Finding a job

How to go about it

The EURES (Network European Employment Services)

If you are a EU or a European Economic Area citizen (EEA i.e. Iceland and Norway), then the Government Employment Service in your own country will have details of any vacancies in the Netherlands supplied to it through the EURES network. This is a partnership between all of the employment services in the EU/EEA, to support free movement of workers. The EURES system facilitates the circulation of vacancies and enables access of up-to-date information on living and working conditions in each EU/EEA member state via a computer network.

There are about 450 specially trained staff throughout the EU and EEA who administer the EURES system. They are called Euroadvisers and they specialise in the practical issues surrounding employment in the Member States. Euroadvisers can be contacted via your local Employment Service.

EU and EEA citizens have the right to live and work in The Netherlands without a work permit, subject to your having a work contract for the period of your stay. You are also entitled to stay in the Netherlands for 3 months per year (calculated from date of registration) in order to look for work. EU/EEA citizens working in the Netherlands and in possession of a valid Dutch residence permit have the same rights as nationals with regard to pay, working conditions, access to housing, vocational training, social security and trade union membership. Families and immediate dependants are entitled to join them and have similar rights. Jobcentres

Before Departing

1. Check job offers in the EURES system
2. Contact your professional body (if relevant)
3. Check your own national newspapers and professional journals
4. Check "international" publications (For example: "The Economist")
5. Check the Dutch newspapers (for example: "De Telegraaf, "Algemeen Dagblad")
6. Check agencies dealing with work abroad
7. Check reference books (For example libraries, bookshops)

Job Centers in The Netherlands

The Dutch equivalent of a jobcentre is the Arbeidsbureau (AB) and EU nationals can use its services, AFTER completing entry formalities such as
a.) having the police "3 monthly EU jobseeker" stamp on your passport; and

b.) having obtained a SOFI number from the local tax office.

This number identifies you in the tax and social security system and will be required by any prospective employer or temporary employment agency (Uitzendbureau). AB offices can be found across the country. To find the address of your nearest office if you are in the Netherlands look in the telephone directory or the Dutch equivalent of the Yellow Pages (Gouden Gids). Alternatively, contact the Head Office of the Dutch employment service for a list of all regional employment offices.

Work Contract

The work contract is made between the employer and the employee. There are several things which are by default present in such a contract according to the Dutch law. The minimum number of holiday days is 25 and there is a holiday allowance of about 8% of the bruto annual wage. The contract specifies the duration and if there is a probation period or not. Usually it is. This can take a few months and is paid less than the period after the probation period.

If you are offered a contract, check carefully the terms and conditions of employment. Make sure you get a translation of your contract in your native language but there is no legal requirement for your Dutch employer to provide this. The local Arbeidsbureau can advise on the acceptability or otherwise of your contract.
Check the method and frequency of your pay. Also check your travel arrangements and accommodation and determine if they are to be paid by you or the employer. Be especially cautious of references to "stukwerk" ie piecework payment per item produced rather than per week/month. A two-month probation period is legal in most types of employment, and both parties may terminate the contract without giving a reason during this time.

     Legislation