Popular Job Sectors in Netherlands

Popular job sectors in the Netherlands demand qualified candidates. The competition is tough, but if you complete your study with good results, you can find the best jobs in the Netherlands with a handsome salary. International students can have full-time and part-time work opportunities according to the policy of the Netherlands. You can work part-time while studying but you will have strict rules of working only 16 hours a week. The part-time jobs are paid 7 to 10 euros per hour. Only-time jobs are permitted by the government while studying. So, you must have completed your studies to apply for a full-time job in the Netherlands.   

Here are some high-demand jobs in the Netherlands which are best for Nepali students too:  

1. IT professional  

One of the best jobs in the Netherlands is in the IT field. The Netherlands is considered a tech hub where the headquarters of several established big companies are located in cities like Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Rotterdam, etc. So, there is an excellent scope of IT jobs in the Netherlands. If you are a skilled Full stack developer, java developer, data scientist, data analyst, or app developer, you can apply to IT companies in the Netherlands.  

The salary of an IT professional depends upon experience and skill set. Generally, the wages of IT professionals range from 60000 to 90000 euros.   

2. Engineering jobs  

The Netherlands is a small country with a dense population, so one of the main focuses of the Netherlands government is building houses, drainage, roads, and supermarkets in a limited space. As the Netherlands resides lower than the sea level, the government of the Netherlands invests a lot in flood protection systems. Similarly, the Netherlands encourages wind energy. Since the 1600s, windmills have transformed so much in the Netherlands. They aim to generate at least 40% of energy from renewable resources by 2050.  

That's why creative engineers with innovative design ideas are highly welcomed in the Netherlands. Civil engineering, architecture, water management engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering are some of the best jobs in the Netherlands for international students.   

The salary of an engineer depends upon the company policy and the skillset. Generally, the salary of an engineer in the Netherlands ranges from 50000 to 90000 euros.  

3. Finance sector  

Dutch people are very particular about their finances. The world's first stock exchange was started in the Netherlands. There are several jobs in the Finance sector. They have categorized careers and their salary in a hierarchy for the finance sector. Jobs like finance analyst, finance manager, and financial controller are some of the best jobs for international students.  

Amsterdam is considered a start-up hub. Similarly, many companies in the cities like Maastricht, Delft, and Rotterdam also demand financial experts. So, finance is one of the great options for finding job opportunities. The salary of an MBA graduate in the Netherlands can range from 75000 to 120000 euros.  

4. Healthcare jobs  

Healthcare jobs are also one of the best for international students in the Netherlands, but acquiring a career in this sector takes time and effort. To be eligible to apply for jobs like Doctor, nurse, dentist, or caretaker, you should first receive a license in the Netherlands. Then, you must apply for these hospital posts and get selected. You can use it in top hospitals like Utrecht, Amsterdam, Leiden, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, Maastricht, and Groningen.   

You must be fluent in the Dutch language since you will be treating local people in the Netherlands. Though the salary of medical personnel is high, it again varies according to the health profession. 


Finding a job in the Netherlands for international student 

As an international student, doing a part-time job has several benefits. It assists you in paying for your education and living expenses and gives you valuable work experience. A student job also enables you to participate in society and can aid in language acquisition. Go to pubs, restaurants, and shops. The quickest way to locate a student job in the Netherlands may be through this. Just enter and inquire if they require additional assistance. It's not usually required to speak Dutch to work at a bar, café, restaurant, or shop, particularly in large cities like Amsterdam. Be proactive and bring a CV or a brief letter of inspiration. 


Things to know for the students working in the Netherlands 

Insurance: If you want to work, you are protected on the insurance front because non-EU nationals who come to the Netherlands to study are already required to get Dutch health insurance. 

BSN (Burgerservicenummer): Each Dutch citizen is given a unique number known as a BSN. You must obtain one as soon as you begin your studies in the Netherlands. 

Time Restrictions: Non-EU students are only permitted to work a maximum of 16 hours per week in part-time jobs in the Netherlands. But if you work for yourself as a freelancer, you can put in as many hours as you choose. 

Residence Permit with Authorization: You must change the reason for your residence permit after completing your education. This change will be to access highly skilled immigrants. If you still need a job and would like some time to find one, you can obtain residence permits to find employment (or a Zoekjaar; see the next point). Visit our Permits in the Netherlands guide for further details. 

After completing your studies, you are given a "zoekjaar" to hunt for employment in the Netherlands or investigate alternative educational options. It requires a direct application and payment of a charge. If you finish numerous studies, you can apply for a "zoekjaar" after completing each one since you can only apply for the "zoekjaar" once per study. Additionally, you must use a "zoekjaar" in the Netherlands within three years of earning a Bachelor's or Master's degree there. To learn more, see our Zoekjaar Visa Guide. 

How to obtain a working permit: To get an operating license, you must work for a business that is acknowledged by the IND (Immigration and Naturalization Service of the Netherlands). Then, since you are unable to do it yourself, this company will apply for a working permit on your behalf. You may download the list of registered businesses on our Permits in the Netherlands guide. 


Step by Step process to apply for a Job 

How to apply for a job that advances your career is provided below: 

  •     Look for employment in your field. 
  •     Investigate potential employers 
  •     Get ready to submit your résumé. 
  •     Consider whether a cover letter is appropriate for you. 
  •     Send in your application and resume online. 
  •     Application monitoring 

Working hours for international students in the Netherlands 

In the Netherlands, part-time employment for students is limited to 16 hours a week. Students technically work two hours a week in addition to their studies. Students are permitted to work full-time and receive a full-time salary throughout the summer months of June, July, and August. It's vital to remember that students are only permitted to work part-time during the academic year or full-time over the summer, not both. 


Work law in the Netherlands 

Since 2016, foreign employees transferred inside their own company to the Netherlands and, subject to the Intra-corporate Transferees Directive (Directive 2014/66/EU), must submit an Intra-corporate Transferees (ICT) permission application. The Directive covers these workers: 

  •     are not citizens of Switzerland, Turkey, the European Union, or the European Economic Area 
  •     working as a manager, expert, or trainee 
  •     They live outside of the Netherlands when they submit their application, have an employment contract with an organization founded outside of the European Union, and are transferred to a group member within the Netherlands. 
  •     Although the wage criteria are imposed slightly less rigidly, the qualifications for an ICT permit are substantially the same as those for a KMR license. 
  •     The fundamental distinction is that a migrant worker with an ICT permit continues to work for the foreign mother company rather than the Dutch (host) entity. 

The host organization does not have to be a recognized sponsor to serve as a sponsor for an employee with an ICT permit. Regardless of whether the contract is transferred to the host firm, ICT permits can be converted into KMR permits after a maximum of three years (or one year for trainees). But the salary thresholds will be strictly followed.


Minimum wages in the Netherlands 

The minimum salary for employees in the Netherlands who are at least 21 years old has risen from 1701 euros to 1725 euros as of January 1, 2022. The minimum pay for employees over the age of 21 has increased to 398.10 euros per week from 392.55 euros.