The Netherlands is one of the top European countries where Indians can migrate to. The majority of Indians go to the USA, the UK and Canada for work visa, but some of them choose Netherlands as well. The criteria for getting a Netherlands work visa for Indians is pretty relaxed. Plus, it has one of the best GDP growths in the EU. All points to getting a job visa there.

Indian nationals with a non-EU passport can stay in the Netherlands for a period of three, six, or twelve months. This option is ideal for students, temporary workers (whether self-employed or employed by a local company) or people who have family ties to the Netherlands. I have also added India and Netherlands tech companies contact details which is beneficial if you’re an IT professional. We will base our discussion today on – Netherlands Work Visa For Indian Quora. But, other resources which you can find on our website include some frequently asked questions such as: netherlands work visa without job offer and how to get job in netherlands from india

If you are reading this blog, then there is a high chance that you are either a student or someone who has a passion for working in Netherlands in the field of your interest. This article will help those candidates who wish to apply for Netherlands Work Visa for Indians and for those who want to travel to the Europe, learn more about the Schengen area, Holland visa requirements and how to apply from India. Be it a work or study visa, any country of your choice should be first in your mind before applying.

The Netherlands offers great opportunities for those seeking a work experience outside the country – especially Indians. The citizenship of this country is one of the best residency visa options available.

I have been asked many times about working in other countries apart from India. The Indian Government does not allow Indians to take up a job abroad unless they are provided with a license for the same. It is not easy to get this license but I would try my best to give you an insight on how one can be employed in any country he/she wants by complying with the rules and regulations of each country

If you want to work in the Netherlands for a period longer than 90 days, you will have to apply for a Netherlands work visa.

Table of Contents

Netherlands Work Visa For Indian Quora

A work visa for the Netherlands is a residence permit issued to foreign citizens who wish to enter the country for employment purposes.

In many cases, along with the Dutch residence permit, you have to obtain a work permit as well. However, not everyone needs a visa or residence permit to enter and stay in the Netherlands.

Who Needs a Netherlands Work Visa?

Whether you need a visa to enter the Netherlands depends on your nationality.

You do not need a work visa/residence permit to enter the Netherlands if you are from an EU or EEA country or from Switzerland. Even so, if you want to stay in the Netherlands for longer than four months, you have to register with the personal records database in your local area and get a Citizen Service Number.

You also do not need a Dutch residence permit if you are a family member of an EU, EEA, or Swiss national but you will have to get a Verification against EU Law (certificate of lawful residence).

All other foreign nationals need a Dutch residence permit in order to live in the Netherlands and an additional Work Permit to be allowed to work. Some can apply for a Single Permit which combines the residence and work permits into one.

Some nationals also need to apply for an MVV visa (type D visa or “provisional residence permit”) along with their Dutch residence permit. If you need an MVV, you may also be required to take a civic integration exam which tests your knowledge of the Dutch language and culture.

Click here to see if you are subject to an MVV and/or the civic integration exam.

How to move to the Netherlands?

What are the requirements for a Netherlands Work Visa?

The requirements for a Netherlands work visa change depending on which of the Dutch residence permits that are available for work you are applying for. However, there is a set of standard requirements for any Dutch visa for that you will have to meet. Then, depending on the type of work visa you will need, there will be additional requirements as shown in the following sections.

Types of Netherlands Work Visas

Each type of Netherlands work visa has its own set of requirements and conditions.

For regular paid work (as an employee)

If you want to work in the Netherlands as a regular employee (a labour migrant), you will need a Netherlands Work Visa for regular paid work.

The requirements for a Dutch regular employee work visa are:

You need an employment contract with an employer in the Netherlands
You need to earn at least the minimum wage for employees over the age of 23
Your employer has to show that the position could not have been filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA national

For seasonal labour

A Netherlands work visa for seasonal labour is granted to individuals who will be doing seasonal work in the Netherlands in the agriculture sector. A Dutch seasonal work visa can be issued for a maximum of 24 weeks.

The requirements for a Dutch seasonal labor visa include:

Employment contract with an employer in the Netherlands
Obtaining a Single Permit (a combined residence permit and work permit)
You must earn the minimum wage or a percentage

Intra corporate transfer

If you work for a company in a country outside the European Union (EU) and will be transferring to a branch of that company based in the Netherlands, you will need a Netherlands work visa.

The requirements for an intra corporate transfer to the Netherlands include:

You cannot be a national of an EU/EEA state or of Switzerland
When applying, you must be a resident of a non-EU country
You must be working in management, as a specialist, or as a trainee
You must have been employed at your company for at least three months before transferring
You have the qualifications and experience needed for your position
Your salary must meet the criteria for working as a highly-skilled migrant
You will be living in the Netherlands for the majority of your transfer
There has to be economic activity between your employer and the Netherlands branch you have been transferred to
You cannot have had a prior transfer to that company immediately before the application
The branch you are transferring to cannot have been fined in the last 5 years for violating article 2 of the Aliens Employment Act or for not paying (or insufficiently paying) wage tax or employer insurance premiums
Trainee employees must follow a trainee program, not a normal employee one

For a highly-skilled migrant

Highly skilled migrants are sometimes known as “knowledge workers”. They are the foreign nationals who will make a contribution to the Dutch knowledge-based economy. To be considered a highly-skilled migrant, you must earn a certain amount of income. If you are under 30 years old, you would have to earn a minimum of €3,299; if you are over 30, the minimum wage is €4,500.

Other conditions that apply to a highly skilled migrant are:

You need a contract with an employer or research institution in the Netherlands
The employer has to be a recognised sponsor by the IND
For scientific researchers: your employment contract is signed on behalf of the institution
For scientific researchers: the contract must include the job description and code in accordance with the University Job Classification system (UFO)
For doctors in training: the institute you are training in has been set out by the Medical Specialists Registration Committee (MSRC), Social Medicine Physicians Registration Committee (SGRC) or General practitioner and Nursing home Physicians Registration Committee (HVRC).
For doctors in training: you must be registered with the Individual Healthcare Professions, also known as the BIG-register.

European Blue Card

The European Blue Card is a work permit which allows a non-EU citizen to live and work in any country within the EU except Denmark, Ireland, and the UK. In order to work in the Netherlands with an EU Blue Card that’s been issued from another country, you will need a Netherlands work visa and work permit. You must also meet the following conditions:

Employment contract must be valid for at least 12 months
A higher education diploma from a program of at least three years
Your higher education certificate must be evaluated by Nuffic
You must prove you meet the standards for practising your profession
You must earn the required wage amount set for EU Blue Card holders: the minimum is €5,272 per month
The branch you are transferring to cannot have been fined in the last 5 years for violating article 2 of the Aliens Employment Act or for not paying (or insufficiently paying) wage tax or employer insurance premiums

For an orientation year for highly educated persons

If you have completed your studies in the Netherlands, and your Dutch study visa has expired, you can apply for an additional year to look for employment. You can apply for a Netherlands work visa for orientation in the three years after you complete your studies. In order to be eligible for an orientation year, you must have done one of the following:

Completed an accredited Netherlands BA or MA program
Completed at least one year of postgraduate studies in the Netherlands
Have had a previous Dutch visa for scientific research in the Netherlands
Acquired an MA degree within an Erasmus Mundus Masters Course
Completed a higher education program that’s been designated by the Ministerial Decree
Completed a study offered in relation to the development cooperation policy of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Completed a study in the Netherlands within the Cultural Policy Act
Completed MA or postdoctoral studies, or obtained a PhD at a designated educational institution abroad

For researchers under Directive (EU) 2016/801

In order to work in the Netherlands as a researcher under Directive (EU) 2016/801, you will have to fulfill the following requirements:

Have sufficient higher educational background to be allowed into the doctorate program
The Dutch research institution you’ll be conducting research in is a recognized sponsor by the IND
The research project you will be working in has been approved by the institution
You have an employment contract/host agreement with a research institution
You will be receiving sufficient monthly income, either from your employer or a grant/sponsor

For self-employed individuals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs

You can apply for a Netherlands self-employment work visa (residence permit) if you intend to stay in the Netherlands to start your own business or work as a freelancer.

The requirements for a Netherlands work visa for self-employed individuals are stricter than other types of work visa. There are certain conditions you need to fill in,and, depending on your case, you may also be eligible for a Netherlands “startup” visa.

See here for the conditions, requirements, and limitations of a Netherlands work visa for self-employment.

How to Apply for a Netherlands Work Visa?

The application for a Netherlands work visa depends on your nationality as well as the type of work you will be conducting.

In order to work in the Netherlands, you will need both a residence permit to stay in the country as well as a separate work permit to be allowed to work. However, some applicants can apply for a Single Permit which combines both of those permits into one. This is called a GVVA and can be issued for one to three years.

In most cases, your employer needs to apply for your work permit or Single Permit. They can do this directly to the IND after obtaining all the required documents from you. The IND will then forward the application to the Dutch employment agency (UWV) who will assess it and advise the IND on the decision.

Who can apply for a Single Permit (GVVA)?

The foreign workers coming to work in the Netherlands with a visa who apply for a single permit are:

Regular labour migrants
Interns
Practitioners
Ministers of religion/spiritual leaders
International education teachers
Some foreign nationals who work in the Asian restaurant industry

Who needs a separate residence permit and work permit (TWV)?

If you cannot apply for the single permit, your employer has to apply for a separate work permit on your behalf. However, either you or your employer can apply for a Dutch residence permit. If you’re applying yourself, you can do it at the Dutch embassy/consulate in your country.

Those excluded from the Single Permit are:

Labour migrants on a short-stay visa
Seasonal workers
Students
Asylum seekers
Intra-company transferees
Refugees
Workers on an orientation year
Family members of single permit holders
Service providers
Croatian nationals
Seafarers

Finding jobs in the Netherlands

Written by Mark Lazell

Moving to the Netherlands? Make getting a job easier with our ultimate guide to finding a job in the Netherlands.

Finding jobs in the Netherlands takes more than just translating your CV. To work in the Netherlands, you need to know about the requirements for international workers (such as Dutch visa regulations and Dutch work permits), the current job market, and how and where to find Dutch jobs.

This guide covers all the main aspects of finding a job in the Netherlands, with sections on topics such as:

Work in the Netherlands
Requirements to work in the Netherlands
How to find jobs in the Netherlands
Self-employment and freelancing in the Netherlands
Traineeships, internships and volunteering in the Netherlands
Applying for a job in the Netherlands
Support while looking for a job in the Netherlands
Starting a job in the Netherlands
Useful resources

Undutchables

Undutchables is an expat-focused international recruitment agency operating in the Netherlands. They specialize in the internationals job market, helping highly-qualified non-Dutch speaking professionals get ahead in their career. So, find your new dream job with the professionals at Undutchables.

Find a job

Work in the Netherlands

Job market in the Netherlands

There are lots of opportunities for expats to work in the Netherlands. The country is home to a wide range of international and multinational companies; Dutch internationals alone include ING Group, Royal Dutch Shell Group, Unilever, Philips, and Heineken. There’s also plenty of recruitment agencies aimed at placing foreign workers in jobs in the Netherlands.

The Netherlands has a relatively stable economy backed by plenty of foreign investment encouraged by advantageous tax conditions. The country also has a diverse, well-educated population, almost 24% of whom are foreign or ethnic minorities.

Unemployment figures are among the lowest in the EU, standing at 3.2% in December 2019. In fact, this is well below the EU average of 6.2%.

There are a number of thriving and growing job sectors in the Netherlands. These include agriculture and food, creative industries, chemicals, energy, IT, health and life sciences, logistics and the service industry.

Job vacancies in the Netherlands

Highly-skilled workers in the Netherlands are in great demand, so much so that there’s a fast-track immigration process to get them in. There are also tax benefits (the 30% tax ruling) for some international employees.

This group includes engineers, those with technical skills, IT specialists, those working in finance, as well as people with experience of working in sales, marketing, and customer service.

Other in-demand jobs in the Netherlands include professionals and graduates working in health care, tax, interim managers and education.

Job salaries in the Netherlands

According to Numbeo, the average monthly net salary in the Netherlands is just over €2,341 a month. The income and salary site Gemiddeld Inkomen lists starting salaries for various positions.

Highest monthly starting salaries are for dentistry (€4,000) and pharmacy (€3,300). Lowest starting salaries for skilled positions are dance and music (€1,200) and visual art and design (€1,300).

What are you worth? Find out more about the Dutch minimum wage

In terms of average salaries, the Netherlands scores quite highly out of EU countries. According to 2018 figures, labor costs in the Netherlands were the 5th highest in Europe and over 25% above the EU average.

The minimum wage in the Netherlands is dependent on age and reviewed bi-annually. The current monthly minimum wage for full-time work for those 21 and over is €1,653.60.

Work culture in the Netherlands

The Dutch usually work a 36-40-hour week, sometimes spread over just four days. In general, work in the Netherlands is very well-structured within organizations. Most work happens during normal working hours (i.e., between 9am and 5pm), although out of hours and shift-work is also common. Unless at managerial level, employees are not typically expected to work overtime.

Dutch society is relatively egalitarian and this translates into the workplace. In fact, Dutch companies often have a horizontal organizational structure and they usually follow step-by-step plans.

Labor laws and rights in the Netherlands

Dutch labor laws are quite extensive and tend to favor the employee, especially when it comes to dismissal. Your contract should specify the full details of your contract including the length of the contract, employee rights, and work conditions.

Labor agreements in several Dutch industries have been drawn up as a result of collective labor agreements (collectieve arbeidsovereenkomst – CAO). Employees can benefit from these even if they do not belong to a union.

Requirements to work in the Netherlands

Work visas in the Netherlands

If you’re from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA – EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), or Switzerland, you are free to live and work in the Netherlands without the need for a work or residence permit.

However, you will need to register with the Dutch authorities. Read about the process for EU/EEA/Swiss citizens moving to the Netherlands.

If you’re from anywhere else, your employer will typically need a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV) for you, and you must also hold a residence permit.

Most employees will qualify for the single work and residence permit in the Netherlands, although some categories of people, such as students in the Netherlands and seasonal workers in the Netherlands, still need separate work and residence permits. Others, such as highly-skilled workers in the Netherlands and holders of the EU Blue Card, only need residence permits, not work permits.

Language requirements to work in the Netherlands

You don’t have to speak Dutch to work in the Netherlands – in fact, English is the main business language in many companies. However, it increases your chances if you do. You will probably end up working in the Netherlands for a large international company if you don’t speak Dutch.

If you work for a smaller company then you will generally need to be able to speak Dutch in order to participate in a meeting or make a presentation.

Expats who speak French, German, Dutch, or a Scandinavian language are always in demand. To learn Dutch, you can find many Dutch language courses in the Netherlands.

Qualifications to work in the Netherlands

Your chance of finding work in the Netherlands is greater if you hold at least a Bachelor’s degree. To find out whether your qualification is recognized or your profession regulated in the Netherlands, visit Nuffic (the organization for international co-operation in education).

If you get an interview for a job, you’ll need to show original testimonials or references from former employers. Because of this, make sure you bring diplomas, degree certificates, and employer testimonials when you move to the Netherlands.

Tax and social security numbers in the Netherlands

You will also need a Citizen Service Number (burgerservicenummer or BSN) before you start work in the Netherlands. Everyone needs this personal tax and social security number, and you get it when you register at the city hall on your arrival.

How to find jobs in the Netherlands

Expatica jobs

On Expatica jobs, you can find a constantly changing selection of jobs, both English-speaking and multi-language, in sales, IT and other industries in Amsterdam, other major Dutch cities and elsewhere across the Netherlands.

EURES

If you’re from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you can search for jobs in the Netherlands on the EURES (European Employment Services) website. EURES is a job portal network maintained by the European Commission which is designed to facilitate free movement within the EEA.

As well as searching for work, you can post CVs and get advice on the legal and administrative issues involved in working in the Netherlands (or any other country in the EU/EEA or Switzerland).

UWV

The UVW Werkzoekenden site is the public employment service and has a network of partner sites and employment agencies. You can visit one of their branches to get advice and information as well as look for jobs in the Netherlands.

Job websites

Many companies list vacancies directly with recruitment agencies (see below), where you can find extensive lists of job websites in the Netherlands. However, some jobs can also be found on online employment databases, such as:

Expatica Jobs – English-language and multilingual jobs
Monsterboard – in Dutch only
National Vacature Bank – in Dutch only
Stepstone
Top Language Jobs – English-language and multilingual jobs
Intermediair – mostly Dutch
LinkedIn also has a job database.

Recruitment agencies

Many Dutch companies rely on recruitment agencies (uitzendbureaus) to find employees, and it is a common way to find work in the Netherlands. You can visit agencies in person but there are also lots of online recruitment agencies too.

Job websites of agencies for speakers of English and other languages:

Job websites of specialist job agencies:

Aquent – web design, strategy, and content
Ardekay – IT vacancies
Darwin recruitment – IT and telecoms
Rave recruitment – ICT recruitment

Job websites of general employment agencies:

Company job websites and speculative applications

If there are no vacancies in the companies in which you’d like to work, consider writing to them directly on spec with an unsolicited application. In fact, Dutch companies are often happy for prospective employees to use this approach to find work in the Netherlands.

It’s important to contact the right person though, so check companies’ job websites or contact the company directly.

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) also posts a list of recognized employers/sponsors (companies and organizations) who have permission to bring highly skilled workers to the Netherlands with preferential immigration conditions, including not needing a work permit.

Contact the individual companies on the list to find what jobs in the Netherlands might be available.

Jobs in Dutch newspapers

There are vacancies (vacatures) advertised in Dutch print newspapers although these are generally senior positions within international companies. If that’s what you’re looking for, you can check the following newspapers in print version or see their affiliate job websites:

Networks

Finding work through both personal contacts and social media is acceptable in the Netherlands. There are many expats in the Netherlands, and by linking into this network you might find a job through word-of-mouth or personal contact. See a list of business networking groups and business clubs for expats in the Netherlands.

Also, think about joining a business club, professional association or networking group, such as the Amsterdam American Business Club, Kea (for New Zealanders), Connecting Women and Women’s Business Initiative (networking for women), or SENSE, a professional network for editors, writers, copywriters, translators, interpreters and teachers of English.

Meet-up will put you in touch with hundreds of groups of like-minded people in cities all over the Netherlands. The meet-up groups can be work- or interest-related and if you don’t see a group that suits your interests or job, you can always create your own group to see who joins.

International Job Fair: Expat jobs in the Netherlands

Our annual International Job Fair allows you to meet prospective employers from a wide range of industries face-to-face, make contact with multilingual recruiters, take part in workshops to improve your job-hunting efforts and apply for jobs in the Netherlands.

The 2020 Expatica International Fair will be held on 4 October at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam.

Self-employment and freelancing in the Netherlands

Approximately 16.7% of the Dutch population are self-employed, including many foreign residents. Anyone can start up their own business in the Netherlands if they have a residence permit and the right to seek employment.

Traineeships, internships, and volunteering in the Netherlands

University graduates in the Netherlands can find traineeships and internships through many places such as:

the European Commission Traineeships Office (Bureau de Stages) for EU traineeships
AIESEC for internships and summer placements for recent graduates
IAESTE for students in science, engineering, and applied arts
Globalplacement
Intern Abroad

If you are between 17 and 30 years old, you can apply for volunteer programs with the European Voluntary Service (EVS). You can work abroad for up to 12 months in exchange for board, food, insurance and a small allowance. For more volunteer opportunities, also check Concordia.

A volunteer in Dutch is a vrijwilliger and there are many opportunities depending on your skills. Expat advice center ACCESS is always on the lookout for volunteers in its offices in Den Haag.

Applying for a job in the Netherlands

Job application processes in the Netherlands are fairly similar to those in many other countries. You generally need to send or CV or fill in an application form. For more skilled positions, these will usually need to be accompanied by a cover letter.

If you are successful at this initial stage, you will then typically be invited to an interview. This may also be accompanied by a skills test, depending on the role you have applied for.

Your prospective employer may request references from previous employers or educational establishments to vouch for your credentials. This doesn’t always happen and is more common among big international companies, but you should be prepared to have one or two good references to hand.

To find out how to adapt your CV and cover letter to work in the Netherlands, as well as how to conduct yourself in a Dutch job interview, read our article on Dutch CVs and interview tips.

Support while looking for a job in the Netherlands

The Netherlands Employee Insurance Agency (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemers Verzekeringen – UWV) provides information and support for those looking for a job in the Netherlands.

The UVW also administrates unemployment benefit in the Netherlands. However, benefits are insurance-based and determined by the amount of time you have spent working in the country.

Foreign residents usually can’t access social security benefits when the first move to the Netherlands. Even EU/EFTA residents have to wait three months before they can make a claim.

Find out more in our guide to Dutch social security

There is continuing vocational and educational training (CVET) for those unemployed and looking for work in the Netherlands. This is mostly through private sector providers, although some government funding is available to access courses. This is usually restricted to those who are eligible for unemployment benefits.

Starting a job in the Netherlands

Once you have been fortunate enough to find a job in the Netherlands, there are a few things that you might want to consider and sort out. These include:

checking if your employer has enrolled you in insurance schemes such as accident insurance. If not, it might be worth taking out any work-based insurances you’re not covered for. See our guide to insurance in the Netherlands for even more information;
looking into what the pension arrangements are with your employer, and whether you might want to top up with private pension arrangements. See Expatica’s guide to pensions in the Netherlands for further details;
making the necessary income tax arrangements, for example, checking if you are eligible for the 30% ruling allowance. Read even more in our guide to income tax in the Netherlands

Useful resources

Employee Insurance Agency (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemers Verzekeringen – UWV) – government website with information and resources on employment and looking for work
Werkzoekenden – UVW employment portal with information on job vacancies, support and Dutch unemployment benefit
EURES – EU job search portal