Lori Meadows
International students in the Netherlands are allowed to work while studying, but there are several rules and regulations to be aware of. These include restrictions on the number of hours worked, requirements for health insurance, and the need for work permits or visas. For example, non-EU/EEA international students can work up to 16 hours per week or full-time during the summer months without a work permit, but they must have a residence permit and cannot start working before it is issued. Self-employed international students do not need a work permit and can work without restrictions on hours.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work permit | Required for paid employment; not required for self-employed work or voluntary work |
| Work hours | Up to 16 hours per week throughout the year, or full-time in June, July, and August |
| Health insurance | Required if working, including self-employed work |
| Social security | Employer will deduct social security contributions from gross salary |
| Income tax | Required; must be filed annually |
| Internships | Allowed for non-EU/EEA citizens; internship agreement required |
| Volunteering | Allowed for non-EU/EEA citizens; Volunteer Declaration required |
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Work permits and visas
International students in the Netherlands normally need a work permit (TWV) to work alongside their studies. However, there are some exceptions.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national, you do not need a work permit to do voluntary work. Instead, you need a so-called Volunteer Declaration (Vrijwilligersverklaring).
If you are a non-EU/EEA national on a student residence permit, you are allowed to work up to 16 hours per week throughout the year, or full-time in June, July, and August. You do not need a work permit, but your employer must have a TWV for you.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national who has graduated from a Dutch university, you can work freely or do an internship/traineeship in the Netherlands during your orientation year. Your employer does not need to apply for a work permit for you.
If you are a non-EU/EEA national doing an internship relevant to your studies, you do not need a work permit. However, your internship provider must present an internship agreement signed by you, your internship provider, and your university's internship coordinator to the Labour Inspectorate upon request.
If you are an international student with a residence permit for study, you can do self-employed work without a work permit. However, you must check that you meet the conditions for entrepreneurship set out in the Employment Relationships Deregulation Act (DBA Act).
If you plan to work in paid employment in the Netherlands, your employer must apply for a work permit for you from the UWV. This process takes approximately five weeks. You cannot start working before the work permit has been issued, or your employer will be fined, and you will lose your residence permit.
All international students who work in the Netherlands must have Dutch public health insurance.
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Internships
If you're an international student interested in doing an internship in the Netherlands, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, internships are a valuable component of educational programmes in the Netherlands, providing insight into the world of work and a chance to gain real responsibilities. Many organisations in the Netherlands hire interns, and internships are often combined with a student's final thesis or graduation project.
For EU/EEA and Swiss citizens, you have the same rights as Dutch citizens when it comes to internships in the Netherlands. You are free to live, work, and do an internship without needing a work permit, but you will need to register with the local municipality.
For non-EU/EEA citizens, there are additional regulations and restrictions. If you are studying in the Netherlands, you can do an internship with a valid residence permit for study purposes. After graduating, you can apply for an Orientation Year permit, which allows you to do an internship or have a paid/voluntary job. Your employer may need to apply for a residence and/or work permit, depending on your nationality and the duration of your stay. Additionally, you may need an authorisation for a temporary stay (MVV) and will need to register with the Dutch municipality where you reside.
It's important to note that the application process for internships in the Netherlands can be lengthy, and you should be prepared to respect the country's cultural norms and practices during your stay. Additionally, most internships in the Netherlands require a signed internship agreement between the student, the university, and the company providing the internship. This agreement ensures that the company meets the requirements set out in the Foreign Nationals (Employment) Implementation Decree (BuWav).
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Part-time work
If you are a non-EU/EEA international student in the Netherlands, you can work part-time alongside your studies. However, there are some important considerations and restrictions to keep in mind. Firstly, you need to ensure that you have the right visa or residence permit that allows you to work. If you are on a student visa, you may need to obtain a separate work visa or change the status of your current visa to include work permissions.
For non-EU/EEA international students with a residence permit for study, you are allowed to work up to a maximum of 16 hours per week throughout the year or full-time during the summer months (June to August). It is important to note that you cannot work more than the permitted hours, as this will be considered illegal employment. Your employer must also obtain a work permit (TWV) on your behalf from the UWV before you start working. This process can take about five weeks, and you must not start working until the work permit has been issued, or your employer will face fines, and you may lose your residence permit.
Additionally, as an international student with a residence permit for study, you are allowed to engage in self-employed work without a work permit and with no restrictions on working hours. However, you should be cautious of the criteria for entrepreneurship set out by the Employment Relationships Deregulation Act (DBA Act). If you do not meet these conditions, you may be considered falsely self-employed, which can lead to serious financial consequences.
Regardless of the number of hours you work or whether you are self-employed, you will need to obtain Dutch public health insurance once you start working. This is a mandatory requirement for all employees in the Netherlands, and you must ensure that you are adequately insured at all times.
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Self-employment
International students in the Netherlands are allowed to work as self-employed professionals. However, there are certain rules and regulations that must be followed.
Firstly, it is important to distinguish between EU/EEA/Swiss citizens and non-EU/EEA citizens. If you are from the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you are generally permitted to work without restrictions in the Netherlands and do not need a work permit. On the other hand, if you are a non-EU/EEA citizen, you will need a residence permit to study in the Netherlands, which will be arranged during your application process. While a separate work permit is not required for self-employment in this case, you must ensure that your residence permit allows you to work.
As a non-EU/EEA student with a residence permit, you are allowed to work up to a maximum of 16 hours per week throughout the year or full-time during the summer months of June, July, and August. It is important to note that you cannot work before obtaining the necessary permit, as this will result in your employer facing fines and you losing your residence permit.
To work as a self-employed individual in the Netherlands, there are several steps you need to take. Firstly, you must join a social insurance fund for self-employed persons and pay social security contributions. You can apply for self-employed status at your social security fund, which may provide benefits such as reduced contributions. Additionally, you may need to obtain a professional card, especially if you are a non-EEA student with a temporary residence permit. This card is required to start working as a self-employed person, and the application costs €140.
Furthermore, specific documents, such as a certificate of good conduct and a business plan, are necessary. You must also prove the importance of your self-employed activity for the region in terms of economic, social, cultural, artistic, or sporting value. Each region in the Netherlands has its own criteria, so it is essential to check the requirements for the specific area where you plan to work. For example, Flanders requires proof of stable, sufficient, and regular financial resources.
It is worth noting that there are potential consequences for false self-employment, which occurs when an individual works as a self-employed professional but does not meet the conditions for entrepreneurship. This can result in serious financial implications, and the Tax Administration will be checking for this more strictly from 2025 onwards. Therefore, it is crucial to understand the criteria for entrepreneurship set out by the Employment Relationships Deregulation Act (DBA Act). Additionally, as soon as you start working, you are required to have Dutch public health insurance, regardless of your tax status or the number of hours worked.
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Health insurance
International students in the Netherlands are required to have adequate health insurance. The type of insurance you need will depend on several factors, including your age, nationality, and whether you intend to work during your studies.
Dutch Public Health Insurance
If you are working alongside your studies, you must obtain Dutch public health insurance, even if you are already insured elsewhere. This includes internships, which are considered employment in the Netherlands. To be eligible for Dutch public health insurance, you must be registered with a municipality and have a citizen service number ('BSN' in Dutch). The BSN is a unique ID number equivalent to a tax and social security number, which you will receive when you register with the municipality.
Dutch public health insurance covers essential healthcare, including visits to a doctor/general practitioner (GP), maternity care, and hospital care. It does not cover dental costs if you are over 18, so you may need to take out supplemental insurance or ensure that your insurance provider at home covers dental care costs abroad.
Private Health Insurance
If you are under 30 and not from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you will need to take out private health insurance. There are several international insurance plans available for international students, which can be purchased online and submitted with your visa application.
Financial Aid
Standard health insurance in the Netherlands costs around €1,500 a year, with a yearly insurance excess of €385 (as of 2025). This means that you must pay the first €385 in healthcare costs yourself before receiving reimbursements from the insurance company. However, you may be eligible for financial aid in the form of a healthcare benefit ('zorgtoeslag' in Dutch). International students working during their studies are often entitled to this benefit to compensate for the costs of Dutch health insurance.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in the Netherlands. However, they need to apply for a work visa and may also need to obtain a work permit, depending on the nature of their work.
International students with a residence permit for study are allowed to work up to a maximum of 16 hours per week throughout the year or full time during the summer months of June, July, and August.
Yes, international students are required to obtain Dutch public health insurance when they get a job.
