Pay usually starts close to the legal minimum wage and climbs with night shifts, forklift certificates and overtime.
Warehouse Worker pay by country (gross, monthly)
Figures are typical 2026 gross ranges — actual pay depends on contract, region, shifts and collective agreements. EU minimum wages apply to foreign workers in full.
What changes the number
Shift pattern is the biggest lever. Night, weekend and holiday shifts typically add 10 – 50% on top of base pay under national rules or collective agreements, so a picker on rotating shifts can out-earn a day-only colleague by several hundred euros a month.
Certificates matter as well: licensed forklift and reach-truck drivers usually earn €150 – €400 more per month than general operatives, and cold-store work often carries its own premium. Big hubs near Rotterdam, Venlo, Liège or Leipzig tend to pay above smaller towns.
- Night and weekend shifts: typically +10 – 50% supplements
- Forklift or reach-truck licence: roughly +€150 – €400 a month
- Cold-store and hazardous-goods work often pays a premium
Gross vs net: what you actually keep
Every figure here is gross. At warehouse wage levels most workers keep roughly 65 – 75% after tax and social contributions, so €2,500 gross in Germany is usually around €1,800 net for a single person, while €1,400 gross in Spain leaves roughly €1,150 – €1,250.
Agencies in the Netherlands and Germany sometimes deduct housing and transport from pay. Always ask for the amount you will receive after those deductions and compare it with local living costs before signing anything.
How foreign workers earn more
EU minimum wages apply fully to foreign workers, including agency staff. The fastest route up is a forklift licence, then reach truck, then team-leader or quality-control roles, with each step adding pay.
Learning basic local language often unlocks a permanent contract, which typically pays better than agency work and adds holiday bonuses. Many workers also start in Poland or Czechia to gain EU experience, then move to the Netherlands or Germany where the same shift pays roughly twice as much.
Frequently asked questions
How much do warehouse workers earn in the Netherlands?
Typically around €2,400 – €3,000 gross per month including shift allowances in 2026, in line with the Dutch minimum wage of roughly €2,400. Large logistics hubs such as Rotterdam, Venlo and Tilburg often pay at the upper end.
Do I need experience to get a warehouse job in Europe?
Usually no. Most order picker and packer roles train you on the job within days. A forklift certificate, basic English and reliability matter far more to agencies and employers than previous warehouse experience.
How much more do night shifts pay in warehouses?
Night work typically adds around 10 – 50% to the hourly rate depending on the country and collective agreement. On a German or Dutch base wage that can mean an extra €200 – €500 gross in a month of regular nights.
Can non-EU citizens get warehouse jobs in Europe?
Yes, though most Western countries require an employer-sponsored work permit. Poland and Czechia issue large numbers of permits for logistics staff, which is why many non-EU workers start there before moving west with EU experience.
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