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Working in Netherlands

ExpatINFO Holland

Information about working in the Netherlands, including Dutch work permit requirements, where to find job listings, how to apply for a position and CV/resume tips…

Dutch pharmaceutical company employee in Holland Netherlands

EU/EEA Nationals

Citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland do not need to have a visa, residence permit or work permit to be employed in the Netherlands.

However, family members of EEA and Swiss nationals, who are not EEA or Swiss nationals themselves, will need a residence and work permit in order to be employed in the Netherlands.

Non-EU/EEA Nationals

All other nationalities require both a residence permit and work permit to be employed in the Netherlands.

Students

One exception is a student who graduates from a Dutch research university or a university of applied sciences (HBO). If an international student from outside the EU/EEA has successfully completed a degree in the Netherlands, they can remain in the Netherlands for one additional year to seek permanent employment as a highly-skilled worker. During the search year, they are not required to have a work permit.

Work Permits

Only an employer can apply for a work permit (TWV), individuals cannot. More about work permits in the Netherlands.

FINDING EMPLOYMENT

English is the working language of many larger institutions in the Netherlands, including international organizations and multi-national corporations. This means it is possible to secure employment when only speaking English.

It is important however to realize that a job candidate fluent in a European language (such as French, German or Spanish) besides English will have an immediate advantage over an applicant who is not bi-lingual.

Native English speakers seeking lower-level positions can find employment opportunities with international call centers located in the Netherlands, especially in the Randstad region (the geographic area bordered by Amsterdam in the north, Rotterdam in the south, Utrecht in the east and The Hague in the west).

Various ways to find employment in the Netherlands include:

  • online job boards
  • directly applying to companies
  • recruitment firms
  • employment agencies
  • network contacts

Job Boards

There are many online job boards which advertise vacancies (vacature) in the Netherlands, and most allow jobseekers to post their own CVs/resumes for perusal by prospective employers.

Online sources of job openings include:

Direct Application

Companies typically post vacancies on their own website or sub-domain. The listings can usually be filtered by skill level, location and sometimes language requirements. Applications are submitted directly through the platform. See Largest Expat Employers in the Netherlands.

Employment & Recruitment Agencies

In the Netherlands, employment agencies generally deal with vacancies for non-specialised jobs, higher-level specialists and senior-level positions.

It is illegal for any company in the Netherlands to hire a non-EU/EEA national without a work permit. A major issue facing internationals is that most employment agencies advertise jobs which require a command of the Dutch language.

Approximately 4% of the Dutch workforce are employed by employment agencies, which assign them (on a temporary basis) to businesses or organisations. If an applicant’s situation allows employment in the Netherlands without a work permit (EU/EEA, Switzerland nationals), temporary work can be found through agencies such as USG, Undutchables, Adams Recruitment, Unique Multilinqual Services, Madison Parker, Randstadt, Manpower and Start.

Network Contacts

Over 60% of all job vacancies in the Netherlands are filled in less formal ways, thus building a large network of contacts in a specific area of expertise may prove beneficial when looking for a job. LinkedIn has become a leader in business networking, including here in the Netherlands; the website allows you to find people employed in a specific industry at city, region or national level.

APPLYING FOR A JOB

Most companies in the Netherlands will require an applicant to fill out an online application with their background. A copy of a CV/resume can usually be attached to the application.

The CV/resume should be tailored to the position being applied for and not exceed two A4 pages in length. It should start with work experience (in reverse chronological order), followed by education and then special interests and/or volunteer experiences.

Visit Werk.nl for more advice on applying for jobs in Netherlands.

Employment Requirements

To be eligible for employment in the Netherlands, applicants must have the following:

  • Valid identification document
  • Proof of health insurance
  • Valid work permit (if required)
  • Valid residence permit (if required)

Related information…

JOB CONTRACTS IN NETHERLANDS

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS IN HOLLAND

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