Work Permits and Visas in 2024: A Handbook for the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the EU countries consistently attracting expatriate workers. It is one of the best places to live and work, as it has an excellent work-life balance, a great economy, and a manageable cost of living.

Those who plan to move to the Netherlands for work will certainly appreciate the perks. Many praise the safety of its cities, excellent healthcare and education, and the high English proficiency of the Dutch.

The Netherlands offers several different work permits you should know about if you want to relocate to the country or move your team there. The appropriate permit depends on the type of work and the length of your stay in the country.

Let’s cover what types of work permits are available to you or your employees. It will also cover the procedure for obtaining them. Read on to understand the documentation you or your employees must submit and other considerations.

Who needs a work permit for the Netherlands?

The Netherlands has long been part of the European Union. You have the right to live and work in the Netherlands without a work permit if you are a citizen of an EU country. This also applies to European Economic Area (EEA) countries, and Switzerland.

However, all the other countries need to obtain work permits for a stay of over 90 days.

What work permits are available to foreigners?

The Netherlands offers a range of work permits to those looking to move and work there. Here are the options foreigners can use to move to and work in the Netherlands:

EU blue card

The EU Blue Card is issued to citizens of countries that don’t belong to the EU or EAA. It grants them the right to live and work in the EU countries. Similar to the US green card, obtaining this visa is fairly straightforward, and allows residence in all EU countries.

To obtain it, applicants must have a higher education and a job offer. The job offer must include a gross annual earnings of €45,300.

This limit is lowered for occupations that experience a shortage of qualified personnel. These include the IT sector, doctors, engineers, mathematicians, and natural scientists. The blue card requires a minimum gross annual earning of €43.992 for these roles.

Work permit and Single Permit (combined permit for residence and work)

A work permit or Single Permit is one of the most commonly obtained permits for moving and working in the Netherlands. A work permit allows you to work in the Netherlands, while a single permit gives you residence and work rights.

The employer starts the process of obtaining work permits. The process for obtaining a work permit starts at the Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency (UWV). They can submit both applications for work permit and residence permit at the same time.

However, the employer should submit relevant documentation to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) if you agree on the Single Permit instead. The Immigration and Naturalization Service will then consult with the Netherlands Employees Insurance Agency about the employee’s permits.

The employee will receive two documents allowing them to live and work in the Netherlands. These documents will outline the employer that the employee can work for and the conditions to do so.

To increase the chances of obtaining either a work permit or a single permit, the employer will have to conduct research and prove that there were no suitable applications for the position within a certain time frame. EU and EEA citizens would have priority over foreign workers.

Your employer: non-recognized versus recognized sponsors

Not every employer can be a sponsor, or start the process for the work permit. To do so, they need to be recognized sponsors.

Immigration and Naturalization Service distinguishes the two. The employer needs to start the process of becoming a recognized sponsor before they start the visa process.

The process for becoming a recognized sponsor requires the employer to be registered at the Commercial Register in the Netherlands. The Immigration and Naturalization Service will check the company’s solvency and other aspects. The IND will check whether the company can comply with all of its financial obligations long term.

Work experience or seasonal labor

The Netherlands also publishes more than 30,000 seasonal labor job posts each year. These jobs are mainly in farming and agriculture. This is why the Netherlands has set work experience or seasonal labor permits.

These seasonal labor permits will allow you to live and work in the agricultural sector in the Netherlands for up to 24 weeks, or 6 months. The employer has to be registered in the Chamber of Commerce trading register but doesn’t have to be a recognized sponsor.

The employer will obtain the seasonal labor permits for the employee.

Regular paid work

Another option for employees is to rely on a “regular paid work” permit to live and work in the Netherlands. Similarly to the work permit, employees must have a job offer from an employer in the Netherlands.

The employer needs to prove that no EU or EEA citizens applied for the role first. They also need to offer employees compensation higher than the minimum hourly wage. The minimum hourly wage stands at €13.27.

This permit is a good solution for employers that are not official sponsors. On the other hand, the employer has to be registered at the Chamber of Commerce’s trading register.

International Trade Regulation

International trade regulation permits enterprises to bring their foreign employees to the Netherlands temporarily. Under this regulation, the employer can apply to the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV).

The employer doesn’t have to be a sponsor employer to apply for this work permit. Once approved, the employer won’t have to request additional work permits for other foreign employees. However, they must register the employees currently working in the Netherlands with the UWV.

If you want to transfer an employee to your branch in the Netherlands, you can also rely on the directive Intra Corporate Transferees. This applies to companies established outside of the EU/EEA, but have a branch in the Netherlands.

To be eligible for this permit, the employee must be a specialist, manager, or trainee. There are also wage and qualification requirements. The employee must be working for the company at least for three months before transferring. Their salary must meet the criteria for a highly educated migrant worker.

The employer doesn’t have to be recognized as a sponsor to start the process for this type of permit.

Essential start-up personnel

The Netherlands aims to make it easy for innovative startups to hire global talent. It is also offering the essential start-up personnel permit. But, both startups and the talent need to meet certain criteria.

The startup requesting this type of permit must have a scalable business model. It must also have less than 15 employees and be financially prepared to hire the talent. Furthermore, the startup must be willing to offer at least one percent of the shares to the new employee. One startup can employ up to five people through this program.

The essential personnel has to be an expert in the needed special field. They should also have an employment contract with the company, and meet the income requirements. The employees younger than 30 must have an income of at least €3,672, while those over thirty must have € 5,008 gross per month.

Highly skilled migrants, guest lecturers, and trainee doctors

The work permit for highly skilled migrants, also known as “knowledge workers”, is given to those employees who will contribute to the Dutch knowledge-based economy. The Netherlands looks into employees’ salaries and job titles to determine whether they meet the criteria for a highly skilled migrant.

You need a contract with an employer or a research institution in the Netherlands to apply for this work permit. The contract must include a title such as scientific researcher or doctor in training.

Employees under 30 years of age applying for this work permit must make at least €3,299. If the employee is older than 30, they must make at least €4,500 per month.

Self-employed individuals

The Netherlands also offers visas for self-employed individuals and freelancers. To obtain a visa and start their business in the Netherlands, entrepreneurs must prove that “services/products are innovative and serve an essential service for Dutch economy”.

To do this, they must submit their qualifications and relevant licenses. They should also present their business plan, and show that it will bring value to the Netherlands economy. The latter includes job opportunities the new business will create, innovation, or the fact that it will attract investors.

Both self-employed and freelancers have to prove they can earn sufficient income from their activities. Freelancers must show that they have at least one commission in the Netherlands.

Which documents do you or your employees need?

Once the employer starts the process and obtains the work and residence permit, it’s time for employees to submit the remaining documents.

Generally, employees will need to submit the following documents and evidence:

1. Employment contract, employer’s testimonial, and engagement letter

2. The application for the work permit, or the obtained work permit

3. A copy of the passport

4. In case the work permit requires work experience - a work experience agreement or a work placement agreement

5. Certificate that you have not been arrested previously.

6. A copy of your qualification

7. Your diploma will have to be evaluated by the relevant authority. In the Netherlands, it’s EP-Nuffic. Ensure to include a copy of the credential evaluation, as it will prove your level of education.

8. You may also need to provide a translation of your birth certificate.

9. Relevant documentation for any family member accompanying you to the Netherlands.

How long does the application process take?

The length of the application process depends on the permit requested and the employer. The IND typically takes up to three months to issue the Single Permit if the employer is a recognized sponsor.

If the employer is not a recognized sponsor, then they will have to apply with the Dutch Immigration authorities first to become one. This will add up to the time required to issue a Single Permit. It can take up to six months to receive a decision from the IND if the employer has to register as a sponsor first.

Once the Single Permit is approved, the employer will receive MVV and work permit for the employee. This will allow them to live and work in the Netherlands.

Registering as a resident

Another step expats need to complete if they are staying in the country for longer than four months is registering as a resident. This is mandatory for all foreigners, including those from EU and EEA countries.

You can register as a resident at your Local Municipality Office. This must be completed within five days of arriving in the country.

To register as a resident, you should determine which Local Municipality you belong to and make an appointment. For the appointment, you need to prepare relevant documents. These include your passport, visa (if applicable), and proof of address. You must also pay the fee, which varies depending on the municipality.

Registration is an important process because it provides you with a citizen service number (BSN). This is required for any administrative dealings during your stay in the Netherlands. You will need it when opening a bank account, getting health insurance, visiting a doctor, or applying for other benefits.

Paying taxes in the Netherlands

Employees living and working in the Netherlands are subject to Netherland taxes. The income tax in the Netherlands is progressive. The higher the income, the more tax an employee has to pay.

Income tax is divided into three tiers. Expats living and working in the Netherlands will have to pay taxes depending on which tier they fall into. The first tax bracket is for those who earn up to €35,129. The second tier is income between €35,129 and €68,507. The third is income above €68,507.

Apart from income tax, you may also be required to pay value-added tax (VAT) or property tax, depending on your particular situation. You will also need to pay Social Security contributions. These provide you with access to healthcare, unemployment benefits, and pensions. You will also need to file a tax return each year.

Taxes in the Netherlands are fairly complex, so it is common to work with a tax advisor to help you stay on top of your contributions.

FAQ:

How do I get a Netherlands work permit visa?

To get a Netherlands work permit visa, you must have accepted a job offer from an employer in the Netherlands. The alternative is to set up your own business in the Netherlands, though this might be a more complex process. If you have a job position in the Netherlands, your employer will start the process for obtaining the Netherlands work permit.

Is getting a work visa in the Netherlands easy?

It’s fairly easy to obtain a work visa in the Netherlands if you are a highly educated worker. The employer who starts the process for a work visa needs to take the application seriously and submit all the necessary paperwork.

Is the Netherlands hiring foreigners?

Yes, there are jobs for foreigners in the Netherlands. Citizens from other EU or EEA countries may work in the Netherlands without meeting special requirements. However, those coming from countries outside these borders must obtain a job first. Their employer will have to help them get the necessary work permits.