Netherlands - why work abroad?

⇑Why work in this country?

The Netherlands is a country of 18.1 million people with an employment rate well above the EU average: 83.4% of people aged 20–64 have a job (EU: 76.1%).

Unemployment has edged up from 3.5% in 2022 to 3.9% in 2025, but it is still far below the EU average of 6.0%. Youth unemployment is low too: 8.8% among people aged 15–24, compared with 15.2% in the EU.

As an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen you do not need a residence permit or a work permit – your passport or ID card is enough, and your employer does not need a work permit (TWV) for you. Employers appreciate applications in Dutch, unless the job ad says otherwise.

⇑Where the jobs are

According to EURES labour market information, the Netherlands has persistent staff shortages in care, education, the public sector, ICT and technology. Occupations in short supply include:

• health and care – carers and nurses,
• education – primary school teachers,
• ICT – developers and security specialists,
• technical jobs and trades – mechanics, fitters and building trades workers,
• office jobs – business and administration associate professionals,
• science and engineering professionals.

Many IT and other specialists are employed by secondment agencies (detacheringsbureaus), which hire staff on contract and place them with client companies.

For graduates, the best chances are in ICT, engineering, healthcare and education – fields where employers struggle to find enough people.

⇑How to find a job

In the Netherlands more than 60% of vacancies are filled informally – through networks and contacts – so tell people you are looking and keep your LinkedIn profile up to date. Other channels:

• werk.nl – the job site of the public employment service UWV (in Dutch); registering with UWV is not compulsory,
• EURES – the EU job portal, plus EURES advisers who help with moving for work,
• Werken voor Nederland – jobs at ministries and other central government organisations,
• employment, recruitment and secondment agencies – they operate throughout the country,
• company websites, newspapers (most vacancies appear in the Saturday editions) and job fairs.

For step-by-step advice on job search, CVs and interviews in any EU country, see our How to find a job abroad – 10 practical guides.

⇑CV, application and interview

A Dutch application usually contains:

• a CV – professional and concise, at most two A4 pages: personal details, education, work experience (most recent first), hobbies and volunteer work; you can use the Europass CV,
• a cover letter of one A4 page – why you are applying, why you are suitable and that you would like to be invited for an interview.

Applications in Dutch are more appreciated, unless the ad says otherwise. Do not attach certificates and references – bring them to the interview.

The interview: the emphasis is on your motivation – why have you chosen this job with this company? Expect one or two interviewers and often more than one round; you will usually be able to ask questions. Dutch employers tend to reply fairly quickly – if you have heard nothing after 14 days, contact the company.

Diplomas: a credential evaluation from IDW (Nuffic) compares your foreign diploma with the Dutch education system, so employers understand its level.

⇑Pay and working conditions

• Minimum wage: from 1 July 2026 the statutory minimum wage is €14.99 gross an hour for workers aged 21 and over (€14.71 from 1 January 2026). Since 2024 there is only an hourly minimum – no fixed monthly amount. It is adjusted twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July; younger workers have lower youth rates.
• Holiday allowance: at least 8% of your gross annual salary, usually paid in May or June.
• Holidays: at least 4 times the number of days you work per week – 20 days a year in a five-day week. Statutory days must be taken by 1 July of the following year.
• Working time (age 18+): at most 12 hours a day and 60 hours a week, on average no more than 55 hours a week over 4 weeks and 48 hours over 16 weeks. After 5.5 hours of work you get a 30-minute break; you need at least 11 hours of rest after a working day and 36 hours of uninterrupted rest a week.
• Overtime is allowed within these limits and is generally paid at a higher rate – check your contract and collective labour agreement (cao).
• Written information: within one month of starting, your employer must give you the main terms in writing – job, workplace, hours, salary, trial and notice period, pension scheme and the cao that applies.

⇑Student jobs and internships

Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can work in the Netherlands freely, without any permit.

• Youth minimum wage: under 21 you are entitled to a lower hourly minimum. From 1 July 2026: €11.99 at 20, €8.99 at 19 and €7.50 at 18.
• Seasonal and holiday jobs: the minimum wage applies, but employers do not have to guarantee seasonal workers a fixed number of hours.
• Internships: pay is not compulsory – the employer decides. According to EURES, students usually receive between €150 and €750 a month (2026). As a trainee you have to arrange your own health insurance.

Students from outside the EU/EEA may work up to 16 hours a week, or full-time in June, July and August – but only if the employer has a work permit (TWV) for them. An internship that is part of your study programme does not need a TWV.

Thinking of studying there first? See Studying in Netherlands – practical information.

⇑Your first weeks: registration, tax and insurance

1. Register with your municipality (gemeente) in the Personal Records Database (BRP) if you will live in the Netherlands for more than 4 months. You must register in person within 5 days of arrival.
2. Citizen service number (BSN – burgerservicenummer): you get it when you register. You need it to be paid and for all contact with the Dutch government.
3. No residence document needed: as an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen your valid passport or ID card proves that you live in the Netherlands legally.
4. Health insurance: if you live or work in the Netherlands, you must take out Dutch basic health insurance – you have 4 months to do so, otherwise you may be fined. You may be entitled to a healthcare allowance (zorgtoeslag).
5. Tax: apply for a DigiD to deal with the tax office (Belastingdienst) online. If you were recruited from abroad, check the 30% facility: in 2026 up to 30% of your salary can be paid tax-free if you earn more than €48,013 a year (€36,497 if you are under 30 with a master’s degree) and lived more than 150 km from the Dutch border for more than 16 of the 24 months before you started.
6. Bank account: open one soon after you arrive.

Problems with your rights as an EU worker? Your Europe Advice and SOLVIT help for free.

⇑From outside the EU

If you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you need a residence permit, and in most cases your employer applies for it. The main routes:

• Orientation year (zoekjaar hoogopgeleiden): if you completed a master’s, PhD or research in the Netherlands – or a qualifying degree from a top-200 university abroad – in the last 3 years, you can get a residence permit for 1 year. You may work freely during this year; your employer does not need a work permit.
• Highly skilled migrant (kennismigrant): your employer must be a sponsor recognised by the IND and applies for you. Minimum gross monthly salary in 2026: €5,942 (age 30+), €4,357 (under 30) and €3,122 if you apply during your orientation year or within 3 years of graduating. Holiday allowance does not count.
• EU Blue Card: for graduates of higher education programmes of at least 3 years with a contract of at least 6 months. Minimum gross monthly salary in 2026: €5,942, or €4,754 under the reduced criterion.

All conditions and fees are on the website of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service: ind.nl.

⇑Sources and useful links

• Eurostat – population on 1 January, unemployment by age, employment rate (data for 2025 and 2026), monthly minimum wages,
• EURES – Living and working conditions: Netherlands, labour market information: Netherlands,
• Government of the Netherlands – minimum wage 2026, health insurance for newcomers,
• Business.gov.nl – Working Hours Act, holiday entitlement, holiday allowance,
• Netherlands Worldwide – registering with a municipality (BRP),
• IND – EU, EEA or Swiss citizens, working as a student, orientation year, highly skilled migrant, EU Blue Card, income requirements 2026,
• Belastingdienst – immigration checklist, 30% facility,
• UWV – werk.nl; central government jobs – Werken voor Nederland; Nuffic – IDW credential evaluation,
• Your Europe – working abroad.

Updated: October 2026.