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The country's strong export links across the globe and generous tax system for international workers make the Netherlands an attractive work abroad destination. Emma Knowles, Editor

The country's strong export links across the globe and generous tax system for international workers make the Netherlands an attractive work abroad destination

The Netherlands has been ranked the sixth-happiest country in the world according to the World Happiness Report 2018, and it's easy to see why.

The country offers relaxed, liberal surroundings for furthering your career - it was the first nation in the world to legalise both same-sex marriage, and with more bicycles than people in the country (22.8 million versus 17 million) used across 35,000 kilometres of track, your morning commute will be a far cry from the traffic jams and train journeys you may be used to.

The Netherlands is one of the richest countries in the world and offers a variety of job opportunities, as well as a high standard of living for those who choose to call it home.

Jobs in the Netherlands

The Netherlands isn't just famous for its windmills and tulips - the country is a world leader in agriculture, beaten only by the USA in terms of food exports. Its top commodities include:

machinery

electrical equipment

mineral fuels

pharmaceuticals

medical apparatus.

POPULAR GRADUATE JOBS

Agriculture

Energy

Finance

Healthcare

Transport and logistics

Known as the European transportation hub, the main trading partners of the Netherlands are Germany, Belgium, France and the UK, but export links reach as far as Japan, the USA and parts of Africa.

The country is home of some of the world's biggest multinational companies, such as Unilever, Philips, Shell and Heineken, and plenty of job opportunities exist at these firms for international workers in a variety of roles.

Skills shortages

With one of the lowest unemployment rates in Europe, dropping to less than 4% in recent years, it may come as a surprise to hear that the Netherlands is experiencing skills shortages in a number of areas.

The country currently has the second highest demand for engineers globally, despite its reputation as an innovative leader in high-tech engineering and technology. Whatever your speciality, finding work as an engineer shouldn't be too difficult.

Other areas facing shortages include:

the IT sector, where a yearly growth of 1.2% is projected until 2020 to keep up with the demand for rapid advances in technology

teaching, where the current level of trainee and qualified teachers doesn't sufficiently replace the number of teachers approaching retirement age

the healthcare sector, which is under strain thanks to a growing population and longer average life expectancy, meaning more people than ever before are needing care.

You'll be highly valued by employers if you can contribute skills in any of these fields. For more information, see Holland Alumni - Occupations in Demand.

How to get a job in the Netherlands

To get a job you'll need general Dutch work permission, which you'll have if you're a European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) citizen. From all other countries, it's likely you'll only be hired in exceptional circumstances, such as if there are no EU/EEA or Dutch national candidates to fill the position.

Applying for a job typically involves sending your CV and cover letter. You can start your job search from home by using jobs boards, contacting companies directly or making contacts via social media such as LinkedIn.

If there are no advertised positions that interest you, consider sending a speculative application to the companies you'd like to work for. Dutch employers appreciate a proactive approach.

Alternatively, you can start your job hunt once you're in the Netherlands by checking local and national newspaper listings.

If you're shortlisted for a job you may have to attend a series of interviews with different people at the company. Some firms offer video interviews to candidates who are still in their home country. Larger employers sometimes use psychometric tests and assessment centres to filter candidates. For all types of assessment, dress smartly and arrive on time - the Dutch place great importance on punctuality.

Summer jobs

A summer job is a great way to explore a new country and give your CV a boost with international experience, while earning a wage.

The tourism and hospitality sectors always have casual, seasonal job opportunities, so look to bars, cafés, restaurants and campsites for work. If you're between the ages of 18 and 25 and have some childcare experience, you could spend your summer as an au pair.

Alternatively, if you aren't limited financially you may be interested in volunteering. The European Voluntary Service (EVS), funded by the European Commission, is a programme aimed at people aged 17 to 30 that offers young people the chance to volunteer for up to 12 months in a number of European and non-European countries.

 

Teaching jobs

Teaching jobs may be harder to come by than in other European countries. Dutch nationals are taught English in schools from a young age, and The English Proficiency Index 2017 revealed that the Netherlands is the country of non-native English speakers with the highest English proficiency in Europe.

However, plenty of opportunities exist. The Netherlands is home to many private international schools, particularly in the Amsterdam and Den Hague areas. Here, you'll help students brush up on their business English.

While the academic calendar typically runs from September to July, with some regional variations, opportunities are available all year round.

To apply, you'll typically need a Bachelors degree or equivalent, a TEFL certificateand proof of your language proficiency where required. As teaching is a regulated profession, you'll need to have these qualifications recognised by the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science.

Internships

Opportunities for internships are available, but as there's no legal requirement for employers to pay their interns so you may end up working for free. Internships are offered in a range of fields, from health care and construction to marketing and IT. An internship's length is decided by the employer.

They're aimed at students, as a way to gain work experience or undertake research as part of a final project. In general, you won't be able to take on an internship in the Netherlands once you've graduated.

You can search for internship opportunities at:

Go Overseas

StageMotor

Stage Plaza

Together.abroad

The Global Talent Programme provides 3 to 12-moth graduate internships in marketing and business throughout various cities in the Netherlands.

Dutch visas

If you're from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you're free to enter the Netherlands and work with the same permissions as Dutch nationals. You'll need to register with the personal records database in your local area within five days of your arrival if you're planning to stay for longer than four months.

Once registered you'll be issued with a Citizen Service Number (BSN), which you'll need to perform such tasks as open a Dutch bank account and pay taxes.

If you're from outside the EU/EEA area or Switzerland, you'll need to obtain a residence and work permit. The procedure varies depending on whether you're an employee, self-employed or highly skilled. Find out more by visiting the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).

You'll need to take out health insurance in the first four months of your arrival in order to access the Dutch healthcare system. All Dutch companies are required to offer their employees a basic health package by law. If you're working in the Netherlands for fewer than 12 months, a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will be sufficient.

This visa information is still valid following the UK's decision to leave the EU and will be updated if changes occur.

Language requirements

You won't necessarily need to be a fluent Dutch speaker to find work in the Netherlands. English is the country's official business language and many Dutch cities, particularly Utrecht and Rotterdam, have plenty of opportunities for English speakers.

However, you'll increase your chances of securing employment, being promoted and integrating in society with at least some knowledge of Dutch. If you're working in a sector that requires you to network, such as marketing, or working closely with the Dutch government, proficiency in the language is essential.

Your local tax office may be able to offer you Dutch language courses at a reduced rate, as work-related education is often tax deductible. Alternatively, visit Undutchables - Dutch language courses for courses at all levels in your chosen city.

How to explain your qualifications to employers

Thanks to both countries' involvement in the Bologna Process - a system ensuring direct comparability of standards in qualifications across participating EU countries - UK qualifications are directly comparable to those in the Netherlands. Employers should have no problems recognising them. To learn more about how the Dutch education system compares to other international systems, visit Nuffic.

What's it like to work in the Netherlands?

The average Dutch employee worked 1,430 hours per year in 2017, equating to 27.5 hours per week. However, full-time employees typically work 36 to 40 hours, Monday to Friday. Some work a four day week, choosing longer hours over a shorter space of time, while many choose to work part time. Full-time employees are guaranteed a minimum of 20 days' (four weeks) annual leave.

Reviewed twice annually, the current minimum wage for workers aged 23 and over is €1,551.60 per month. For employees younger than this the figure increases in yearly increments, from €465.80 at 15 years old to €1,318.85 at the age of 22.

If you were hired abroad to work in the Netherlands you may be entitled to the Dutch '30% ruling', whereby you'll receive 30% of your salary paid to you tax free for a maximum of eight years to cover the costs of relocating (although you won't need to have incurred expenses to be eligible).

This applies to employees recruited at least 150km from the Dutch border - including all parts of the UK - into positions with a minimum taxable income of €37,000 before the ruling is applied. See the official website of the Dutch tax officefor more information.

 

 

Netherlands - National Level

Short overview of the labour market

 

In 2018, the Dutch economy continued to grow considerably, in fact by 2.7 %. The number of jobs increased by 260 000 to more than 10.4 million. There were than 1 million vacancies and the labour market was tight in almost all labour market regions in the Netherlands. A tight labour market means that there is a relatively high number of jobs compared to the number of jobseekers. In a survey, employers indicated that almost half of their vacancies were difficult to fill. Employers in the construction sector had the highest percentage of vacancies that were difficult to fill and employers in the public administration sector had the lowest percentage. Employers who struggle to fill their vacancies often publish their vacancies via one or more recruitment channels, make use of their own network and/or staff or proactively look for candidates themselves. Adjustment of the salary, other employment conditions or the job requirements is less common. One in five employers who struggle to fill their vacancies did not take any additional action. In practice, it turned out that they often still succeeded at filling the vacancies.

In 2019, the Dutch economy is continuing to grow, albeit not as much as in 2017 and 2018. The Netherlands Bureau for Economic Policy Analysis anticipates growth of approximately 1.5 % in 2019. In the coming years, it is expected that there will be more than 1 million vacancies and the number of jobs will continue to increase to 10.6 million in 2019, mostly in the retail, care and welfare sectors.

In 2018, the working population comprised 9.1 million people between the ages of 15 and 75 who were working or looking for work and were also available for it. The percentage of unemployed people among the working population was 3.8 % (350 000). There are also people who don’t count as the working population but who may be able to or may want to work. However, because these people are either not yet immediately available or have not recently looked for work, they do not count towards the official international definition of unemployment. The potential in the labour market is therefore greater than the statistics suggest.

At the end of 2018, there were almost 263 000 people receiving unemployment benefit from the UWV [Employee Insurance Agency]. This is 67 200 fewer than at the end of 2017.

 

Indicator for tension on the labour market per province, end of 2017 and end of 2018

 

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