Aerospace
International HR specialist for the space sector. Inside the ESA ecosystem since 1987, with in-house 30% ruling processing and five-centre coverage from ESTEC to ECSAT.
39+
Years in aerospace HR
500+
Aerospace professionals placed
Let Octagon handle it
Tech-enabled HR experts, delivering with a personal touch since 1987.
Specialising in
Partnered with
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
By the numbers
The impact we make
Since 1987, we have built one of Europe's most trusted HR partnerships for international organisations.
1000+
Professionals placed
Over a thousand skilled professionals matched with the right roles across six European markets.
35+
Nationalities on staff
A truly international team that understands the nuances of cross-border employment.
6
European markets
Local compliance expertise across the Netherlands, UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Cyprus.
39+
Years of expertise
Decades of experience managing complex European HR, payroll, and recruitment challenges.
Find your path
Where are you in your journey?
Our services
Five pillars of expertise
Specialist HR services for regulated sectors, delivered across the full employee lifecycle in six European markets we run directly.
Our process
Our 5-phase approach
Tap a phase to see what we actually deliver — and what it means for the people on your team.
Phase 1 of 5
Enter the market
Set up compliant employment and a strong foundation for your team, wherever in Europe they sit.
For your people
Your first hires start with the right contract, real protections, and a name in The Hague they can actually call.
Industries
Industries we serve
Every industry has different employment challenges in the Netherlands. We have spent 39 years learning the specifics of each one.
Defence
International HR specialist for defence and dual-use technology. Rooted in the Hague international corridor, built on NL legal depth since 1987.
25+
Years serving defence
6
European markets
International organisations
International HR specialist for international organisations. Hague international corridor operator since 1987, long-standing client relationships with Europol and OPCW.
30+
Years serving int'l orgs
6
European markets
Technology and innovation
International HR specialist for technology. IND Recognised Sponsor, in-house 30% ruling, and own operational entities in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
39+
Years of HR expertise
6
European markets
Our entities
39 years of legacy, and growing
From our founding in The Hague in 1987 to six European entities today. Each office brings local expertise and a shared commitment to compliant, personal HR services.
Our home market since 1987. IND Recognised Sponsor submitting Highly Skilled Migrant visas inside the IND's two-week service standard (statutory maximum 90 days), with in-house 30% ruling for inbound hires. Trusted by Europol, OPCW, and the ESA ecosystem.
39+
Years in NL
5
Service pillars offered
35+
Nationalities on staff
Active UK sponsor licence holder with PAYE, RTI, auto-enrolment, and IR35 handled under one contract that ties directly to our Dutch operations. The rare cross-Channel HR partner running owned entities on both sides.
2019
Active since
Active
Sponsor licence
PAYE
Full payroll
Tarifvertrag alignment, Kuendigungsschutzgesetz compliance, and Betriebsrat coordination for international organisations hiring into Europe's largest economy. Supports aerospace, defence, and dual-use programmes across the Darmstadt corridor, including ESOC.
2024
Active since
EOR
Employer of Record
Tarif
Collective agreements
CCNL sector alignment, INPS social security administration, and TFR severance management for aerospace and defence programmes employing talent across Frascati (ESRIN) and the wider Italian industrial base.
2024
Active since
EOR
Employer of Record
CCNL
Collective agreements
Code du travail, URSSAF, and mutuelle administration for aerospace and defence organisations employing engineers around ESA Headquarters in Paris and the French aerospace cluster. The 35-hour week handled correctly.
2024
Active since
EOR
Employer of Record
RTT
Leave management
28 years on the ground since 1997. Social Insurance Fund administration, third-country work permits, and the Cyprus 50% rule for inbound executives, all run from an EU gateway at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa.
1997
Active since
EOR
Employer of Record
EU
Gateway to East Med
Why Octagon
Why choose Octagon?
International HR specialist for regulated sectors since 1987. We combine 39 years of Dutch and European employment-law depth with a tech-enabled operating model, acting as an extension of your team across aerospace, defence, international organisations, and technology.
Testimonials
What our clients say
“When one of our sales representatives in the Netherlands was called back to the MOL Logistics headquarters abroad, we needed to find somebody to take over their accounts. We worked with other recruitment agencies to find candidates, but Octagon Professionals was the only one who expanded their search outside of the Netherlands until we found the perfect fit.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation“Octagon and AHF have always shared similar values, which is why we think of them whenever we need to grow our team. I'm impressed that an organisation like Octagon is so cognizant of opportunities to make a positive impact on the global community. It's always a pleasure to be able to unite with the Octagon team and support each other for a good cause.
“It's great to have a business partner like Octagon. Since our very first meeting, Octagon supported us with everything we needed in the HR field. From payrolling several hundred professionals worldwide to supporting with daily HR tasks. Octagon is and still remains a great partner for us.
“Octagon has enabled us to work seriously and find the right candidates. They are serious about finding the right cultural match: one of the most important aspects for a relatively small team like us. That's why the Octagon team is great for any growing team, or company trying to grow quickly.
“We needed to hire two sales managers with very specific experience, and on very short notice. The sales managers we hired thanks to Octagon's recruitment team are still contributing towards the growth and expansion of our business. I would recommend Octagon's broad talent portfolio and precise service to any company looking to hire skilled people that fit your needs exactly.
“When one of our sales representatives in the Netherlands was called back to the MOL Logistics headquarters abroad, we needed to find somebody to take over their accounts. We worked with other recruitment agencies to find candidates, but Octagon Professionals was the only one who expanded their search outside of the Netherlands until we found the perfect fit.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation“Octagon and AHF have always shared similar values, which is why we think of them whenever we need to grow our team. I'm impressed that an organisation like Octagon is so cognizant of opportunities to make a positive impact on the global community. It's always a pleasure to be able to unite with the Octagon team and support each other for a good cause.
“It's great to have a business partner like Octagon. Since our very first meeting, Octagon supported us with everything we needed in the HR field. From payrolling several hundred professionals worldwide to supporting with daily HR tasks. Octagon is and still remains a great partner for us.
“Octagon has enabled us to work seriously and find the right candidates. They are serious about finding the right cultural match: one of the most important aspects for a relatively small team like us. That's why the Octagon team is great for any growing team, or company trying to grow quickly.
“We needed to hire two sales managers with very specific experience, and on very short notice. The sales managers we hired thanks to Octagon's recruitment team are still contributing towards the growth and expansion of our business. I would recommend Octagon's broad talent portfolio and precise service to any company looking to hire skilled people that fit your needs exactly.
Partner with leading organisations
AIDS Healthcare FoundationAIDS Healthcare FoundationClient success stories
Real outcomes from real engagements
Every story represents a challenge solved, a team built, or a compliance risk eliminated.
Scaling a classified multi-country workforce
Challenge
A major aerospace programme needed to scale a multinational engineering team of 200+ contractors across classified programmes in three European countries, each with different employment law, security clearance requirements, and social security frameworks.
Result
All positions filled within programme timelines across a long-standing programme partnership.
3
Countries, one contract
From zero to operational in six weeks
Challenge
An international technology company needed to establish a Dutch hub with 50+ professionals from 12 nationalities. Each hire required HSM visa sponsorship, 30% ruling applications, and compliant Dutch employment contracts, all within an aggressive six-week timeline.
Result
Team fully operational within 6 weeks. All visa and tax rulings secured.
6
Weeks to full team
Staffing a treaty-based organisation
Challenge
A treaty-based international organisation needed to fill cybersecurity and data analytics roles under a complex employment framework involving privileges and immunities, host-country agreements, and multi-national payroll obligations.
Result
Framework agreement established. Consistent delivery of cleared, qualified professionals across operational divisions over multiple years.
Multi-year
Framework agreement
Eliminating contractor misclassification risk
Challenge
An international organisation operating in the Netherlands had been engaging a significant portion of its workforce as independent contractors. Under the Wet DBA and upcoming VBAR legislation, this exposed the client to substantial back-payment obligations, tax penalties, and reputational risk with Dutch authorities.
Result
All misclassified engagements resolved before enforcement began. Ongoing compliance monitoring framework in place.
All
Engagements resolved
Security-cleared talent for classified programmes
Challenge
A classified defence programme required 80+ security-cleared professionals across multiple European sites, with strict AIVD/MIVD vetting timelines and national security constraints that standard recruiters could not navigate.
Result
All positions filled within programme deadlines. Ongoing partnership across multiple classified programmes.
80+
Positions filled on time
Multi-country payroll consolidation
Challenge
A growing technology company was managing payroll through separate providers in four European countries, leading to inconsistent reporting, missed statutory deadlines, and duplicated administration costs.
Result
Reporting streamlined and admin overhead significantly reduced. Single monthly invoice replacing four separate vendor relationships.
4→1
Vendors consolidated
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Start a conversation
Let's plan your first European hire.
Whether you are entering the Netherlands, expanding across Europe, or looking for a better HR partner, our team is ready to listen. With a personal touch.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your HR, payroll, or recruitment needs across Europe.
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