You would like to work in the Netherlands, but you are overwhelmed by the Dutch rules. We know that Dutch bureaucracy can be very overwhelming for international students, so we made a list that will help you with the process to work legally in the Netherlands. Here is what you need to think about:
Do you need a work permit? (TWV)
First, you must check if a work permit is needed for you to work legally in the Netherlands. In Dutch, the work permit is called as ‘TWV’ (Tewerkstellingsvergunning).
Check out the infographic to see whether you need to apply for an international student’s work permit (TWV).
HOw to apply for a work permit?
If you are a residence from the EU, Lichtenstein, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland, you don’t need a work permit. If you need a work permit based on your answers to the questions above, you can choose between these two options:
- Full-time work in June, July, and August.
- Part-time work in the Netherlands all year round, but not more than 16 hours per week.
Get Dutch healthcare insurance
In the Netherlands, having Dutch health insurance is required for all international students who have a part-time job. Whether you work 2 hours or 40 hours a week, getting Dutch health insurance within the first three months you start your job is mandatory. Dutch health insurance costs between €100 and €175 per month. This depends on which insurance company and coverage you choose. Don’t get panicked about the amount of money you have to pay. If you are a student in the Netherlands the government covers a part of your insurance. Moreover, you can read under the subtitle ‘ Get healthcare allowance’.
We recommend that you apply for Dutch health insurance as soon as you have signed the employment contract, as you need to pay anyway from the start date of the contract. If you don’t get this insurance within the first three months you start working, you’ll get a warning letter from the government and risk of getting a fine. So, remember to apply in time!
Healthcare insurance could be an additional cost for students. However, there are special offers for students such as discounts and coverages. For more information, click here. If you need further help regarding Dutch health insurance, feel free to call the helpline arranged by the Dutch Ministry of health (this helpline is free and in English: 0800 6464644).
Get healthcare allowance
The Dutch government also provides compensation for low-income citizens. Most students, including most international students, are eligible for this benefit. The allowance from the Dutch government covers €111 per month of the Dutch health insurance. For example, let’s say you get your healthcare insurance for €115 per month, with the government allowance, you will pay only €4 per month. If your yearly income exceeds €22.000 you can still apply for a healthcare allowance, but the monthly compensation will be lower than €111.
If you need further help regarding healthcare allowance, you can call the helpline arranged by the Dutch tax authorities (this helpline is free and in English: +31555385385).
Pay your income taxes
Like the rest of the Netherlands citizens, you have to pay the taxes over your income. Once per year, you can make a declaration for the income taxes. For instance, you can make a tax declaration in March 2023 for the year 2022. Click here to calculate your Dutch income tax. We recommend always filling out the tax return. It could be that you paid too much taxes and you might get some tax return, see this link for more information.
Again, if you need further help regarding taxes, you can call the helpline arranged by the Dutch tax authorities for this as well. It is the same telephone number (+31555385385) as for more information regarding the healthcare allowance.
What ISW can do for you
ISW provides work opportunities for international students. Furthermore, we ensure that international students get the right paperwork to start working legally in the Netherlands. We provide the work permit, are a help desk for questions related to insurances, taxes, student finance etc. You can also follow our Instagram to get updated with our job vacancies or check out our website!
Would you like to get any help with getting a part-time job in the Netherlands? Register here and schedule a free online intake!
