Moving to the Netherlands for Work
Before travelling, confirm your right to work, employment conditions, accommodation, arrival instructions and transport. Prepare your documents, suitable clothing and enough money for your first days.
What should you arrange before moving to the Netherlands for work?
Confirm that you can legally work in the Netherlands, request the employment conditions in writing, verify the accommodation and transport arrangements, prepare the required documents and confirm exactly where and when you must arrive.
Do not book your journey until the job, starting date and accommodation arrangements have been clearly confirmed.
Can you legally work in the Netherlands?
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens can generally work in the Netherlands without a Dutch work permit. Candidates from outside these countries normally require valid Dutch work authorisation.
A residence permit from another European country does not automatically provide the right to work in the Netherlands. Verify your status before accepting a position or booking travel.
What should you confirm before accepting a Netherlands job?
Employer and position
- Employer or agency name
- Job title and main duties
- Workplace location
- Starting date
Salary and hours
- Gross salary
- Expected hours
- Overtime and allowances
- Payment frequency
Housing and transport
- Room type
- Weekly housing cost
- Distance from work
- Transport arrangement
Contract and requirements
- Contract duration
- Insurance arrangements
- Required certificates
- Arrival contact person
Which documents should you prepare before travelling?
Identity documents
- Passport or national ID
- Work authorisation
- Employment offer or contract
- Arrival information
Professional documents
- English-language CV
- Driving licence
- Code 95 or driver card
- Trade certificates
Role-specific proof
- Forklift or reach-truck certificate
- VCA
- Welding certificates
- Technical diplomas and references
Administrative information
- Bank details
- BSN, when available
- Insurance details
- Emergency contact
What should you ask about accommodation before moving?
Do not assume that housing is free or that every candidate receives a private room. Ask for clear information before travelling.
What should you bring when moving to the Netherlands for work?
Documents
- Passport or ID
- Contract and arrival details
- Licences and certificates
- Bank and emergency information
Clothing
- Waterproof jacket
- Warm layers
- Closed shoes
- Suitable workwear
Personal items
- Medication
- Toiletries
- Telephone and chargers
- Food or money for arrival day
Work-related items
- Safety shoes, if required
- Work gloves
- High-visibility clothing
- Tools only when confirmed
What should you not bring?
- Large household items
- Unconfirmed tools or equipment
- Expensive items that cannot be stored securely
- Bedding when it is already supplied
- Products restricted by airlines or customs
- Items prohibited by accommodation rules
- Illegal substances, weapons or dangerous products
How much money should you bring?
There is no single correct amount. Bring enough money to cover your basic expenses until the first confirmed salary date, plus an emergency reserve.
Food
Groceries and meals until your first salary payment.
Local transport
Airport transfer, public transport or unexpected travel.
Initial costs
Deposit, SIM card, work clothing or basic household items.
Emergency reserve
Money for delays, unexpected accommodation or return travel.
When should you book your journey?
Book your journey only after the job, starting date, accommodation and arrival instructions have been confirmed.
Confirm the destination
Check the airport, station, accommodation address and workplace region.
Check the arrival time
Confirm the latest check-in time and whether public transport will still operate.
Confirm collection
Know whether someone will collect you or whether you must travel independently.
Prepare for delays
Save the contact number and agree on what to do if your journey is delayed.
What should you do on arrival day?
Inform your contact person
Confirm that you have arrived and report any delay immediately.
Check the accommodation
Photograph the room and report existing damage.
Confirm the first working day
Check the meeting point, start time, clothing and transport.
Prepare basic supplies
Buy food, charge your phone and store your documents securely.
What should you arrange during your first week?
Work setup
- Onboarding
- Work schedule
- Transport
- Safety instructions
Registration
- BSN or RNI appointment
- Municipality registration
- Address details
- Government correspondence
Financial setup
- Bank details
- Salary date
- Deductions
- SIM card or phone plan
Daily life
- Groceries
- Healthcare information
- Emergency numbers
- Accommodation rules
What mistakes should foreign workers avoid?
Booking too early
Do not book travel before receiving written confirmation of the job and accommodation.
Ignoring arrival times
Avoid arriving after accommodation check-in or after the final public-transport connection.
Assuming costs
Do not assume accommodation, transport or insurance is free unless confirmed.
Travelling unprepared
Carry documents, certificates, emergency money and contact details.
Not checking the room
Confirm whether the bedroom is private or shared before accepting.
Missing work requirements
Do not leave required licences, safety shoes or certificates at home.
Unclear salary deductions
Ask which costs will appear on your payslip and when you will receive your first payment.
Sharing documents unsafely
Do not send original identity documents to unknown parties.
Example: moving to Tilburg for a warehouse job
A Romanian warehouse worker travelling to a job near Tilburg should first confirm the employer, accommodation address, room type, salary, first payment date and transport to the warehouse. Before booking a flight to Eindhoven Airport, the candidate should verify the accommodation check-in time and whether collection is provided.
The candidate should carry a valid identity card, job information, certificate documents, suitable clothing and emergency funds.
Moving and preparation guides
These detailed guides will form the complete moving and preparation cluster.
Complete moving checklist
A step-by-step checklist from accepting the job to starting work.
Read this sectionWhat to bring
A practical packing guide for foreign workers.
Read this sectionHow much money to bring
Plan food, transport, deposits and emergency costs.
Read this sectionYour first week
Registration, transport, insurance and daily setup.
Read this sectionWhat not to bring
Avoid unnecessary, restricted or unsuitable items.
Read this sectionConfirm before travel
What to verify before booking your journey.
Read this sectionEmergency contacts
Important numbers and what to do when something goes wrong.
Read first-week guidanceDocuments required
Identity, work, registration and professional documents.
Read this sectionFrequently asked questions
What do I need before moving to the Netherlands for work?
You need confirmed employment conditions, accommodation and arrival instructions, the correct identity and work documents, suitable clothing and enough money for your first days.
Can I move before I have a confirmed job?
You can, but it creates financial and practical risk. For agency work, it is safer to travel after the job, accommodation and starting date have been confirmed.
How much money should I bring?
Bring enough for food, local transport and personal costs until your first confirmed salary date, plus an emergency reserve.
Do I need a BSN before travelling?
Not always. Many candidates arrange their BSN or RNI registration after arrival. Confirm the process with the employer or agency.
Should I bring work shoes?
Bring safety shoes only when the employer or agency confirms that you must provide them yourself.
Is bedding provided?
It depends on the accommodation. Confirm whether sheets, blankets, pillows and towels are supplied before packing.
When should I book my flight?
Book only after the job, starting date, accommodation and arrival instructions have been confirmed.
Can couples move together?
Yes, but jobs, starting dates and shared accommodation together cannot always be guaranteed.
Can I bring my own car?
Yes, but confirm parking, registration, insurance and whether the car is needed for the job.
What happens if my flight is delayed?
Contact the recruiter or arrival contact immediately and follow the agreed alternative-arrival instructions.
Looking for work in the Netherlands?
Explore current vacancies or register your profile. A recruiter can review your experience, documents, English level, availability and job preferences.