Working in the Netherlands as a non-EU/EEA or Swiss national

Your employer needs to arrange a permit for you. If you do not have a job lined up, you will need to apply for a residence permit (‘verblijfsvergunning’) via the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (‘IND’).

Once you have obtained your permit, you will still need to meet the following requirements:

• You must have a valid passport or ID card.
• You must have enough money to support yourself.
• You must take out health insurance in the Netherlands, even if you are already covered in your own country.
• You must register with the local council (‘de gemeente’), and obtain a citizen service number (‘BSN’).

Whether you are planning to stay in the Netherlands for a long time or just a short period, the first thing you need to do is register with the local council so that you are included in the Personal Records Database (‘Basisregistratie Personen, BRP’).

• If you intend to stay in the Netherlands for more than 4 months, you must register as a resident with the local council within 5 days of your arrival.
• If you intend to stay in the Netherlands for less than 4 months, find out how you can register as a non-resident.

A citizen service number is a unique number assigned to everyone who is registered in the Personal Records Database. This number is essential if you want to work, open a bank account, take out health insurance or apply for a benefit in the Netherlands.

You will need to apply for a DigiD account to verify your identity when accessing online government services and websites. You will need a citizen service number to create a DigiD account.

Please note: As an EU/EEA or Swiss national, you can also use a valid European electronic ID (‘Europees erkend inlogmiddel’) to access government services and websites.

The Netherlands has strict laws to protect workers' rights and ensure fair treatment in the workplace. Collective agreements (‘CAO’) are negotiated between employers and trade unions, and provide for additional rights beyond the statutory minimum wage (‘wettelijk minimumloon’).

There are different types of employment contracts, each with specific legal requirements and implications for both the employer and employee:

• fixed-term contract (‘tijdelijke arbeidsovereenkomst’)
• permanent contract (‘vaste arbeidsovereenkomst’)
• employment agency contract (‘uitzendovereenkomst’)

Foreign workers are often employed on a temporary basis, especially in sectors such as agriculture, horticulture and hospitality. These jobs are usually arranged through an employment agency (‘uitzendbureau’). When you work for an agency, there is a division of responsibility:

• The agency is your official employer and is responsible for paying your wages.
• The company you work for supervises and instructs you on your tasks.

For more information, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, visit the SNCU Foundation website. This foundation provides information on the collective agreement for employment agency workers and ensures that employment agencies comply with the rules.

UWV provides benefits to people who are starting a family, have become unemployed, are ill or have a disability and are unable to work. As a foreign national working in the Netherlands, you might be entitled to a benefit if you find yourself in one of these situations. We also help people find work and support individuals in their return-to-work process.