Netherlands Working Holiday Visa - The Complete Guide

Jessie Chambers -

Want to get to know the Dutch culture and earn money for that simultaneously? The Dutch Working Holiday Visa gives young individuals an incredible chance to do that. 

This program makes participants experience the era of approachable modernisation of the colonial Dutch culture, such as riding bicycles on streets bordered by canals and having social drinking sessions with friends. 

Read this guide to understand the requirements, eligibility criteria, application process, and how to make the best out of your year in the Netherlands.

Eligibility Requirements

Before starting your Dutch experience, you must fulfil the eligibility requirements for the Netherlands Working Holiday Visa. 

  • A citizen from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Hong Kong, Argentina, Uruguay, Taiwan or Japan
  • Be between 18 and 30 years old at the time of application (up to 35 years for some nationalities)
  • You must demonstrate that you have sufficient money to begin your stay
  • The Dutch holiday visa requires either a valid return ticket or enough funds to buy one.
  • Comprehensive health insurance coverage for your entire stay
  • Your primary reason for visiting the Netherlands should be cultural exchange; working is secondary
  • You are allowed to travel alone without dependent children

Top Tip: Begin your preparations six months before your target travel period to allow for the application process and schedule planning.

Application Process

You should follow the following process thoroughly to maximize your chances of obtaining the Netherlands Working Holiday visa approval:

Documentation Required

  • Valid passport (with at least 18 months validity from the application date)
  • Completed application form
  • Proof of financial means
  • Return ticket or evidence of enough money for purchasing a return ticket.
  • Comprehensive health insurance documentation
  • Recent passport-sized photographs (3.5 x 4.5 cm with white background)
  • Criminal background check from your home country
  • Medical certificate (if applicable)
  • A letter needs to establish your principal intent as a traveler with an additional focus on work activities.

Application Submission

  • Apply at the Dutch embassy or consulate in your home country
  • Some countries offer online applications through the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website
  • Submit all documents in person or through the online portal
  • Attend a biometric data collection appointment if required
  • Processing times vary but typically take 2-4 weeks

Application Fees

  • Application fee of approximately €81 (subject to change)
  • Additional fees may apply for biometric data collection
  • Payment methods vary by location (credit card, bank transfer, or cash)
  • You can choose from credit cards, bank transfers or cash transactions at different stores

Top Tip: It is essential to keep digital versions of application documents in cloud storage so you can refer to them easily throughout your travel period. Mobile apps help organize important documentation to access necessary papers when you first arrive quickly.

Preparing for Your Working Holiday

Familiarise yourself with the Dutch culture, habits, and norms to enable you to prepare well for a great trip.

Pre-Departure Checklist

  • Secure temporary accommodation for your arrival
  • Research job market and potential employment opportunities
  • Familiarise yourself with Dutch labor laws and tax regulations
  • Arrange international banking or set up a Dutch bank account
  • Download helpful apps for navigation and networking

Packing Essentials

  • Weather-appropriate clothing (the Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate with frequent rain)
  • Adapters for electronics (Netherlands uses Type C and F plugs)
  • Important medications with prescriptions
  • Professional attire for job interviews
  • Waterproof jacket and shoes (Dutch weather is notoriously unpredictable)

Digital Preparation

  • Join online communities and forums for working holidaymakers
  • Connect with potential employers or housing contacts
  • Download a social app like Superlite to connect with fellow travellers and locals while in the Netherlands
  • Save important documents in cloud storage
  • Set up a VPN if you have to access content that is restricted in your country

Top Tip: Download a social app that helps find other working holiday visa holders and have company when exploring Dutch cities during working holiday trips.

What to Do After Arriving in the Netherlands

After securing your Working Holiday Visa, you will arrive in the Netherlands, and there are a few more formalities, as with any other country, that you need to fulfill to be fully legal and functioning. 

Registration Requirements

Within 5 days of arrival, you are required to register with the local municipality, which can be done through an online appointment. This visit requires you to present your passport, visa documents, and lease agreement for the premises. 

You will get a citizen service number (BSN), which is necessary for working, banking, medical care, and other services in the Netherlands. You will also have to report to the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) to obtain a residence permit card from the IND, which should only take approximately 2 to 3 weeks to process.

Setting Up Banking

A Dutch bank account is essential for receiving the salary and paying the necessary expenses. They include bunq and N26, which are ideal for expats mainly due to their interface simplicity and easy application procedure. 

A passport, BSN number, and proof of address are required for the account opening process. Most Dutch banks offer excellent mobile banking apps for convenient money management. 

If you need to transfer money to another country, consider using the services of an international money transfer like TransferWise because the bank's fees are too high. The Dutch people pay through debit cards (PIN cards), and cash is becoming less common today.

Housing

Searching for affordable housing in the Netherlands is quite frustrating. You should seek short-term accommodations, such as motels, hotels, or Airbnb while preparing for long-term accommodations. 

Long-term arrangements are available through shared flats, shared bedrooms for students, or rooms that can be rented long-term. Expect to pay €879.66, the current monthly limit for accommodation. 

You can register with housing websites like Kamernet, Pararius, or Funda for listings, but be vigilant about rental scams and never transfer money before viewing a property in person.

Mobile/Internet Setup

Phone numbers are necessary for job searching and daily use. Some major providers in the Netherlands include KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile, all with prepaid packages ideal for a working holiday visa holder. 

Most providers offer English-speaking customer service and stores near shopping centres. Public Wi-Fi networks can be easily found in all public establishments and places to eat and drink in the Netherlands, although local scenarios should be planned.

Top Tip: When searching for accommodation, you can search for cities a little away from Amsterdam, like Utrecht, Rotterdam, or The Hague, where the prices are much more affordable yet still well connected with Amsterdam via various means of transport. With a social app to look for people under working holiday visas, you can connect to share a room with them or get information about affordable neighborhoods.

There are different job vacancies for expats in the Netherlands, ranging from the services industry to business. There are various factors involving the choice of a specific place of work that can largely determine the search process and your overall employment conditions during the stay.

Hospitality Industry

English-speaking staff are welcome in the Netherlands hospitality industry, especially in the service providing countries such as Amsterdam. Hospitality industries are known to employ international employees because of their fluency in customer service. 

These jobs ensure that they can work at irregular intervals or at any time they choose, depending on the kind of project given. Tips can supplement your income, although they are not as lucrative as in countries like the United States.

Tourism Sector

The tourism sector provides many employment opportunities for youth, most during the tourist season from April to September. If you are a student, you can get a job as a tour guide, museum attendant, attraction staff, or bicycle rental shop assistant. 

There are many other options that allow you to learn more about the culture of the Netherlands while talking about it to other people. Boat tour operators in Amsterdam and similar cities prefer their guides to be multilingual.

International Business

The country is known to house various international business companies and startup businesses that mainly conduct business using the English language. Practical customer care, clerical, and marketing clerk jobs generally act as entry-level positions. 

Among them, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague have the most concentrations of these sectors, and many of these companies seek native English speakers.

Top Tip: It is easier for English speakers to get jobs in the Netherlands because of the significant number of international companies, and most communicate in English.

Hot Spots to Visit in the Netherlands

The main tourist attractions of the Netherlands are mainly historic cities and country landscapes, which are incredibly diverse despite its small area. 

Amsterdam

The capital does not fail to awe, with its now world-famous canal ring, numerous museums, and lively spirits. Visit the art coronation and the Rijksmuseum; visit the museum dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh, the Van Gogh Museum; move your spirits to the Anne Frank House and get a tasteful view of the windows in the Jordaan district. 

However, Vondelpark is an excellent escape from exploring the city, and everyone fascinated with food can find Indonesian rijsttafel, Dutch pancakes, and many other things.

Rotterdam

Today, despite being bombed in the Second World War, Rotterdam is an important European city with modernist architecture. The striking Cube Houses and impressive Markthal food hall showcase the city's innovative spirit. 

A new bridge known as 'The Swan,' which connects the north and south of Rotterdam, is symbolic, while the harbour boasts harbour cruises. Rotterdam is famous for its multiethnic culture and good nightlife; it tends to attract young people taking their working holidays.

Utrecht

No other city can boast of such a structure of split-level canals and a number of the Wharf cellars currently used as cafés and restaurants. The Dom Tower is one of the tallest structures, and those who are up for the challenge will be rewarded with a birds-eye view after completing 465 steps. 

This, combined with the small size of the city's centre, the numerous students, and other sights, makes it vibrant but not as hectic as Amsterdam.

Top Tip: Purchase a Museum pass that gives free access to more than 400 museums nationwide for a year.

Tax Obligations

Being aware of your tax responsibilities while working in the Netherlands is very important to evade any issues when planning or undertaking a working holiday. However, it is important to learn that the Dutch tax system is relatively comprehensive but not difficult to understand.

Tax Residency Status

According to the Dutch income tax legislation, anyone who spends over 183 days in the Netherlands in a calendar year is deemed an income tax resident. This means you are taxable to the Dutch government for your income tax from all around the world. 

However, most working holiday makers take advantage of Double Taxation Treaties between the Netherlands and countries of residence, so one cannot be subjected to paying taxes on income that has already been paid in another country. 

In this context, the predetermined rules vary depending on the citizens' nationality. Look it up based on the bilateral relations between your country and the Netherlands.

Income Tax

The progressive tax rates applied for income tax in the Netherlands are below the average of 35% to 49.5%, depending on income. On arrival at the place where you want to work, you are issued an income tax number (BSN), which employers are supposed to use to pay your income tax on a pay-per-week basis known as PAYE (pay as you earn). 

This implies that taxes are taken directly from the employee's salary. Working holiday visa holders are usually allowed the general tax credit, which is a part of the general tax relief that 

will decrease your overall amount of tax.

Tax Returns

You will likely submit a Dutch tax return (aangifte) for any fiscal year in which you earned income in the Netherlands. The tax year runs from January to December, with returns typically due by May 1 of the following year. 

Electronic filing is possible on the English-language website of the Belastingdienst (the Dutch Tax Administration).

Top Tip: Don't throw away work contracts and payslips once you have completed the contracts or you are leaving the country; Belastingdienst may ask for them in the future, and they are helpful for possible tax refunds.

FAQs About the Netherlands Working Holiday Visa

Can I extend my Working Holiday Visa after 12 months? 

No, the Netherlands Working Holiday Visa cannot be renewed upon the expiration of the one-year permit. But, if you want to extend your stay, you can apply for a different type of visa, such as a highly skilled migrant visa or student visa, provided you fulfil the expected criteria.

Do you have to speak Dutch to get a job in the Netherlands? 

Even though knowing the Dutch language can be beneficial, there are several vacancies for English-speaking individuals, especially in major cities. Foreign languages are commonly used in many industries, such as hospitality, tourism and international business. The Netherlands, in particular, has the highest rate of English language proficiency in Europe.

Can a Working Holiday visa holder study full-time?

No, you are primarily going on holiday, so work and study can only be incidental. You can attend a course as a part-time or language student, though a student visa is required for full-time education.

Can I travel to other Schengen countries with my Netherlands Working Holiday Visa? 

Yes, you will be able to travel within the Schengen Area while holding the Netherlands Working Holiday Visa for 90 days to 180 days. However, you cannot work in other Schengen countries while on this visa since your work permit is restricted only to the Netherlands.

How difficult is it to find accommodation in the Netherlands?

Getting an affordable place to live in the Netherlands, Amsterdam, for instance, is hard given the fact that there is a housing deficit. Begin your search well before your arrival, plan for higher expenses than you might anticipate, and look for apartments in small towns and cities or on the outskirts, where you will find relatively cheaper apartments or flats with less competition.

Final Thoughts

There's more to the Netherlands than just pretty windmills and flower fields. The real magic happens when you find your place in this progressive yet welcoming country. 

Whether cycling through morning fog or sharing drinks with friends on Friday evenings, your time here will change your perspective on the world. And the warm feeling of belonging you'll discover in Dutch daily life might become your most valuable souvenir.

If you want to learn about the working holiday visa’s for other countries, we have extensive guides for countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Korea, Taiwan, Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong and more coming.