Before your arrival in Eindhoven or even before you accept a job at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø as an international employee, we want to provide you with important information to ensure a smooth transition. We'll cover what to expect leading up to your first day at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø, and how you can prepare for a possible move to the Eindhoven area.

New challenge accepted? Welcome!
We are delighted to have you join our vibrant community of learners, innovators, and problem solvers! Please follow the link below to go our general 'preboarding' page for all new ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø employees. This page contains practical and interesting information leading up to your first day of work at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø. 

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At your service

ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø Staff Immigration Team

Relocating to the Eindhoven region involves a lot of paperwork and practicalities, especially as an international employee. To support you with the immigration process, we have a dedicated Staff Immigration Team (SIT) in place. After you accept your job offer, our HR department will contact you to collect your personal details and required documents. Once the internal administrative process is complete, SIT will contact you. Please note that this may take a few weeks.

To ensure all mandatory formalities are completed before your contract begins (or your first day at the office), we kindly ask that you arrive in the Netherlands a few days in advance. This time is essential for scheduling important appointments on your behalf and ensuring a smooth start to your new role.

  • Registration in the Netherlands

    For all employees coming from abroad: for your first registration at the municipality, you will need to submit a legalized birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if applicable). You will receive an email from SIT with more information on how to legalize a document for use in the Netherlands.

  • Visa and residence permit

    If you have a non-EU nationality, ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø will take care of your visa and residence permit (and those of your partner/children). You will be asked to provide some information and documents necessary for the application at the Dutch Immigration Service (IND). To pick up your Dutch visa to be able to enter the Netherlands, you will need to schedule an appointment at the Dutch embassy in your region. SIT will advise you on this process.

  • Family Reunion

    For non-EU members, ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø can apply for family reunion on your behalf, in order to enable your partner (and children) to travel to the Netherlands. For any stay over 90 days, everyone needs a residence permit unless they are from a country belonging to the European Union, Norway or Switzerland. For more information, please send an e-mail to our Staff Immigration Team at staffimmigration@tue.nl.

Suitable Housing

Eindhoven is a vibrant city with a significant and growing population of students and international residents. The housing market in the city is highly competitive, so securing suitable accommodation may take some time and perseverance. We strongly recommend that you begin your search as early as possible, before you come to the Netherlands. Additionally, consider exploring housing options in the broader Eindhoven region (for example in Helmond or Weert), as it offers excellent living opportunities. The Netherlands also boasts efficient public transportation and well-maintained bike lanes.

Please note that while securing accommodation is important for a smooth start, your employment start date is conditional upon having a place to stay — this does not necessarily need to be permanent housing. Acceptable forms of accommodation include:

  • A permanent residence with a rental contract
  • Staying with friends or family
    If you plan to stay with friends or family, you may need to complete a Consent Form Main Occupant () to request permission to register at their address.
  • Temporary accommodation, such as hotels or short-stay rentals (e.g., Airbnb)

If you are unsure whether your temporary accommodation qualifies for municipal registration, please contact the Staff Immigration team at staffimmigration@tue.nl for guidance.

Upon arrival in the Netherlands, you will need to register with the municipality to obtain your citizen service number (BSN). This is required to ensure timely salary payment.

Please note that the first two links below directs you to a 'housing for employees' page and a 'housing for PhD and EngD candidates' within our educational website. Here you'll find more detailed information. Furthermore, ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø has a policy in place for reimbursing relocation and accommodation expenses. It is crucial to retain your invoices related to your move to the Netherlands for this purpose. To gain valuable insights into the relative cost of living in a city in another country, please consult the third link. 

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ESI will help your partner understand the Dutch job market and optimize job applications.

Partner Career Support Program

ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø offers a unique Partner Career Support Program in collaboration with  (ESI). What makes this program stand out is our proactive approach. 

Do you have a partner who is considering relocating to the Netherlands with you? We understand that their career opportunities may play an important role in the decision to move. That's why, even before you accept a position as an assistant, associate, or full professor at ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø, we can support your partner in their job search. They will gain valuable insights into the Dutch labor market and learn effective job search strategies. For more details, please visit the Partner Career Support Program or contact the HR advisor of the department you're applying to.

If you are (considering) joining ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø as a Postdoc, PhD candidate, or EngD trainee and are interested in partner support, we encourage you to contact Expat Spouses Initiative directly. Please use  to request assistance with your career paths in the Brainport region. ESI offers several programs tailored to your needs to support both you and your partner.

Education and childcare

If you have children moving with you to the Netherlands, you obviously want to find the best child care or school in or around Eindhoven. Children in the Netherlands begin elementary school as soon as they turn four years old. The Dutch education system has a number of different types of schools and also a number of different educational pathways and options. The links below are intended to guide you through the Dutch child care and education system and to point out sources where you can find additional information. Finally, we recommend that you start looking and contacting childcare centers (daycare + out-of-school care) on time. There may be waiting lists.

Explore working and living in the Brainport region

Over 40,000 internationals live and work in the Eindhoven region. That is why Eindhoven pays a lot of attention to making sure the region is attractive to international talents and their families. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I get support to find housing?

    Finding housing in Eindhoven can be challenging due to the tight housing market. While ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø offers limited on-campus housing options for PhD and EngD students, most international employees will need to arrange housing independently. 

    Housing options range from student rooms to luxury homes, with choices for both short and long stays. These are typically offered by commercial housing agencies, which may charge service fees. To improve your chances of securing suitable accommodation, we strongly recommend starting your search as early as possible - even before arriving in the Netherlands.

    TIPS...

  • How accessible is Eindhoven and the ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø campus?

    The ºÚÁϸ£ÀûÍø campus is located just a 10-minute walk from Eindhoven Central Station, making it easy to travel to and from campus by train. Eindhoven Airport offers connections to a wide range of European destinations.

    Within the city, most daily destinations are close by. Like many Dutch cities, Eindhoven is easy to navigate by bike, with well-developed cycling infrastructure. Public transport provides convenient access to surrounding towns and major Dutch cities.

  • How can I arrange childcare in the Netherlands?

    For many parents, combining work and family is a top priority, and arranging childcare in the Netherlands can require careful planning. For some locations, waiting lists for childcare are long, so we recommend to take action as soon as you accept a job offer.  

    Below is a summary of key childcare options and guidance to help you navigate the process: 

    Childcare options in the Netherlands 

    1. Peuterspeelzaal (Preschool, toddler group) 
      • Designed for children aged 2 years and 3 months–4 years. 
      • Focuses on early education and social interaction in a playgroup setting. 
      • Offers play sessions...
  • When can I expect my employment contract?

    After accepting your job offer, we will ask you to fill in personal details and upload some documents that we need for our administration and formal processes. After completing all formal checks and, if applicable, securing the necessary work and residence permits, you will receive a request to sign your contract digitally. 

To make sure you feel at home as quickly as possible, we will do everything we can to smoothly guide you in your move to Eindhoven. Follow the buttons for more support for international employees.