Thinking of working in the Netherlands? This comprehensive article covers the essential information you need to know about working in the Netherlands such as who can apply for jobs, and information on residence permits and work permits.
Any citizen of an EEA member country can work and live in the Netherlands, though certain conditions must be met and exceptions might apply. Though there are numerous ways to find jobs, the Internet is becoming the dominant medium. 'Short and businesslike' are the keywords for your CV and application letter. In addition, the candidate's motivation is one of the basic selection criteria for Dutch recruiters. Last but not least: make sure to check if your educational diplomas and degrees are valid in the Netherlands.
Who can apply for jobs in the Netherlands?
EEA nationals
In principle, the EU & European Economic Area (EEA) allow for the free movement of money, goods, services and persons. This means that its inhabitants are allowed to live and work in any other member state. This free movement of persons already exists between most of the member states of the EU/EEA. These are currently: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Germany, Finland, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxemburg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Poland, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Slovenia, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
EEA nationals working in the Netherlands have the same rights as nationals of this country regarding pay, working conditions, access to housing, vocational training, social security and trade union membership. Families and immediate dependants are entitled to join them and have similar rights.
Citizen Service Number (formerly Sofinumber)
In order to work in the Netherlands you need a Citizen Service Number (Burger Servicenummer or, in short, BSN) after January 1st, 2007. This number means you are registered in the tax and social security system. You can apply for a Citizen Service Number at the local office of the Tax and Customs Administration.
If you work in paid employment, your employer will deduct social security contributions and tax from your wage and pay these amounts to the concerned authorities. This payment occurs in advance of the income tax return, which you have to complete once a year. For more information and the addresses of tax offices visit www.belastingdienst.nl or phone 0800 - 0543 (from the Netherlands) or +31 555 38 53 85 (from abroad).
Residence Permit and Identification
Citizens from EU/EEA member states, do not need a residence permit in order to be allowed to work in the Netherlands. Once you have been in the Netherlands for more than 3 months, you should register with the IND. For more information consult the IND website www.ind.nl. On this website you will find a 'residence wizard' through which you can find out about the rules for residency in the Netherlands for yourself and any family members.
Even if not directly needed, a residence permit can come in handy: sometimes employers ask for it before they enter into a contract with you, banks also ask for it when you open a bank account and other official institutions ask for this document as well. You can apply for a residence permit at the IND office nearest to where you are residing. As of 1 January 2005 everyone aged 14 or older must be able to submit valid identification documents to prove his or her identity. If you are a national of one of the EU member states or of the European Economic Area, you can identify yourself with a passport or an EU/EEA aliens document.
If you are a national of Bulgaria or Romania you are required to apply for a residence permit (proof of lawful residence).
You are applying for an mvv or residence permit to work in the Netherlands as an employee, or on a self-employed basis. In some cases an employer can start the procedure via the IND Office for Labour and Highly Skilled Migrants. Below is an overview of the specific requirements you will need to meet. You can find further information about the procedure for knowledge and employment migrants at www.ind.nl or in the brochure ‘Bringing a foreign employee to the Netherlands’.
You wish to work as an employee
– You are going to work as a paid employee and have an employment contract which guarantees you an independent income
– Your employer has applied for a work permit
– You have sufficient long-term means of support
What is a work permit (twv)?
In most cases, an employer will need a work permit if he wishes to bring a foreign employee to the Netherlands. Your employer can apply for the twv at the UWV WERKbedrijf. You cannot make the application yourself. Once you are in the Netherlands, you will need to apply for a residence permit yourself. When you do so, you will need to hand over a copy of the twv application. If the UWV WERKbedrijf issues a twv to your employer, the UWV WERKbedrijf will let the IND know that it has done so. You can only be issued with a residence permit once this has happened.
You wish to work as a highly skilled migrant (in employment)
– You are going to work as a paid employee and have an employment contract which guarantees you an independent sustainable income
– You are 30 years of age or over and earn a gross annual income of at least € 49,087*. Or you are below the age of 30 and you earn a gross annual income of at least € 35,997*. Or you have graduated in the Netherlands and you earn a gross annual income of € 25,800* These income criteria do not apply if you are working in the Netherlands for the purpose of scientific research or if you are a doctor in training to become a specialist. In that case, your income must be at least equivalent to the social assistance benefit level
– Your employer has signed a standard statement to effect the admission and residence of a highly skilled migrant, which means he or she takes on a number of responsibilities regarding your stay in the Netherlands
* Please note! These amounts apply to 2009 and are indexed on an annual basis.
You wish to work as a trainee
– You wish to complete a work placement to finalise education followed abroad
– You have a work placement agreement
– You wish to undertake a traineeship in the Netherlands for a maximum of one year
– You have sufficient long-term means of support
– Your employer has applied for a work permit. You wish to work for the purpose of work experience
– You are coming to the Netherlands for a maximum of 24 weeks
– You wish to work in the Netherlands to gain work experience
– You have an employment contract
– You have sufficient long-term means of support
– Your employer has applied for a work permit
You wish to work as a guest lecturer
– You have an employment contract
– You have sufficient long-term means of support
– If you wish to work in the Netherlands for more than one year, your employer will need to have applied for a work permit
You wish to work as a salaried scientific researcher
– You have an employment contract
– You have sufficient long-term means of support
– Your employer has applied for a work permit
You wish to work as a non-salaried scientific researcher
– You are coming to the Netherlands for the purpose of conducting temporary research
– You are in receipt of a grant from the Dutch government or a Dutch educational or research institute or the European Union
– You have sufficient long-term means of support
You wish to work for the purpose of working as a scientific researcher pursuant to and within the meaning of Directive 2005/71/EC
– You are going to carry out a research project. This project must have been approved by the educational establishment
– The IND has admitted the educational establishment to the procedure for scientific researchers within the meaning of Directive 2005/71/EC
– You have an appropriate higher education certificate for the purpose of carrying out the research
– You have concluded a hosting agreement with the educational establishment
– You have an independent source of income, for example: scholarships, grants, sponsorships, periodic payments, a decision of appointment or an employment contract
– You have a permanent source of income
You wish to work as a spiritual leader or minister of religion
– You wish to come to the Netherlands to work as a spiritual leader or minister of religion
– You have an employment contract to work as a spiritual leader or minister of religion
– You have sufficient long-term means of support
– Your employer has applied for a work permit
– You have taken and passed the civic integration examination or have been granted an exemption
You wish to work on a self-employed basis
– Your company serves an essential Dutch interest
– You meet the qualification requirements for operating the business in question
– You have a business plan
– It is expected that your business will provide you with sufficient long-term means of support
You will find the documents you need to submit an application. You can find an overview of the different application forms in appendix 1 and at: www.ind.nl. You can print the forms off yourself via the website. Copies can also be ordered by calling 0900 1234561 (€ 0.10 p.m. plus any additional costs charged by your operator if you are calling from a mobile phone) or collected from an IND desk. When calling from abroad you can use +31 20 889 30 45 (this number cannot be used if you are telephoning from within the Netherlands).
Be sure that you fill up all the forms you require as well as certified copies of your qualifications in advance.
Related Articles:
Denmark Jobs
Employment Assimilation of Immigrants in the Netherlands
Employment in Austria
Employment of Foreign Workers in the United Kingdom
Europeans at Work
Greece Jobs
Immigrants in Denmark
Immigration to Austria
Immigration to Europe
Immigration to France
Immigration to Germany
Immigration to Greece
Immigration to Ireland
Immigration to Norway
Immigration to Poland
Immigration to Spain
Immigration to Sweden
Immigration to the United Kingdom
Ireland Jobs
Italy Jobs
Labour and Employers in Germany
Labour Market in France
Labour Market in Portugal
Labour Market in Spain
Labour-market Situation in Sweden
Labour Migration in the Netherlands
Living, Working and Studying in the EU
Migrant Workers in Italy
Norway Jobs
Poland Jobs
Portugal: Visa and Immigration
Skills Needed in EU
Tips on Finding a Job in Europe
