Your worker rights
Like renters, workers are well-protected by the Dutch law. It's essential to know what your rights are TO work, and your rights AT work.
If you have visa-related questions based on this, our friends at the IWCN can help you out.
Your employer will likely not inform you about your worker rights
Worse - and we don't like to see it, but it happens - is that an employer could abuse your lack of knowledge. It's in your best interest to know what your rights are so that you can advocate for yourself if your work hours cross legal limits, if you get issues with your contract, or if you feel discriminated against at work.
Your labor rights in the Netherlands
Workers are well-protected by labor rights in the Netherlands—so it’s good to invest some time into knowing what your rights are!
Work in NL's Website How do contracts work in the Netherlands, and what is a CAO? How do holidays and day off work? Do I need a Dutch health insurance to work? (and other health-related questions) Questions about Dutch health insurance & glossary How do work hours and breaks work? Having issues with your contract or employer? Get free legal advice at Het Juridisch Loket Feeling discriminated at work? Get help in English from discriminatie.nlBut I’m not sure if I’m allowed to work in the Netherlands…
Your right to work in the Netherlands depends on what type of citizenship you have.
- If you are an EU citizen, then you are allowed to work freely in the Netherlands without a working permit.
- If you are a non-EU citizen, not all permits that allow you to remain in the country legally, give you the right to work — so be sure to check your permit carefully! The following statements on your residence permit card will confirm whether or not you are allowed to work (freely) in the Netherlands:
- Arbeid vrij-toegestaan: Allowed to work freely
- Arbeid niet toegestaan: Not allowed to work
- TWV vereist: Work permit mandatory – this means that you are allowed to work, but your employer needs to arrange a work permit for you.
- TWV niet vereist: Work permit not mandatory – this means that you are allowed to work without having to arrange a work permit.
For non-EU students: There is a limitation on the number of working hours, set at 16 hours per week OR only full-time during the summer months (June, July, and August). This limitation does not apply to internships.
