If you want to work in the Netherlands as an international student, there are a number of things to take into account. Usually the opportunities to work besides your studies are limited and for most jobs you will have to be able to speak a reasonable amount of Dutch. In addition, your study programme and getting used to a new environment will keep you very busy. As a result, working and studying proof to be a bad combination for international students.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you start to work you will have to change to a basic health insurance. This is a lot more expensive than a student health insurance. Finally, you will be subject to Dutch Labour Law, see below.
Considering all this, it is advisable to think this through carefully before you leave for the Netherlands. Most importantly, you should not count on being able to (partly) finance your studies with work in the Netherlands. Please note that in some cases there are special regulations for internships and traineeships.
Labour Law in the Netherlands
Whether you are allowed to work in the Netherlands depends on your nationality and your legal residence. According to the Dutch Labour Law most nationalities need a work permit to work in the Netherlands. Only EU and EFTA nationals, excluding Romanian and Bulgarian citizens, do not need a work permit. Furthermore, it is dependent on your legal residence whether you are allowed to work or not. On the back of your residence permit will be stated whether and what kind of restrictions apply to you. For example: persons who have a residence permit for study are only allowed to work besides their degree programme for a limited number of hours (maximum 10 hours per week). This is indicated in Dutch with: 'Arbeid niet toegestaan m.u.v. arbeid van bijkomende aard'. Please note that a work permit is still needed. Your employer must get a work permit for you.
Finding a job after graduation
If you are looking for support to find a job after graduation, the Talent and Career Center can offer you assistance. The Center offers training, workshops and advice on individual and group basis. For international students the Talent & Career Center offers English spoken activities.
> For more information visit the Talent and Career Center website
Working in the Netherlands after your studies
If you have completed a Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in the Netherlands, it is possible to extend your stay for a maximum of 12 months. This extra time can be used to find a job in the Netherlands as a highly skilled migrant (‘kennismigrant’). Being a highly skilled migrant (‘kennismigrant’), will entitle you to a special kind of residence permit. However, regulations for this kind of residence permit are strict. During the 12 ‘search’ months you are allowed to work. However, there are two types of regulations: one for graduated Bachelor’s or Master’s students and one for students having completed a Master’s or PhD. The latter regulations are more strict than the former regarding the possibilities to work while you search for a job as a highly skilled migrant.
> more information
Citizen Service Number
The Citizen Service Number (burger service nummer) is a personal identification number which is recorded for every taxpayer in a database of the Tax and Customs Administration and is necessary if you want to work. The Citizen Service Number is an entirely arbitrary number that does not contain any information about the person to whom it has been assigned.
You will receive a Dutch Citizen Service Number after registering at City Hall.
City Hall
Municipal Personal Records Database
Kreupelstraat 1
9712 HW Groningen
tel. + 31 50 367 70 70
email: info@groningen.nl
website Groningen Municipality
