Finding a job in the Netherlands: permits, where to search and how to apply

• EU, EEA and Swiss citizens may work in the Netherlands without a residence permit or a work permit (tewerkstellingsvergunning, TWV), according to the IND.
• Other nationals need a residence permit that allows work for stays longer than 90 days. Which permit fits depends on the job. Common routes are the highly skilled migrant permit (kennismigrant, salary requirement, employer must be an IND-recognised sponsor), the EU Blue Card, the intra-corporate transferee permit and the single permit (gecombineerde vergunning verblijf en arbeid, GVVA), which combines residence and work. For some jobs the employer must apply for a TWV at UWV.
• Recent graduates of Dutch or certain foreign universities may be able to use the orientation year permit (zoekjaar) to look for work after graduation.
• If you already hold a Dutch residence permit, check what it allows before you accept a job, and ask the IND if you are unsure.

The IND publishes a public register of recognised sponsors. If a highly skilled migrant permit is your route, searching that register shows you which employers can apply for you quickly.

• werk.nl is the website of UWV, the public employment service. It has a vacancy database and a CV database that employers search. Registration with UWV is not compulsory if you are not claiming a benefit. Much of the site is in Dutch.
• EURES, the European job-mobility portal, publishes Dutch vacancies and has advisers for people moving within the EU.
• Company career pages and online applications are the norm for qualified jobs.
• LinkedIn and other professional networks are widely used by recruiters, and EURES notes that employers also look at your social-media presence.
• Employment and recruitment agencies: temporary work agencies (uitzendbureaus), recruitment and selection agencies, headhunters and secondment agencies (detachering) are a large part of the market. Some start with an assessment or test.
• Job fairs and events, including those of UWV, universities and the European Job Days.
• Unsolicited applications (open sollicitatie) are common. It is normal to phone a company first with a few well-prepared questions.

EURES describes these conventions:

• Letter (motivatiebrief): short, one A4 page, and in Dutch unless the vacancy says otherwise. Explain why you want this job at this employer, why you are suitable, and that you would welcome an interview. Motivation is one of the main selection criteria.
• CV: concise and factual, with your most recent job and tasks. References and copies of certificates are not normally attached; bring them to the interview.
• Interviews: usually with one or two people, often in two or three rounds and sometimes online. Expect questions about your motivation and about strengths and weaker points, with examples. You will normally be invited to ask questions at the end, so prepare some.

Directness is common in Dutch workplaces. A short, specific application usually works better than a long general one.

Employers may not know your foreign qualifications. IDW (Internationale Diplomawaardering) issues a credential evaluation that states which Dutch level of education your diploma compares to. It evaluates one diploma per application and its website currently warns of longer processing times, so apply early.

For regulated professions, such as many healthcare, legal and teaching jobs, a credential evaluation is not enough: you need formal recognition from the competent authority before you may work in the profession. See the guide on recognition of diplomas.

Many international employers work in English, but Dutch is often required in public-facing, healthcare, education and public-sector jobs. Even basic Dutch broadens your options; see the guide on learning Dutch.

From 1 July 2026 the statutory minimum wage for employees aged 21 and over is €14.99 gross per hour (it was €14.71 from 1 January 2026). Employees also receive a holiday allowance of at least 8% of gross annual salary. Many sectors have a collective labour agreement (cao) that sets higher pay scales.

Compare offers on gross annual salary including holiday allowance, any thirteenth month, pension contributions, travel allowance and contract type. If you are recruited from abroad, ask whether the employer will apply for the expat tax scheme (30% facility) with you. The guide on employment rights explains probation, notice and fixed-term contracts.

Work in NL information points give free explanation and advice to people working in the Netherlands, for example on wages, contracts, housing, care, taxes and learning Dutch, and help in your own language where possible. EURES advisers help with moving for work within the EU. UWV can help job seekers who are registered with it.