Known for its canals, varied landscapes, and cycling culture, the Netherlands has much to offer. The country also has a highly international higher education environment with many English-taught programs, making it an attractive option for students from abroad.
The programs offered by Dutch universities cover a wide range of subjects, and students comparing costs can review our guide to relatively affordable institutions. International students may also be able to work while studying, but the rules depend on their nationality and whether they are employees, interns, volunteers, or self-employed. In this post, we explore the opportunities for international students to work in the country.
Ways to Work While Studying in the Netherlands
Working while studying can offer several benefits. Before starting a job search, check the employment and permit rules that apply to your nationality and the type of work you plan to do.
1. Paid Internships
Paid internships are available, but Dutch law does not require every intern to receive an internship allowance. An allowance may be required when this is stated in an applicable collective labor agreement or study arrangement; otherwise, the employer generally sets the amount. If an intern performs regular productive work instead of completing a genuine learning placement, the statutory minimum wage applies.
Internships in fields such as engineering or healthcare can provide valuable practical experience. A non-EU/EEA/Swiss student who is already studying in the Netherlands with a valid study residence permit generally does not need a work permit for an internship that forms part of a Dutch study program. However, the student, employer, and educational institution must sign a tripartite work placement agreement.
To find an internship, you can apply through job-search websites, professional associations, employers, and your university. Universities may have partnerships with organizations or career services that can direct you to relevant vacancies and resources.
2. Entry-level Jobs
If you have relevant qualifications or experience, you may be able to find a paid entry-level role. Startups and established employers can hire students, but they must comply with the applicable minimum-wage and work-permit rules. An employer cannot pay less than the legal minimum simply because an applicant is new to the industry.
Entry-level jobs can strengthen your resume and help you develop professional skills. If you are from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland, confirm that the employer is willing to obtain the required work permit before you begin working.
3. Volunteering Work
For paid employment, students from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland generally need their employer to obtain a work permit. Genuine volunteer work does not require an individual work permit, but the organization must have a Volunteer Declaration from the Employee Insurance Agency, known as UWV. Make sure the position is genuinely unpaid volunteer work and that the organization has completed the required documentation before you begin.
4. Other Part-Time Working Opportunities
If gaining experience in your academic field is not your main goal and you primarily want to earn extra income, you can also explore part-time jobs commonly available to students.
These jobs may include tutoring, food delivery, hospitality, retail or cashier work, waiting tables, and housekeeping. Although they may not be directly related to your field of study, they can provide additional income and transferable skills.
Check whether a position treats you as an employee or as a self-employed contractor. A non-EU/EEA/Swiss student with a valid Dutch study residence permit may work as a self-employed person without a work permit or the 16-hour employee limit, provided the student continues to meet the residence-permit conditions. Self-employed students must register with the Dutch Chamber of Commerce, pay applicable taxes, and may need to arrange Dutch health insurance.
FAQs: Working While Studying in the Netherlands
Is There a Work-Study Program in the Netherlands?
International students can work while studying, but the rules depend on their nationality. Students who are citizens of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland may work in the Netherlands without a work permit and are not subject to the 16-hour restriction attached to a non-EU study residence permit.
Students from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland who hold a Dutch study residence permit may work as employees only if their employer obtains a work permit, known as a tewerkstellingsvergunning or TWV. They must choose between working up to 16 hours per week or working full-time only during June, July, and August.
The gross statutory minimum hourly wage is €14.99 for employees aged 21 or older, €11.99 for those aged 20, €8.99 for those aged 19, and €7.50 for those aged 18. Lower youth minimum-wage rates apply to employees aged 15 through 17. A collective labor agreement or employment contract may provide a higher wage.
Can You Work In the Netherlands While on a Student Visa?
Students from outside the EU/EEA or Switzerland who hold a valid Dutch student visa or study residence permit may work under the conditions described above. The right to work is based on the conditions attached to the residence permit rather than the entry visa alone, and the employer must obtain a TWV for paid employment.
EU/EEA and Swiss citizens do not need a student visa, residence permit, or TWV to work in the Netherlands. They may work without the 16-hour student-employment restriction, although the ordinary Dutch employment, tax, and insurance rules still apply.
For non-EU/EEA/Swiss students working as employees, actual income depends on age, hourly pay, contracted hours, taxes, and whether the student chooses the weekly part-time option or the full-time summer option. There is no standard earnings range that applies to every international student.
What Are the Benefits of Working While Studying in the Netherlands?
At the statutory minimum-wage rates effective July 1, 2026, working 16 hours every week would produce an average gross wage of approximately €520 per month for an 18-year-old and €1,039 per month for an employee aged 21 or older. These estimates are before tax. Employees are also generally entitled to holiday allowance of at least 8%, which may be paid separately. Actual earnings will vary according to age, hours, wage, employment contract, and deductions.
Working while studying can help you cover expenses such as books, entertainment, and travel. It can also help you develop transferable skills, build a professional network, and gain relevant work experience when the position relates to your education.
Work rights in the Netherlands depend on nationality and employment status. EU/EEA and Swiss students have free access to the Dutch labor market. Students from other countries generally need an employer-sponsored TWV for paid employment, although separate rules apply to qualifying internships, genuine volunteer work, and self-employment.
Starting paid work or a paid internship may also change an international student’s health-insurance obligations. Students should check whether they must take out Dutch basic health insurance before beginning work.
We hope the guidelines provided in this article help you kick-start your career in the Netherlands. If you are interested, check out our Available Programs in Europe and the Netherlands Study Guide!
