Working in the Netherlands as a non-Dutch student
Non-Dutch students may work in the Netherlands during their studies. Please take note of several rules about health insurance, work permits, income taxes and social premiums to which you must adhere as a non-Dutch student employed in the Netherlands.
Do you want to know more about your rights and obligations as a non-Dutch student?
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND)
+31 88 043 0430
Do you need a work permit?
Whether you need a work permit to work in the Netherlands depends on your nationality.
| No work permit required: |
| Residents of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland |
| Work permit required (transitional regulation): |
|
Residents of all other countries |
Requesting a work permit via your employer
Your (future) employer must request a work permit for you at the UWV. They must submit your residence permit and prove that you are registered as a student. This takes about five weeks.
Limitations when working with a work permit in the Netherlands
If your nationality requires you to have a work permit to work while studying in the Netherlands, please note that you must choose between the following two options regarding the hours and periods of time that you make work in the Netherlands:
- You do seasonal work in June, July and August.
- You work throughout the entire year, part-time, but never more than 16 hours per week.
These limitations do not apply to residents of the European Union, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland and Switzerland. They may work full-time, just like Dutch students.
Mandatory when working: basic healthcare insurance
Anyone over the age of 18, who lives or works in the Netherlands must take out a basic healthcare insurance. Basic healthcare insurance covers the standard costs of the GP, hospital and pharmacy, for example.
Make sure you are well-insured at all times. Fore more questions about when and how to apply for health insurance in the Netherlands, please consult the following websites:
Read more about health insurance at MyMaastricht
Still have questions? Consider visiting the International Student Helpdesk
Income tax and social security
You must pay taxes over your total income. If you receive a scholarship, this might be added to your salary. In the Netherlands, you must file your income taxes once each year.
Do you want to know more about your income tax?
- Go to your employer's personnel department
- Call the Dutch Tax Service for individuals at 0800 0543 (this telephone number is not available from abroad)
Your employer will deduct a contribution for social security from your gross salary. This deduction is a legal requirement. It ensures you against the consequences of accidents at work.
Working illegally ("undeclared work")
Some students have a part-time job for which no taxes or social security premiums are paid. This is called undeclared work. It appears worthwhile because you earn more. However, undeclared work is illegal. You have no rights as an employee and you are not insured if something happens to you at work. Furthermore, if you are required to have a work permit, working without one is illegal. Your employer runs the risk of a serious penalty or imprisonment.