Are you currently working in the Netherlands on a student visa, or plan to come to the Netherlands to study, and need to supplement your income with part-time work? Then it’s important you know about the rules around working in the Netherlands on a student visa.
Student Visa Work permits in the Netherlands
Student Visas in the Netherlands
Studying abroad is a great way to not only further your education, but a chance to do so while travelling and experiencing a new culture. Student visas for the Netherlands are issued to people who have been accepted to study at a Dutch educational institution. Depending on where you come from, this might also include a residence permit to live in the country while you study. There are three main types of student visas in the Netherlands:
Short-stay student visa - if your study will take less than 3 months.
Long-stay student visa - if your study will take longer than 3 months.
Secondary and vocational visa - if you intend to study at a high-school.
No matter which type of visa you are on, you may find yourself needing to earn some extra money during your stay in the Netherlands. But before you count on getting a job while you study, it’s important to know if you’re eligible to work.
Can you work in the Netherlands with a Student Visa?
In general, you can work in the Netherlands with a student visa, But, the rules and requirements for students change depending on where you come from.
Working in the Netherlands as an EU Citizen
If you come from an EU, EEA (European Economic Area) country, or from Switzerland, you can work in the Netherlands without any restrictions or permits while you study. You do however, need to follow all the rules within the Dutch Working Hours Act.
EU Countries | EAA Countries |
|---|---|
Austria, Belgium,Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden. | Iceland |
Working in the Netherlands as a non-EU Citizen
Non-EU citizens who come to the Netherlands to study are allowed to work. However, there are limits on the number of hours they can work. More specifically, non-EU students can do one of the following:
Work up to 16 hours a week in the Netherlands.
OR
Work full-time during the months of June, July, and August in the Netherlands.
Dutch Work Permit Applications for non-EU Students
Students from outside the EU who want to work also need to be issued a work permit by their prospective employer, which needs to be completed five weeks prior to the start of employment. This application is free to do, but needs to be done by your employer for you. You cannot do this yourself.
It’s important to note that this work permit is issued specifically for the type of work you will carry out, and for the specific employer you will work for. This means that you cannot use it for more than one employer.
Remember, that if you work more hours than what is stated on your work permit, or if your employer has not issued you a work permit and you have already started to work, this is illegal. A breach of these laws may be punishable with large fines for your employer, and threaten your residence permit validity.
How do I get paid while on a student visa working in the Netherlands?
The two things you will need to have to be paid when working in the Netherlands on a student visa are:
1. A citizen service number, this is called a Burger Service Number in Dutch (BSN).
2. A local address that you can register at.
To get a BSN, you need to register your local Dutch address at the municipality when you arrive in the Netherlands. Once you get your BSN, you will have to provide this number to your employer when you apply to work in order to be paid. You do not necessarily need a Dutch bank account to work and be paid in the Netherlands.
What jobs can I work as an International Student?
As a student in the Netherlands, there is a wide range of jobs you can apply for, that will allow you to work either 16 hours a week, or through the summer months. Some ideas include working as a food delivery driver, working in a bar or cafe, or at a supermarket or store.
English speaking jobs in the Netherlands
Most people in the Netherlands speak English, meaning there are plenty of jobs in the Netherlands where speaking Dutch won’t be a requirement. While you may need a basic level of Dutch in smaller cities, in bigger cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Utrecht, oftentimes just knowing the English language can be enough to find a student job.
Working with Thuisbezorgd in the Netherlands on a Student Visa
Working at Thuisbezorgd is a great option for students in the Netherlands - whether you come from an EU country, or outside of the EU.
To start, you don’t need to speak Dutch to apply! We also take care of all the work permit administration for you. Our shift packages mean that you can easily work 16 hours a week, or decide to go full-time during the summer months.
Thuisbezorgd has partnered up with Randstad, the biggest employment agency in the world, to take care of all necessary arrangements for our couriers. This includes Randstad liaising with the government to arrange your work permit. As long as you meet the requirements and share your documents, we will take care of the rest (and of you!).
The information as included on this page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not specifically relate to work at Thuisbezorgd.nl. Although Thuisbezorgd.nl makes every effort to keep the content of this page up to date, the information is offered without any form of guarantee or claim to correctness. We therefore recommend that you consult official government websites or seek professional advice before acting.
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