Expat & English Speaking Jobs in The Netherlands (2023)

FAQs

Can an English speaker get a job in the Netherlands? ›

Because of our incredible grasp of English, it isn't a surprise for English speakers to choose to live in the Netherlands, that's why there are plenty of expat jobs on offer. With sprawling cities, you can find English speaking jobs in Amsterdam, jobs in Utrecht, and jobs in Rotterdam.

As the Netherlands is home to many international companies, foreigners, especially English-speaking professionals that wish to work here, can find a number of opportunities. However, note that some employers will still require you to be fluent in English and Dutch.

Every non-EU citizen who wants to work in the Netherlands has to obtain a valid work permit. Either the employee or their prospective employer may request the permit, although it is usually the employer who makes the request.

Expat jobs in the Netherlands

As a highly trained expat, finding jobs in the Netherlands isn't hard to do. With a range of international and multinational companies setting up shop in the Netherlands, finding English speaking jobs shouldn't be a problem.

The median gross expat salary in Amsterdam (2022) as reported by PayScale Inc is €51,000. Likewise, Numbeo lists an average net salary (2022) in Amsterdam of €3,620 per month (equivalent of €64,000 per year).

If you're looking for English speaking jobs in Amsterdam, you'll find no shortage. In fact, with English being an increasingly common business language in the city, it's not always necessary to speak Dutch in order to find work. That said, learning Dutch can greatly improve your chances of landing a job in Amsterdam.

You may continue to live and work in the Netherlands. However, you must have a residence permit. This also applies to your family members if they are also British citizens. If you have been seconded to the Netherlands or are a cross-border commuter, different rules apply.

Why consider moving to the Netherlands then? Well, there are still many benefits to relocating there. The Netherlands has a thriving entrepreneurial scene and a great education system. The Dutch also enjoy a good work-life balance and good quality social security.

Is it better to work in Germany or Netherlands? ›

Employees in the Netherlands should not expect to work very long hours — only 0.4% do so, according to the index. For Germany, that figure jumps to 5%, allowing for less leisure time for those working in the country. If a healthy work-life balance is highly important, the Netherlands is the better choice.

Amsterdam. With its picturesque canal houses, vibrant atmosphere, and international community, it's easy to understand why so many people choose to move to Amsterdam. Expats from over 180 nationalities live in the capital, making it a truly multicultural city.

As a non-EU citizen, if you want to move to the Netherlands, the most straightforward method is by finding a job and applying for a work visa. As such, the process of moving to the Netherlands can be described as follows: Find a Job in the Netherlands. Apply for a Dutch Work Visa.

People tend to work fewer hours here than in other countries and value home time as much as work time. The pay and, therefore, the standard of living tend to be better. In fact, the work-life balance in the Netherlands is among the best in the world!

A monthly net wage between 2,800 EUR and 3,500 EUR is considered a good wage. This corresponds to an annual gross salary of above 45,000 EUR. Everyone getting between 3,750 EUR and 5,000 EUR gross per month is a good earner.

Some English speaking companies in the Netherlands

There are also, many startups in Amsterdam and other cities, that are looking for skilled international employees. Therefore, there are many choices and job opportunities for expats who don't speak Dutch or are still trying to learn.

But what is considered to be a good salary in the Netherlands? While the answer to this question is quite subjective, a gross salary of €70,000 ($81,000) per year would put you in the top 5% of income earners in the Netherlands. Which equals to a net monthly salary of €3,832 ($4,440) per month.

The UK has a high cost of living but is cheaper than the Netherlands. The estimated average cost of a single person is 651 EUR per month (without rent), while a family of four will need 2,268 EUR for the same period (without rent). Consumer prices without rent are 7.35% lower than in the Netherlands.

You can stay here for as long as your tourist visa lasts without having to learn Dutch. And if you speak English, you will find that many Netherlanders speak English as a second language. But if you want to live in the Netherlands, you must learn Dutch.

The cost of living in the Netherlands is believed to be around 800-1000 Euros per month (ranging from INR 67,000 to 80,000), including food, rent, transportation, books, and other expenses.

Is 4000 euro net a good salary in Netherlands? ›

Yes this is considered a very good salary. You will have a gross salary of around 8k EUR.

A salary of €80.000 is extremely good. The country's average is somewhere around €24.000 per person.

With plenty of major global companies situated around Amsterdam and a rather international business atmosphere, expat professionals have many opportunities to get hired here. However, the competition can be fierce as EU/EEA citizen applicants are always given priority over foreigners.

English is spoken very widely, and it shouldn't be difficult to find a job at first even if you don't speak Dutch – however, you should consider studying it! Learning the language will make your experience more enriching and enjoyable, and it will, of course, help you find a job more easily.

As of 2021, the three sectors with the largest number of employees were the health and social work sector, wholesale and retail trade sector and the renting and other business support services sector. As of 2021, there were almost 1.5 million jobs in the health and social work sector in the Netherlands.

Moving to the Netherlands is hard for foreigners as they must undergo a specific process of obtaining residency or citizenship. However, American expats who wish to move to the Netherlands can obtain a residence permit with an extra opportunity known as the DAFT visa.

Can an English speaker live in Amsterdam? ›

As we've mentioned earlier, the people of Amsterdam and the Netherlands as a whole speak pretty great English and you're very unlikely to face a language barrier with the locals (assuming that you too speak English!).

It's not impossible to live here without knowing Dutch, in fact it's quite doable. You can do your groceries, go shopping and make international friends. You can also speak and do business with your colleagues since many international companies use English as the main language to communicate.

While there may at times be some amount of antipathy towards outsiders, most Dutch people are actually extremely humble, welcoming, and friendly towards outsiders. It's just that their way of being friendly is a little different from what most people are used to.

Is healthcare free in the Netherlands? The Netherlands has universal healthcare, but the government requires all adults living or working in the Netherlands to have basic insurance. The basic plan will cost € 100-120 out of pocket.

The average cost of living in Germany ($1325) is 21% less expensive than in the Netherlands ($1680). Germany ranked 30th vs 18th for the Netherlands in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

Wage tax in Germany is generally higher than in the Netherlands, which is why the net wage is generally lower in Germany (for the same gross wage).

Germany is more advantageous for international students and expats when it comes to taxes. You can earn a tax-free income of up to €9,744. In the Netherlands, students must pay income tax on any money they make - even if it's just a part-time job.

Do expats pay Social Security tax Netherlands? ›

Expats in the Netherlands must pay social security. Find out about contributions and claims in case of illness, pregnancy, or unemployment. If you're settling down in the Netherlands, it's important to get your head around how Dutch social security works.

Germany and the Netherlands are the two immigrant-friendly countries in Europe.

Check the vacancies on the EURES website

The EURES website contains many vacancies at Dutch employers and you can apply directly. The website is available in 26 European languages. EURES is a European network of which UWV forms part.

Applying for a job in the Netherlands

Job application processes in the Netherlands are fairly similar to those in many other countries. You generally need to send or CV or fill in an application form. For more skilled positions, these will usually need to be accompanied by a cover letter.

The average cost of living in the Netherlands ($1680) is 20% less expensive than in the United States ($2112). the Netherlands ranked 18th vs 6th for the United States in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

If you're looking for English speaking jobs in Amsterdam, you'll find no shortage. In fact, with English being an increasingly common business language in the city, it's not always necessary to speak Dutch in order to find work. That said, learning Dutch can greatly improve your chances of landing a job in Amsterdam.

Teach English in The Netherlands

Positions are seeking the very best to accommodate their highly skilled students, and will be particularly interested in TEFL teachers with teaching qualifications other than their TEFL certificate. Having knowledge of Dutch will make your application more desirable.

The median gross expat salary in Amsterdam (2022) as reported by PayScale Inc is €51,000. Likewise, Numbeo lists an average net salary (2022) in Amsterdam of €3,620 per month (equivalent of €64,000 per year).

A monthly net wage between 2,800 EUR and 3,500 EUR is considered a good wage. This corresponds to an annual gross salary of above 45,000 EUR. Everyone getting between 3,750 EUR and 5,000 EUR gross per month is a good earner.

Yes, it is very easy to find and apply for English-speaking jobs in The Netherlands, as many international companies have settled in The Netherlands and continue to do so.

Which European country pays English teachers the most? ›

Which European country offers the highest salary for English teachers? The highest-paying ESL jobs tend to be in the Western destinations with higher rates of economic development. France and Germany tend to pay the most.

Generally speaking, the highest-paid ESL teaching salaries globally are found in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the two biggest cities in the UAE. Salary packages for teachers in the United Arab Emirates can range between $3,500-$5,500 (12,300-22,000 AED) per month, depending on experience.

The average cost of living in Germany ($1325) is 21% less expensive than in the Netherlands ($1680). Germany ranked 30th vs 18th for the Netherlands in the list of the most expensive countries in the world.

Family of four estimated monthly costs are 3,316$ (3,210€) without rent. A single person estimated monthly costs are 945$ (915€) without rent. Cost of living in Netherlands is, on average, 5.42% lower than in United States. Rent in Netherlands is, on average, 29.55% lower than in United States.

When it comes to the practicalities of living in one of these two countries, we have to say that Germany fares a little better. Compared to the Netherlands, the living costs in Germany are cheaper. Furthermore, it is easier to find reasonably priced and quality accommodation in Germany.