The Netherlands, known for its progressive society, high quality of life, and strong economy, is an attractive destination for expatriates seeking employment abroad. With its central location in Europe, excellent infrastructure, and high level of English proficiency among the local population, the country offers a welcoming environment for foreign workers from a wide variety of professional backgrounds. Whether you’re interested in teaching English, working in the tech industry, hospitality, or agriculture, there are numerous opportunities available to international job seekers.
This comprehensive article explores the various types of jobs available to foreigners in the Netherlands, with a particular focus on TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) roles, as well as useful information on programmes that hire foreign teachers and the best platforms for finding work in the country.
Why Work in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands consistently ranks high in terms of work–life balance, healthcare, public transportation, and overall quality of life. The Dutch are known for their direct communication style, strong work ethic, and openness to international collaboration. Furthermore, the Netherlands is a hub for multinational corporations, start-ups, and NGOs, creating a robust job market that values international experience and foreign language skills.
Foreigners with the right qualifications, work permits, and motivation will find the Dutch labour market quite accommodating, particularly in sectors where there is a shortage of skilled workers.
Types of Jobs Available to Foreigners in the Netherlands
1. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language)
Teaching English in the Netherlands is a viable career option, although the market is competitive due to the high English proficiency of Dutch citizens. Nevertheless, there are still opportunities, particularly in private language schools, international schools, and business English training.
Where you can teach:
- Private Language Schools: Institutions such as the British Language Training Centre (BLTC) in Amsterdam and Language Partners offer English lessons to adults and professionals.
- International Schools: Many international schools follow UK, American, or IB curricula and frequently seek qualified English-speaking teachers.
- Corporate Training: Many Dutch companies seek native English speakers to provide business English coaching to their employees.
Qualifications required:
- A bachelor’s degree (in any subject, although English or Education is preferred).
- A recognised TEFL certification (minimum 120 hours).
- Some schools may require a PGCE or QTS for teaching positions in international schools.
- Previous teaching experience is often preferred, though not always required for entry-level positions.
Salary Range:
TEFL teachers can expect to earn between $1,800 to $3,500 per month, depending on the institution, location, and experience.
2. Information Technology (IT) and Tech Jobs
The Netherlands, particularly cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Eindhoven, boasts a thriving tech scene. With a growing demand for skilled software developers, data scientists, UX/UI designers, and IT security specialists, international professionals are highly sought after.
English is often the working language in tech companies, especially within multinational corporations and start-ups.
Salary Range:
Tech professionals can expect to earn between $4,000 to $7,000 per month, with senior roles paying more.
3. Engineering and Technical Roles
The Netherlands has a strong engineering sector, particularly in areas such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and renewable energy. With large companies like Royal HaskoningDHV and Shell based in the country, there is consistent demand for skilled engineers.
Salary Range:
Engineering salaries range from $3,500 to $6,000 per month depending on experience and specialisation.
4. Healthcare Sector
Due to an ageing population and the increasing need for healthcare professionals, foreign-trained doctors, nurses, and caregivers are encouraged to apply for work in the Netherlands. However, healthcare professionals must go through a process of qualification recognition and often need to demonstrate Dutch language proficiency.
Salary Range:
Nurses earn approximately $2,800 to $4,500 per month, while doctors and specialists can earn upwards of $6,000 per month.
5. Hospitality and Tourism
The tourism sector is thriving in the Netherlands, with millions of visitors each year. Foreigners often find work in hotels, restaurants, bars, and tour companies, especially in cities like Amsterdam, The Hague, and Rotterdam.
These jobs are ideal for short-term stays or working holiday participants and do not always require fluency in Dutch, especially in international or tourist-focused establishments.
Salary Range:
Hospitality workers earn between $1,600 to $2,800 per month, with tips occasionally supplementing wages.
6. Agriculture and Seasonal Work
The Netherlands is one of the world’s largest agricultural exporters, and seasonal work is available for foreigners in greenhouses, farms, and flower markets, especially during harvest periods. These jobs are physically demanding and may not require prior experience or Dutch language skills.
Salary Range:
Agricultural workers usually earn around $1,500 to $2,000 per month.
Programmes that Hire Foreign Teachers in the Netherlands
While there is no large-scale national teaching assistant programme like France’s TAPIF or Spain’s Auxiliares de Conversación, several international and private institutions in the Netherlands actively hire foreign teachers:
1. International Schools Network
These schools offer curricula from different countries (British, American, IB) and hire native English-speaking teachers.
Some prominent schools include:
- The International School of Amsterdam
- The British School in The Netherlands (The Hague)
- American School of The Hague
These schools often recruit through:
- TES (Times Educational Supplement)
- Search Associates
- Council of International Schools (CIS)
2. Erasmus+ Programme
Though primarily an academic exchange programme, Erasmus+ also includes opportunities for teaching internships and school exchanges which may be relevant to new TEFL teachers.
3. European Schools
The European Schools system has a few campuses in the Netherlands and periodically seeks English-speaking subject teachers.
Popular Job-Seeking Platforms for Foreigners
To successfully land a job in the Netherlands, it’s crucial to use reliable platforms and resources. Here are the top job portals for foreign job seekers:
1. IamExpat Jobs
A job board specifically for internationals looking to work in the Netherlands, covering a wide range of industries.
Website: https://www.iamexpat.nl
2. Undutchables
A recruitment agency and job portal focused on placing international professionals in Dutch companies.
Website: https://www.undutchables.nl
3. Together Abroad
This site caters to English-speaking professionals and lists vacancies in fields such as finance, logistics, and IT.
Website: https://www.togetherabroad.nl
4. LinkedIn
Widely used in the Netherlands, many companies post job vacancies on LinkedIn, and networking through this platform can lead to successful job opportunities.
5. EURES (The European Job Mobility Portal)
Run by the European Commission, EURES helps EU citizens find jobs across member states, including the Netherlands.
Website: https://ec.europa.eu/eures
Work Permits and Visa Requirements
For EU/EEA citizens, working in the Netherlands is straightforward—no work permit is required. However, non-EU citizens will need a valid work visa or residence permit. Employers often need to prove that the position cannot be filled by a local or EU applicant before hiring from abroad.
Popular work permits include:
GVVA (Single Permit) for regular work
Highly Skilled Migrant Permit
Orientation Year for Graduates (for recent international graduates)
Finding work abroad in the Netherlands is highly attainable for foreigners with the right skill set, motivation, and preparation. From teaching English and tech careers to roles in hospitality and agriculture, the Dutch job market is both diverse and welcoming. Although the competition can be stiff in certain sectors like education, persistent and qualified job seekers can thrive in the Netherlands.
By leveraging the right platforms, understanding visa requirements, and applying through international programmes, foreign workers can enjoy a rewarding and enriching professional experience in one of Europe’s most progressive nations.
