Why work alongside your studies?
Working alongside your studies can help you feel more connected and open new opportunities. For that reason many students choose to work part-time while studying. A job can help you:
- Earn extra money to cover living expenses
- Gain valuable work experience for your CV
- Build a professional network in the Netherlands
- Improve your Dutch language skills
Finding a job that suits you
As an international student in the Netherlands, you have several options to earn money and gain experience. The best choice depends on your study schedule, your motivation, and the conditions of your residence permit.
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Hospitality and retail
Hospitality and retail jobs offer flexible part-time opportunities in shops, caf茅s, bars, and restaurants. It鈥檚 a great way to gain experience and earn extra income.
Rules and regulations
Before starting a job in the Netherlands, international students should be aware of the rules that apply. These depend both on your nationality and on the type of residence permit you hold.
EU/EEA and Swiss students
- You can work freely in the Netherlands without restrictions.
- No work permit is required.
- You may work as many hours as you wish, following Dutch labor laws (Working Hour Act).
Non-EU/EEA students
- You need a personal work permit (TWV) to be employed.
- You may work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year, or full-time in June, July, and August.
- Your employer must apply for the work permit on your behalf at least 5 weeks before your start date, as processing usually takes 2-5 weeks.
- Working without a TWV or beyond allowed hours is illegal and may affect your residence permit.
- You must register with the Dutch tax authorities and pay employee health insurance, which may be more expensive than student insurance.
What practical steps do I need to take?
You need a Citizen Service Number (BSN), which you receive when registering with the municipality. Once you start working, you must also take out Dutch basic health insurance. You will pay income tax on your earnings, though you may be eligible for a tax refund depending on your income.
Do I need to speak Dutch?
Many jobs require Dutch, especially in hospitality and retail. However, the Netherlands is known for its high level of English proficiency, and there are English-speaking opportunities available, particularly at universities, international companies, and in roles where Dutch is not essential.
WHERE DO I START?
In the Netherlands, part-time jobs can be found in different ways. Online job portals and local job boards are useful starting points, while networking events and career fairs offer great opportunities to meet employers and expand your connections. However, many student jobs are arranged informally and never appear online. Smaller roles are often shared by word of mouth, which means your best first step is to let people around you know you鈥檙e looking鈥攆riends, classmates, and even university staff can be valuable contacts in finding the right opportunity
On campus
Next to the student jobs listed on there are also opportunities to work as a student assistant. These positions are not always advertised online, so it鈥檚 worth reaching out to your lecturers or department directly to ask about openings.
Hospitality & retail
Working in caf茅s, restaurants, hotels, or shops remains a classic choice for students. These jobs usually offer flexible hours, and speaking Dutch is not always required. Since vacancies are often filled informally, it鈥檚 worth dropping by your favorite place and asking if they need extra staff.
Job portals
Besides personal networks, online job portals are a great way to discover opportunities. Many employers post part-time and student positions on these platforms, making it easier to filter by location, sector, or type of work. Explore the portals below to start your search and find a job that fits your schedule and interests.
| This website is Dutch and focused on student jobs. You can filter on English in the Talen field to see all the vancancies where English is enough as a working language. | |
| This site is also specifically focused on students | |
| A popular job board in the Netherlands with a wide range of job postings, including part-time jobs for non-Dutch speakers. | |
| Another well-known platform for job seekers, especially for professionals looking for new job opportunities but also part-time jobs can be found here | |
| The largest job board in the Netherlands, offering a variety of job listings. Altough their site is in Dutch, there are also some english oppurtunities that you can find there |