Residence permits

For working in the Netherlands different residence permits to work are available. The Dutch immigration service IND employs the following main categories for paid employment:

Cross-border workers
Staying shorter than 30 days
Staying beyond 30 days

Note that separate conditions may apply for nationals and their family from an EU or EEA country or Switzerland.

1. Cross-border workers

If you plan to work in the Netherlands, but keep residence in a bordering nation (Belgium or Germany) you qualify as a cross-border worker. To work in the Netherlands, you have to obtain a residence sticker in your passport. The applicable conditions are:

You live in the bordering Member State of the EU and you have a valid residence permit for that country
You work in the Netherlands
You visit your residence location in that other Member State at least weekly

Your employer is required to apply for a TWV for you. Family of the TWV-holder from a Member State of the EU are allowed to work in the Netherlands without a TWV. You will need to apply at the Register for Non-Residents (RNI) for a Dutch social security number (BSN) with the municipality where your employer is located.

2. Staying shorter than 30 days

A special short-stay visa is available for individuals who will work for less than 30 days. Depending on your nationality, you may need to apply with the Dutch Embassy in your home country. Usually, the employer is required to apply for a TWV for you.

3 Staying beyond 30 days

If you intend to work (paid job) for longer than 30 days in the Netherlands, you will need to apply for a residence permit. The following residence permits are issued by the Immigration Service IND for working in the Netherlands beyond 30 days:

Work in paid employment
Intra Corporate Transferees (Directive 2014/66/EU)
Highly skilled migrant
European blue card
Researcher within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/801
Work experience as a trainee or apprentice
Cross-border service provider

1. Work in paid employment

This is the standard residence permit for a paid job in the Netherlands. Various working permits exist each with its own specific set of rules. For more information, visit the immigration service website www.ind.nl.

2. Intra Corporate Transferees (Directive 2014/66/EU)

If you are seconded by an employer located outside the European Union (EU), which transfers you to its branch in the Netherlands, then your employer is required to apply for a residence permit with the IND.

3. Highly skilled migrant

Employees hired for their specific knowledge and expertise may receive a highly skilled migrant residence permit. Specific salary requirements may apply or be recognized as a university lecturer, trainee doctor, or scientific researcher. The employer acts as a sponsor on behalf of the immigration service IND and applies for the residence permit of the highly skilled migrant.

4. European blue card

The European blue card is a residence permit for employees from the EU, hired for their specific knowledge and expertise. This residence permit may also allow the employee to work in different EU Member States under the same European blue card. The employer applies for the residence permit with the IND.

5. Researcher within the meaning of Directive (EU) 2016/801

Researchers recognized under the Directive (EU) 2016/801 received a residence permit to work in the Netherlands. No need to receive a salary. A grant may suffice. The employer acts as a sponsor on behalf of the immigration service IND and applies for the residence permit of the highly skilled migrant.

6. Work experience as a trainee or apprentice

Students and those who take an internship in the Netherlands or those who will work for a Dutch company for the purpose of gaining work experience can apply for this type of residence permit. An internship or work experience assignment for an EU action program is also eligible for this type of permit.

7. Cross-border service provider

If you already work for a company in the EU, EEA or Switzerland you can apply for the cross-border service provider's residence permit. You continue to work for this company in the Netherlands.

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