The European Labor Authority (EURES) has recently reported approximately 200,000 open job vacancies in the Netherlands, highlighting the country’s vibrant but challenging employment landscape.
Despite boasting a low unemployment rate of 3.5%, considered historically low by the EU Commission, the Netherlands grapples with persistent labor shortages across various sectors.
The demand for skilled professionals is particularly high in sectors such as information technology, management, engineering, healthcare, and logistics. The 15 occupational groups facing the most acute labor market shortages include:
The Employee Insurance Agency (UWE) identifies education, industry, technology, IT, transport, and logistics as promising professions, where the demand for skilled workers exceeds the available workforce. Recently added to this list are occupations such as collection officers, schedulers and personnel planners, inland shipping skippers, fashion sales staff (clothing and shoes), and communications advisors.
Foreigners with expertise in these occupations may find increased opportunities to secure a work visa in the Netherlands. However, obtaining a Dutch work visa requires an employment contract with a Dutch employer, meeting the minimum wage criteria for employees over 23, and a demonstration that the position couldn’t be filled by a Dutch or other EU/EEA national.
The level of education required varies across professions, and job seekers are advised to carefully review specific job requirements. For roles like police officers, opticians, tax advisors, or online marketers, higher education or specialized training is often necessary. On the other hand, positions like traffic controller, kitchen assistant, catering staff, drugstore sales associate, and customer contact employees typically require little or no specific experience.
Citizens of EU or EEA countries and Switzerland enjoy certain privileges, as they don’t need a work visa to secure employment in the Netherlands. However, for stays exceeding four months, obtaining a Citizen Service Number is mandatory.
Navigating the Dutch job market requires a tailored approach based on individual skills, qualifications, and the specific demands of the desired profession. Job seekers are encouraged to stay informed about evolving trends and requirements to enhance their chances of success in the competitive Dutch job market.
