Living and Working in the Netherlands in 2010. A presentation given at the EURES European Job Days in Lisbon on the 21st of October.

1. Living and Working in the Netherlands

2. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 2
The Netherlands
 Windmills,
 Tulips
 Wooden shoes
 Cheese and milk
 The Polder model
 Soft drugs
 The struggle against
the sea

3. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 3
Present situation labour market
 In general 2.2% economic growth in 2010
Growing fast: Still problematic:
- industry - construction
- wholesale - hotel and catering industry
- transportation - retail
- agriculture
 Unemployment rate 5.7% (449.000), decreasing
 15% more vacancies in 2010 than 2009 at PES

4. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 4
Opportunities
 Health care
 Callcenter agents
 Cooks
 Industrial cleaners
 Engineers
 Qualified welders and pipe fitters

5. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 5
Keep in mind
 Language
 Competences / diploma
 Application from abroad
 Cultural aspects
 Relocation / accommodation
 Extra costs first months

6. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 6
How to find a job?
 Public employment service and Eures
- www.werk.nl
- www.eures.europa.eu
 Internet
- Job sites
- Company sites
 Job advertisements in newspapers
 Spontaneous applications
 Flexwork agencies
- Specific legislation

7. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 7
Application
 Formal application letter and CV
- Email
- Post (not written by hand)
 Interview
- Formal
- Pro-active
- If requested diplomas and recommendations

8. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 8
Wages
 Legal minimum wage
- 23 years and older : € 1416,00 gross / month
- 18 – 22 years  depending on age a percentage of the
minimum wage
 Wage as agreed in Collective Labour Agreements (CAO)
- Also for recruitment agencies
 Wages can be negotiated between employer and
employee

9. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 9
Social security
National insurance (volksverzekeringen)
 Social benefits/special health insurance (AWBZ)
 General old age pension (AOW)
 Widow’s Pension (ANW)
 Child benefits (AKW)
Employee insurance
 Unemployment benefits
 Disability insurance
 Sickness benefits
Health insurance
- Private insurance

10. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 10
Registration
 Apply for a sofi-number (fiscal number) at the tax office
 Suggestion: Visit (im)migration counter (GBA) of the
Civil Affairs Department (Burgerzaken) at your local
council.
 Residency > 3 months  registration at GBA and
Immigration office (IND) obliged in order to obtain
residence permit.

11. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 11
Recognition of diplomas NL
 www.idw.nl
 www.colo.nl
 www.nuffic.nl

12. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 12
Websites
 www.werk.nl (Public Employment Service NL)
 www.eures.europa.eu
 www.belastingdienst.nl (tax office, site in english)
 www.svb.nl (social security, site different languages)
 www.newtoholland.nl

13. Living and Working in the Netherlands PAG 13
Thank you for your attention