How to Find a Job in the Netherlands as an Expat (2026 Guide)

How to find a job in the Netherlands as an expat: sectors that are hiring, where to look, Dutch CVs and interviews, contracts, salaries and visas.

Last updated: 24 September 2026

Finding a job is the key that unlocks everything else when you move to the Netherlands. For most non-EU citizens, including South Africans, the job offer is what gets you a residence permit in the first place. The good news is that the Dutch job market is tight, English is widely used at international companies, and there are real shortages in several sectors.

This guide covers where to look, which sectors are hiring, how to write a Dutch style CV, what to expect in interviews, and how Dutch contracts and salaries work.

Short answer: Look on LinkedIn, Indeed, IamExpat Jobs and company career pages, and focus on employers that are recognised sponsors with the IND if you need a visa. The biggest shortages are in ICT, engineering and technical jobs, healthcare and education. Keep your CV to one or two pages, be direct and concrete in interviews, and remember that Dutch salaries are usually quoted gross per month or per year, with an 8% holiday allowance on top.

Start with the visa question

If you are an EU citizen, you can simply move and look for work. If you are from outside the EU, like most South Africans, you usually need a job offer first, and the employer has to sponsor your permit. The most common route is the highly skilled migrant permit, which requires an employer that is a recognised sponsor and a salary above a set threshold. Read our guide to the highly skilled migrant visa for the 2026 salary requirements.

Practical tip: before you spend hours on an application, check whether the company appears in the IND register of recognised sponsors. If it does, hiring you from abroad is routine for them.

Which sectors are hiring?

The Dutch government employment agency UWV has warned for years about big staff shortages in four areas: education, ICT, healthcare and technical jobs. These are also the sectors where employers are most open to hiring from abroad.

Sector	Examples	Dutch needed?
ICT and software	Developers, data engineers, cybersecurity, cloud	Often not, at international companies
Engineering and tech	Mechanical and electrical engineers, semiconductors, energy transition	Often not at big tech firms, more often at smaller ones
Healthcare	Nurses, doctors, care workers	Yes, plus BIG registration
Education	Teachers, especially maths and sciences	Yes, except at international schools
Finance and business	Finance, consulting, sales, customer support in other languages	Depends on the role
Logistics	Port, supply chain, warehousing	Depends on the role

Big hubs for international jobs are Amsterdam, Eindhoven (the Brainport tech region), Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht. Our guide to the best cities to live in the Netherlands compares them.

Where to look for jobs

LinkedIn: the most important platform for international jobs and recruiters in the Netherlands. Set your location to the Netherlands and turn on “open to work” for recruiters.
Indeed.nl and Nationale Vacaturebank: the big general job boards, with lots of Dutch language roles.
IamExpat Jobs: focused on English speaking jobs for internationals.
Company career pages: big employers like ASML, Booking.com, Philips, ING, Adyen and Shell often post jobs only on their own sites first.
Recruitment agencies: many specialise in international staff or in sectors like IT, finance or engineering. They are free for job seekers.
Werk.nl: the UWV job site, mostly Dutch language roles.
Your network: South Africans already here are often your best source of tips. See our guide to the South African community in the Netherlands.

Writing a Dutch style CV and cover letter

Keep it short. One or two pages is normal. Dutch recruiters prefer a clear, factual CV over a long list of every task you ever did.
Lead with results. Numbers and concrete achievements beat vague phrases like “team player”.
Photo optional. A photo is common but not required. Leave out your ID number, marital status and religion.
Explain your qualifications. Recruiters may not know South African qualifications, so add a short note, such as “BCom, equivalent to a Dutch bachelor’s”.
Mention your right to work. Say clearly whether you need visa sponsorship or already have the right to work.
Write a real motivation letter. A short cover letter (motivatiebrief) that explains why this company and this role still makes a difference in the Netherlands.

What Dutch job interviews are like

Dutch interviews are usually informal in tone but very direct in content. Expect questions about why you want this specific job, what you would do in certain situations, and what your weaknesses are. Honest answers go down better than polished ones. It is normal to have two or three rounds, sometimes with a case or technical assignment. At the end, you are expected to ask questions yourself, and it is fine to ask about salary, working hours and working from home.

A tip for South Africans: Dutch colleagues value directness. If you disagree, say so politely and explain why. Being too modest or too indirect can be read as a lack of confidence.

Contracts, salaries and working hours

Gross salary: salaries are quoted gross, per month or per year. Ask whether the annual figure includes the holiday allowance.
Holiday allowance: by law you get at least 8% of your annual salary as holiday allowance (vakantiegeld), usually paid in May or June. Some employers also pay a 13th month.
Minimum wage: from 1 July 2026, the statutory minimum wage for employees aged 21 and over is €14.99 gross per hour.
Temporary contracts: many first contracts are for a fixed term, often one year, before you get a permanent contract (vast contract).
Probation period: is limited by law, usually to one or two months depending on the contract.
Working hours: a full time job is often 36 to 40 hours a week, and part time work is very common and normal.
Holidays: at least four times your weekly working hours in paid leave per year, so 20 days for a full time job, and many employers give 25.
Pension: many employers offer a pension scheme, which is an important part of your package.
30% ruling: if you are recruited from abroad, you might qualify for a tax free allowance. See the 30% ruling in 2027.

Getting your South African diplomas recognised

For most jobs, employers look at your experience and skills, not a formal diploma evaluation. If you want to show how your degree compares to a Dutch one, you can ask for a free diploma evaluation (Internationale Diplomawaardering) from Nuffic. For regulated professions, such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists, lawyers and teachers, you need formal recognition before you can work, which can take months and often requires Dutch language skills. Start this process early.

Should you learn Dutch?

At international companies you can often work fully in English, but Dutch makes a huge difference to your job options, your salary growth and your social life. South Africans who speak Afrikaans have a big head start. Read Afrikaans vs Dutch to see why.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get a job in the Netherlands without speaking Dutch?

Yes, especially in ICT, engineering, science and at international companies in Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Rotterdam and The Hague. In healthcare, education and many local jobs, Dutch is required.

Which jobs are in demand in the Netherlands?

According to UWV, the biggest shortages are in ICT, technical and engineering jobs, healthcare and education.

Can I move to the Netherlands and then look for a job?

EU citizens can. Most non-EU citizens, including South Africans, need a job offer from a sponsoring employer before they can get a residence permit, unless they qualify for another route such as a partner visa or the orientation year.