
International students in the Netherlands are allowed to work while studying, but there are several conditions and restrictions in place. Non-EU/EEA students are typically allowed to work up to 16 hours per week or full-time during the summer months, provided they have a work permit. This permit must be obtained by the employer, who may be hesitant to do so for a part-time employee. Alternatively, international students can work as self-employed individuals without a work permit, but they must still meet the requirements for their residence permit for study. Students with scholarships are discouraged from working, as it may impact their grades and scholarship. Additionally, all students who work in the Netherlands are required to have Dutch public health insurance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can international students work while studying in the Netherlands? | Yes, international students can work while studying in the Netherlands. |
| Work permit requirements | A work permit is required for paid employment. The employer must apply for the work permit before hiring the student. The work permit is exclusive to that employer and cannot be used to work for another company. |
| Work hour restrictions | There is a maximum limit of 16 hours per week. Students can work full-time during June, July, and August. |
| Internships | Internships related to the student's field of study do not require a work permit. |
| Self-employment | Self-employed students do not need a work permit and are not restricted by work hour limits. |
| Residence permit | A residence permit for study does not give the right to work for an employer in the Netherlands. A separate work permit is required. |
| Health insurance | Students with a part-time job are required to have Dutch public health insurance. |
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What You'll Learn

Work permits for non-EU/EEA students
If you are a non-EU/EEA international student and want to work in the Netherlands, there are a few things you should know. Firstly, you will need a residence permit to study in the Netherlands, which will be arranged during your application process. However, this residence permit does not give you the right to work for an employer; you will need an additional work permit for that.
Your employer must apply for this work permit on your behalf before you start working. The process takes approximately five weeks, and you cannot begin working until the permit has been issued. If you start working earlier, your employer may face fines, and you may lose your residence permit.
There are two options for working as a non-EU/EEA student in the Netherlands:
- Working for an employer: You can 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.
- Self-employed work: You do not need a work permit for this option, and there are no restrictions on the number of hours you work. To become self-employed, you need to register at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce (Kamer van Koophandel).
Additionally, as an international student working in the Netherlands, you must have Dutch public health insurance. This is required even if you have alternative insurance in your home country. You must also register with the local council and obtain a citizen service number (BSN). This number is essential for working, opening a bank account, taking out insurance, or applying for benefits.
If you are interested in doing an internship, you can do so as long as it is relevant to your studies. An internship agreement must be concluded before starting, and it must be signed by you, your internship provider, and the internship coordinator at your university.
Finally, if you are interested in voluntary work, you no longer need a work permit. Instead, a Volunteer Declaration (Vrijwilligersverklaring) is sufficient.
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Internships and work experience
International students in the Netherlands are allowed to work part-time alongside their studies. However, there are specific rules and regulations regarding the number of hours they can work and the type of work they can undertake. These rules vary depending on the student's nationality and residence status.
For non-EU/EEA students, the general rule is that they are permitted to work up to a maximum of 16 hours per week or full-time during the summer months of June, July, and August. To work part-time, a work permit is required, and only the employer can apply for this permit from the UWV Werkbedrijf before hiring the student. The procedure for obtaining a work permit typically takes around five weeks. It is important to note that non-EU/EEA international students who wish to do voluntary work in the Netherlands no longer need a work permit. Instead, they need to obtain a Volunteer Declaration (Vrijwilligersverklaring).
On the other hand, citizens of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland do not need a work permit to work part-time in the Netherlands. There are no restrictions on the number of hours they can work, but it is recommended to limit their working hours to 16 hours per week or full-time during the summer to simplify the application process.
Regardless of nationality, international students with a residence permit for study are allowed to work as self-employed professionals without requiring a separate work permit. However, they must ensure they meet the criteria for entrepreneurship set out by the Employment Relationships Deregulation Act (DBA Act). Additionally, they should be aware of the potential financial implications and consult the KvK website to avoid any issues related to 'false self-employment'.
For students interested in gaining work experience through internships, Dutch higher education institutions often host career fairs and networking events, providing opportunities to connect with potential employers. Students can also seek assistance from their university's career centre, which may have connections with local and international companies offering internships. Furthermore, after completing their studies, non-EU/EEA students can take advantage of the Orientation Year residence permit, which allows them to gain work experience in the country.
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Working while studying full-time
International students in the Netherlands are allowed to work while studying full-time, but there are several rules and regulations to be aware of. Firstly, if you are studying full-time, you are expected to be available for all educational activities, including classes, group activities, and excursions, from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. Occasionally, there may also be activities in the evenings or on weekends. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider your workload and prioritize your studies.
In terms of work permits, the requirements vary depending on your residence permit and employment type. If you have a residence permit for study, you are allowed to work as a self-employed individual without a work permit, and there are no restrictions on working hours. However, you must ensure that you meet the criteria for entrepreneurship as defined by the Employment Relationships Deregulation Act (DBA Act). False self-employment can have serious financial consequences.
If you wish to work for an employer, you will generally need a work permit (TWV). Your employer must apply for this permit before hiring you, and it is exclusive to the employer stated in the document. Working without a valid permit or exceeding the permitted working hours constitutes illegal employment, which can result in fines for your employer. Additionally, you must maintain satisfactory academic progress to retain your residence permit.
For internships, you do not need a work permit as long as you are enrolled in a Dutch higher education institution and have an internship agreement with your employer. This applies to both EU and non-EU students. Career centres at universities can assist students in finding internships and part-time job opportunities, and they often host career fairs and networking events.
If you are a non-EU/EEA student, there are additional regulations and legal restrictions to be aware of. You are allowed to work up to 16 hours per week or full-time during June, July, and August, but a work permit is required. Voluntary work only requires a Volunteer Declaration (Vrijwilligersverklaring) instead of a work permit.
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Self-employed work
International students in the Netherlands with a residence permit for study can work as self-employed individuals. This means that you can work as a freelancer or start your own business. There is no limit to the number of hours you can work as a self-employed person. However, you must still meet the requirements for your residence permit for study.
To work as a self-employed individual, you must register yourself at the Dutch chamber of commerce, the KVK. You do not need a working permit for self-employed work, but you must be careful to avoid 'false self-employment'. The KVK website provides more information on this. As a self-employed person, you are responsible for sending your employers invoices for your work. It is also recommended that you regularly consult an accountant to ensure you are meeting legal deadlines set by the tax authorities.
If you take on a job, you will be seen as an employee and will have to take out Dutch public health insurance. This is the case regardless of whether you are working part-time or full-time, paying tax, or how many hours you work.
It is important to note that there are different regulations for non-EU/EEA students compared to EU/EEA students. Non-EU/EEA students are generally required to obtain a work permit (TWV) for paid employment, which must be arranged by the employer. An exception to this is the orientation year, which allows non-EU/EEA students who graduated from a Dutch university to work freely without a work permit.
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Student residence permits
International students can work while studying in the Netherlands, but there are rules and regulations to be aware of. Students with a residence permit for study can work as self-employed professionals without needing a work permit, but there are conditions for entrepreneurship to be met. If working for an employer, a work permit is required, and there are restrictions on how many hours can be worked.
To study in the Netherlands, international students may need a visa and/or residence permit. Students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland typically need a visa and/or residence permit. Ukrainian students are permitted to stay in the Netherlands for 90 days or longer.
The educational institution applies for the visa on the student's behalf once they are enrolled in a specific programme. The application fee is €450, and the process takes around four to six weeks. Students are required to prove they have sufficient funds for living expenses and tuition fees for the first year, with the recommended amount being €23,000.
Students who graduate from a Dutch university can apply for an "orientation year" residence permit, which allows them to stay in the Netherlands for one year after graduation to look for work or start a business.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students are allowed to work while studying in the Netherlands. However, there are certain rules and restrictions in place.
If you are studying full-time, you are expected to be available for all educational activities, which include classes, group activities, and excursions, from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday. Some international masters programs are offered part-time, which allows for more time to work. Additionally, there are restrictions on the number of hours international students can work. You can choose to work up to a maximum of 16 hours per week or full-time during the summer months of June, July, and August.
It depends on your nationality and type of residence permit. If you are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you do not need a work permit. For non-EU/EEA students, a work permit is required, and your employer must apply for it before hiring you. Additionally, if you have a residence permit for study, you do not need a separate work permit for self-employed work.
Yes, you need a Burger Service Number (BSN) which you will receive a few weeks after registering at the city hall. Additionally, you will need to obtain Dutch public health insurance and may need to register with the Dutch Immigration Service (IND).
Working while studying may impact your scholarship and grades. Having a job may reduce your opportunity to focus on your studies and could affect your scholarship eligibility. Additionally, you will need to pay taxes and obtain separate liability insurance.











































