NS is hitting the brakes on digital payment tricks — some cards just got kicked off the train. In other words, your digital debit card may no longer work when checking in.
According to NOS, since July 1, the NS has said a firm doei to digital cards from services such as Revolut, Paysafe, and Vivid, after a sneaky loophole let some passengers ride without paying.
Let’s break it down. 👇
Tap in, ride free, delete the evidence
Here’s where the problem lies. Many digital card services give you the option of creating temporary virtual cards when completing transactions.
This means that NS passengers could check in and out using these temporary cards, ride the train as normal, then delete the card before the fare was charged.
Because OVpay only processes payments AFTER checkout, NS found that it couldn’t collect the fare. Everything looked valid on the surface, but the money? Gone. 💨
The flaw isn’t new. This kind of fare-dodging has been possible for years. But this is the first time any payment services have been blocked over it.
In May, Translink — the company behind OVpay — warned Revolut, Paysafe, and Vivid that their cards would be blocked unless they took action. No fixes were made, so here we are.
NS says enough is enough
The NS tells NOS that the issue has gotten too big to ignore. A spokesperson calls it ”serious abuse,” and says the company didn’t make this decision lightly.
As for the financial damage? That’s still unclear. Translink, which handles OVpay transactions, declines to say how much money couldn’t be collected.
Revolut isn’t exactly thrilled. A spokesperson tells NOS the company disagrees with the decision and is figuring out the best way to respond for its Dutch users.
Translink, meanwhile, stands by the way OVpay is set up. Charging fares instantly, they explain, would slow everything down.
Vivid says it’s working on a technical fix, expected to launch in September. Paysafe, on the other hand, remains completely silent. 👀
Was NS right to shut the gates — or should they have found a fix that didn’t hit everyone? Let us know in the comments below! 💬
Ever look at a space and think, I want to squeeze my body in there? No? Well, one man did. And the space in question was inside a Zeeland bridge.
Taking to Instagram, Dutch police described the incident, which belongs “in the special reports category.”
According to the post, a passerby heard someone calling for help and alerted police. Once they arrived on the scene, they were shocked to see a man’s hand sticking out from between two sections of the bridge.
Once the police were able to contact the person attached to the hand, they discovered that the man had been trapped in his precarious position for no less than 12 hours.
The man told police he had forced himself through a door — which then slammed shut behind him.
According to the post, the man “stated that he wanted to look inside out of curiosity.”
Thankfully, he was in good health (although perhaps a little embarrassed) when he was rescued.
If you checked Buienradar in recent days and saw temperatures of 40°C and hurricane-force winds forecast for August 15, you weren’t alone. But no, the Netherlands isn’t about to turn into a subtropical disaster zone.
This, the weather agency has confirmed, was just a good old-fashioned tech glitch.
Thanks to a hiccup in Buienradar’s automated forecasting system, the weather predictions for August 15 went completely off the rails.
The app and website showed extreme conditions that had many people blinking twice (and maybe reconsidering their BBQ plans).
In reality, we can expect quite a nice Dutch summer day with temperatures of around 25°C.
Where did 40 degrees come from?
So, what happened? Automated weather systems pull data from a mix of global models. They’re fast and powerful, but not flawless.
Especially near the end of forecast periods, minor data delivery issues can cause major visual chaos. It’s a bit like the weather equivalent of autocorrect gone rogue.
The error only affected the final day in the forecast window, and it’s already been corrected. All other days showed an accurate forecast.
So if you’re still seeing tropical doom, give your app a refresh.
The dramatic forecast was a short-lived digital blip, not a real-life weather apocalypse. It’s fixed, the skies are calm, and if you want the most reliable info going forward, always read the written forecasts along with the graphs.
It’s been a bit of a meh summer in the Netherlands, hot and cold, cloudy, and just unpredictable enough to ruin your picnic plans.
According to Nu.nl, this Friday brings more showers (and maybe a cheeky thunderstorm inland), while Saturday stays soggy in the northeast but turns sunnier elsewhere. Sunday starts dry before the clouds crash the party later on.
But don’t pack your flip-flops away just yet, from Wednesday of next week, things are looking much better. Expect dry days, more sun, and temperatures hitting 25°C or more by Thursday, especially in the south.
Still waiting for that real summer feeling? Drop a comment and let us know how you’re spending the break.
Women in Eindhoven have come forward after being harassed and receiving videos of genitals from a PostNL delivery driver.
One woman spoke with AD, telling the paper of her experience with the delivery man, who has worked in her Eindhoven neighbourhood for years.
Started with a follow request
The woman tells the paper that the harassment began with a follow requests on Instagram.
The woman could tell from the profile picture that the profile belonged to her delivery man, but denied the request. However, the requests didn’t stop.
The delivery man then managed to find the woman on Facebook and sent her a video of him playing with his genitals.
The woman responded telling the man she did not appreciate the video and asking him to stop contacting her.
But did he? No. “I saw my phone blowing up. Almost every half hour I got a message from him,” she tells AD. She blocked the man and notified the police of her situation.
Many more victims
As it turns out, this woman was not alone in experiencing harassment by the PostNL delivery man.
Another woman posted in a local Facebook group about her experience with the man, and several other women commented underneath the post saying they had experienced something similar.
By sharing details about the driver, the women were able to determine that they had all likely been harassed by the same man.
PostNL investigating the situation
When speaking with AD, the woman explained that she had filed a complaint against the delivery driver with PostNL. However, she had heard nothing back.
AD then reached out to PostNL, who then responded with the following:
“We are aware of the situation and are currently investigating it. This is, of course, completely unacceptable and in no way aligns with our standards and values. Based on the results of the investigation, we will take appropriate action.”
How do you think the company should respond? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
In the quiet countryside of Oosterwolde, Friesland, an anonymous tip led authorities to a breeder’s farm that was hiding a heartbreaking secret.
A joint inspection by the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), local police, fire brigade, and Municipal Health Service (GGD), revealed a horrific sight: 72 neglected dogs and one dead puppy.
Living conditions were awful
In a post on Instagram, the NVWA shared details about the shocking find:
The conditions were nothing short of appalling, with dogs crammed into overcrowded kennels, surrounded by filth, with some living in enclosures covered in urine and faeces.
The air was so foul that inspectors had to wear breathing masks just to go inside, and one little puppy had tragically already passed away.
However, there’s hope on the horizon
The NOS reports that each of the surviving dogs has now been transferred to shelters where they’re receiving the love, warmth, and medical care they desperately need. ❤️
To make sure this doesn’t happen again, the mayor has sealed off the breeder’s home, and the Public Prosecution Service is taking over the legal side of things.
The costs of care will be covered by the owner, who now faces serious consequences.
While their journey is far from over, these dogs are finally in good hands and hopefully on their way to loving forever homes.
A Delta flight en route to Amsterdam took a wild turn… and it’s not the kind you want at 38,000 feet. 😬
According to Flightradar24, the turbulence hit late on July 30, shortly after the aircraft departed from Salt Lake City and forced the pilots to make a diversion to Minneapolis.
A sudden drop mid-air
Delta Flight 56, operated by a two-year-old Airbus A330-900neo, departed Salt Lake City in the late afternoon and initially climbed without issue.
But at 11:23 PM UTC (just after midnight in the Netherlands), the flight suddenly encountered severe turbulence, causing it to drop 410 metres in just 30 seconds.
Radar images show other flights in the area avoiding storm activity. However, this particular flight continued through it, leading passenger Stef Rohaan to tell NU.nl he suspects the crew did not anticipate turbulence this strong.
He says the meal service had been postponed earlier, but resumed just before the incident. “That’s when it really hit. Everything started flying through the air,” he says.
Emergency landing after two hours
After encountering turbulence, the aircraft diverted to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport and landed safely at 7:51 PM local time. The flight had only been in the air for about two hours.
Delta confirmed that 25 of the 275 passengers on board were taken to local hospitals for evaluation. Flightradar24 reports that the airline describes the turbulence as “significant.”
Het Parool states that no further details about the condition of those injured have been released, while NU.nl adds that it is still unclear whether any Dutch nationals were among them.
What causes turbulence this severe?
Turbulence is a common part of flying and is usually caused by strong winds, rising air, or jet streams.
Meteorologist Matthijs van der Linden explains to NU.nl that an aircraft stays in the air because of the lift created by airflow over the wings.
“If one of the two suddenly changes, for example, due to a jet stream, there will be a sharp decrease or increase in the lift of the wings,” he says.
Sudden pressure changes can lead to violent shaking or a rapid drop in altitude, as experienced by Delta Flight 56.
Have you ever experienced turbulence this severe? Share your experiences in the comments below. 👇
This is probably the biggest reason why the Dutch later have the guts to challenge or even criticise their boss.
Who is the boss in the picture? Image: Pixabay
Some managers want you to not just nod and write down whatever they are telling you. They want you to question what they are saying to have a better end result or product.
It may seem strange to you that a Dutch employee can disagree with their boss in a meeting, but it’s easy to get used to.
Some people may think it’s fake, saying their manager is only pretending not to have power over their employees, but in real life, they do.
It’s a valid point, but at the end of the day, Dutch bosses are held accountable for their positions and employees are treated with as much respect as their employer counterparts.
Should you join in?
Yes! If you can find a Dutch workplace like this, you will love it!
It is more direct, but at the same time, you’re treated as an equal rather than as an underling to your boss. Sounds good, right?
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
Whether you’re eating delicious pannekoeken, uitsmijter, or stamppot, another hidden essential to a Dutch meal is a tall glass of milk!?
Yeah, that’s right. Dutchies will have their usual glasses of water (obviously) and beer (because, you know, they’re Dutch), but they’ll also be sure to get a huge helping of milk.
What is it?
Regardless of the meal (breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner), Dutch people will drink a huge glass of milk with their food, whether or not it goes well with what they’re eating.
Drinking milk as kids is probably why the Dutch grow so tall! Image: Depositphotos
Aardappels, vlees, groente (potatoes, meat, vegetables), pea soup, or bread with cheese? They’ll have it with milk on the side.
Sure, we understand a glass of milk in the morning when waking up or at night before going to bed. But during every single meal of the day?
It seems just a little excessive.
Why do they do it?
Well, you’ve probably heard about how milk is rich in nutrients — milk proteins and fats, vitamins, minerals, and calcium.
It makes sense that Dutchies would probably rather drink something like milk over juices or tea (although you can pry their coffee mugs from their cold, dead hands).
Milk is known to help make your bones grow strong and supposedly make you grow taller.
Why is it quirky?
It seems like obsessive milk drinking does have its perks. Just look at the size and build of the Dutch!
Dutch parents do their best to get their kids to drink lots of milk to grow their bones. Is that the magic ingredient that makes Dutch kids the tallest in the world?
We’re not sure. But they might be onto something. 🤔
Should you join in?
Not every stomach is built for drinking milk (curse you, lactose intolerance!), so maybe every single meal is too excessive.
However, drinking milk in moderation isn’t bad for you, so why not enjoy a glass every now and then? Maybe just don’t pair it with pea soup.
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
Dordrecht is perfect for a day trip from Rotterdam. It’s just a quick 14-minute train ride, and it’s accessible even by ferry. It’s not too far for Amsterdam either, with the journey taking 90 minutes one way.
With that background, I can unequivocally say that Dordrecht is a very under-appreciated gem. Often ignored, but very much worth a day trip or even a weekend getaway.
The charm of going on a day trip to Dordrecht
Dordrecht has all of the quaint, gezellig qualities we associate and love about the Netherlands, plus some unique features too.
There are gorgeous canals and step-gabled architecture, beautiful people buzzing by on bicycles, outdoor squares (Schefferslein and Grote Markt, among other convivial spots) where fluitjes of beer and plates of bitterballen await, as well as the usual touristy streets.
Make sure to catch a boat tour on one of Dordrecht’s wonderful canals! Image: Depositphotos
But the mystical Dordrecht is also drenched in history! Plus, its quaint harbour-like layout and its position on the banks of the huge Oude Maas river make it truly outstanding.
Dordrecht, in my Dutch travels, is one of the cutest and friendliest of all the towns I’ve visited in the Netherlands.
The history of Dordrecht
Dordrecht is ancient. In fact, it’s one of the oldest river towns in the Netherlands.
Claiming a critically strategic geographic position where several smaller rivers converge into one giant one, the town emerged centuries ago as a major trading centre and commercial hot spot.
It’s claimed that Dordrecht is the oldest official town in the country. Having been granted a city charter in 1220, it’s older than Amsterdam, Leiden, Haarlem, or Utrecht.
And for those early centuries, Dordrecht was one of the most powerful political and trading centres in the land, or — more appropriately — on the water.
Dam and harbour of the Maas river in Dordrecht, 1890 – 1900. Image: Photoglob Zürich/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
In 1572, at the beginning of the Eighty Years’ War (the Dutch war of independence from occupying Spain), it was in Dordrecht where political, military, and ruling class leaders from all over the Netherlands met to declare independence.
War and future independence were sparked here. For Americans, it would be like the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 in Philadelphia, when the newly formed United States declared itself free from England. Here, in Dordrecht, a similar political event unfolded, more than 200 years earlier.
To get a sense of Dordrecht’s past, check out the anonymously painted “St. Elizabeth’s Day Flood” in the Rijksmuseum. It’s an amazing painting depicting the tragic events of 1421 when the dykes in the surrounding countryside were breached and 22 villages were swept away in the flooding.
You’ll realise that most of Dordrecht looks pretty much the same today as it is depicted in the painting! The Grote Kerk in Dordrecht’s old town looks the same, and the view from the top makes you feel as if you’ve climbed right inside the “St. Elizabeth’s Day Flood” painting itself.
Where to start (and continue) your day trip to Dordrecht
For a modern visitor to Dordrecht, the town is easy to walk around. Unlike Rotterdam or Amsterdam, it’s so small you can hardly get lost. Keep wandering around, and when you get to the river, turn around.
You’ll likely start your visit from the tiny train station. Look out the window as you approach the town for excellent views.
The walk into the town centre is very short and fast. Make sure you stop by the VVV (tourist information centre) on your way to grab a free map of the town or buy tickets to the museum here. The ladies behind the desk might be the most friendly Dutch people anywhere!
Grote Kerk in all its gothic glory. Image: Depositphotos
Then, after getting oriented, head for the Visbrug — the landmark bridge over the Wijnhaven canal at the foot of the Stadhuis. Note the two lion sculptures in repose, guarding the magnificence of the environment.
Wander the streets in this central neighbourhood and you’ll see some of the oldest houses in town, many dating from the 1660s. Stroll down Voorstraat, one of the nicest shopping streets, until you see the noble Augustinerkerk.
It is an elegant old church with a small, almost hidden doorway leading to Het Hof, a gorgeous hideaway spot of tranquillity where you can almost sense the ghosts of important town citizens strolling around conducting business deals and gossiping about ships and commerce.
Then walk down to where the land comes to a point sticking into the river, the Groothoofdspoort. This is the ideal spot to look out over the water and let the mind wander and soak in the ambience. The riverfront views are incredible.
Take a seat on one of the promenade benches and enjoy the views. You’ll see pleasure boats bobbing out on the water. Perhaps even a huge commercial tanker drifting by like a whale!
And you’ll find outdoor cafés on each corner, dotting the streets. Stop for a coffee or a beer and relax — this is about as Dutch as you can get!
Museums to visit on your day trip to Dordrecht
The one museum you shouldn’t miss is the Dordrechts Museum. It’s sort of like a mini-Rijksmuseum but way less intimidating and manageable to explore in one visit.
However, you’ll still want to devote at least a solid two hours to exploring the important classic art and rotating modern art exhibits, with a stop at the nice gift shop and typical café inside.
Van Goyen’s ‘View of Dordrecht’ is a masterpiece. As you’re looking at the painting, suddenly, it will hit you. Image: Jan van Goyen/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
In the museum itself, you’ll get to enjoy treasures by Dutch Masters Jan van Goyen (1596-1656) and Albert Cuyp (1620-1691), among many others.
I also made time for a quick visit to the Museum 1940-1945. It depicts the Nazi occupation of Dordrecht, the subsequent Dutch resistance movement, and the story of World War II in the southern region of the Netherlands during a very dark period of history.
It’s a tiny museum — like the ground floor of a townhouse, tiny — but the men who guide you through it are extremely kind.
I asked about a film, and the next thing I knew, they had set up a TV monitor and placed old VCR tapes on for me to watch. Dordrecht is truly a great small town for an authentic Dutch experience.
Must-see on your day trip to Dordrecht: Grote Kerk
After checking out the stunning Dordrechts Museum, wander toward the Grote Kerk on the other side of town. You can’t miss it — look up!
Like those Parisian hotels that boast an “Eiffel Tower view” (which, in my opinion, is a scam since you can see the Eiffel Tower from ANYWHERE in Paris), the Grote Kerk looms majestically over Dordrecht as if to guard its ancient secrets and spirit.
Built over 150 years, the Grote Kerk allows visitors to climb the spiral stairs to the top — all 275 steps!
Have you ever been on a day trip to Dordrecht? Tell us in the comments below what your favourite thing was! 👇
When considering getting a visa for the Netherlands, you may be wondering, “Can I just get a sponsored visa through a job?”
It may seem like an easy route; find a job, snap up an easy visa, and maybe even have your employer pay for your relocation costs to Holland.
In practice — unfortunately, it’s not that easy.
Sponsored jobs are few and far between in the Netherlands, thanks to a highly proficient workforce of Dutchies and a work pool that includes almost the entire European Union.
However, don’t despair. It is possible to find success in landing a sponsored job in the Netherlands — here’s how.
We teamed up with our friends at Undutchables for this article because they’re the experts when it comes to getting employed in the Netherlands! If you’re looking for a job in the Netherlands, we highly recommend getting in touch. 🇳🇱 🎉
What is a sponsored job?
Let’s start with the basics. A sponsored job is employment where your employer also helps you to gain a work visa.
Essentially, a company, university, or research institution in the Netherlands wants you, an international, to come and work for them.
This employer loves you so much and thinks you’ll do such an amazing job that they’re willing to vouch for you at immigration just to get you a visa to work in the country.
Pretty sweet deal, right?
The handshake that could confirm your brand new job — AND your visa. Image: Freepik
But there is one main caveat: in the Netherlands, not every employer can sponsor someone for a job. In most cases, they first must be considered a recognised sponsor by the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND).
We’ll tell you exactly what a “recognised sponsor” is (and how to find one) later.
What is the benefit of getting a sponsored job in Holland?
Snapping up a sponsored job in the Netherlands will generally make your life much easier compared to taking another visa route (unless you’re from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland).
To start, if you become employed by a recognised sponsor, you’ll enjoy a fast-tracked application for your work visa from the IND. It will also only take around two weeks to get a visa instead of three months!
For you, that means less waiting around to get your visa and a quicker chance to jump straight into your new job (and new Dutch life!)
There are other benefits, too. For example, if you arrive to work for a recognised sponsor and you’re considered a Highly Skilled Migrant or have a European Blue Card, your employer has to give you a pretty decent wage:
Visa/Permit Type
Minimum salary in 2025 (excl. 8% holiday pay)
Highly skilled migrants 30 years or older
€5,688 gross per month
Highly skilled migrants younger than 30 years
€4,171 gross per month
Reduced salary criterion
€2,989 gross per month
European Blue Card
€5,688 gross per month
Compare those numbers to the Dutch minimum wage of €2,506 gross per month in 2025 (based on 40 hours per week), and you have yourself a pretty attractive salary!
Is it difficult to get a sponsored job in the Netherlands?
This is the bad news — it’s not particularly easy to land a sponsored job in the Netherlands.
Some jobs are easier than others. For example, au pairs often work through an agency that is a recognised sponsor, and there are typically more jobs available for au pairs than for other professions.
Dutch jobs are renowned for having great work-life balance, good social lives, and casual atmospheres. Image: Freepik
However, if you’re in a field with a lot of competition, particularly in the local market, some employers don’t want to apply for sponsorship when they have a willing market of workers right in front of them.
Considering the Schengen agreement made it possible for anyone in the Schengen Zone (26 European countries!) to live and work in the Netherlands, this (unfortunately) happens more often than you might think.
How can I get a sponsored job in the Netherlands?
However, if you think you’ve got a competitive edge or are trained in a much-needed workforce, you may have better luck. So what options will you have? Let’s take a look.
Want a head start in finding the perfect non-Dutch speaking job in the Netherlands? Check out Undutchables! They’re the expert recruitment agency for internationals in the Netherlands and are incredibly helpful for anything to do with working in Holland.Search for a job in the Netherlands here.
Highly-skilled migrant (Kennismigrant)
A highly skilled migrant (HSM) visa is one of the most common options for sponsored jobs in the Netherlands.
This visa is for people who are not from the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland, or Switzerland, but who are highly educated, and who are deemed to contribute to the Dutch knowledge-based economy. For example (but not limited to), a university lecturer, an IT project manager, a scientific researcher, or a doctor in training.
To be eligible as a highly-skilled migrant, the migrant needs to:
have a job lined up with a recognised sponsor, and
💡 TIP: Are you in a field that is considered in high demand in the Netherlands? If you’re recruited from abroad (before you live in the country), you might be eligible for the 30% ruling where you receive great tax benefits! Read more.
Other paid employment (Andere arbeid in loondienst)
If you don’t qualify as a highly-skilled migrant, your employer can also apply under other paid employment — or andere arbeid in loondienst.
This is difficult because the employer must prove that no one in the local labour market can fill the position they are offering you.
The IND will seek confirmation of this from the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency). If the UWV decides that there are suitable job seekers in the Netherlands for the position, it will advise the IND of this — and your application will be rejected. Ouch!
However, there are some exceptions to the labour market test. For example, top athletes, spiritual ministers, musicians, or chefs for Asian restaurants need a residence permit, but don’t need to be referred to the UWV.
A sponsored job can be a little more work for the company — but we’re sure you’ll make it worth it. 😉 Image: Freepik
Other visa options for a sponsored job
If you find that you’re not eligible for a highly skilled migrant visa or a different paid employment visa, don’t stress. You can also consider:
A European Blue Card: similar to the highly skilled migrant visa, the European Blue Card is for people who are well-educated. However, most people prefer the HSM visa for the lower minimum salary, a quicker approval process, and fewer document requirements.
Intra Corporate Transferee (Directive 2014/66/EU): for employees at a company outside the EU who are being transferred as a trainee, manager, or specialist to a branch in the Netherlands.
Researcher within the meaning of Council Directive (EU) 2016/801: despite the long name, this is pretty simple: this visa is for researchers who are employed by a recognised sponsor and who will be paid with a grant or salary.
Orientation year highly educated persons (zoekjaar): if you have graduated from a Dutch university, obtained a master’s, post-masters, or PhD from a designated foreign higher education institution, or performed scientific research in the Netherlands, you could be eligible for a zoekjaar visa. With this, you can live and work in the Netherlands for up to one year while trying to find a more long-term option.
What is a recognised sponsor — and why is it important?
We’ve been throwing around this “recognised sponsor” term throughout this article, so you’ve probably figured it’s pretty essential — and you’re correct.
A recognised sponsor is an organisation that has applied to and been accepted by the IND and, therefore, benefits from streamlined visa applications for their international employees.
If you’re applying as a highly-skilled migrant or a researcher, your employer must be a recognised sponsor.
There are over 9000 companies in the Netherlands that can sponsor visas. Image: Freepik
However, if you apply for an Intra Corporate Transferee, European Blue Card, or for other work in paid employment visa, your employer doesn’t need to be a recognised sponsor, but can just be a sponsor.
There are plenty of recognised sponsors already. According to the IND, there are:
over 80 recognised sponsors which are registered educational institutions
over 30 companies recognised as sponsors for au pairs.
over 9,000 companies who can sponsor labour or highly skilled migrants
over 140 recognized sponsors for research purposes under the Public Register Researcher Directive EU 2016/801.
Some major companies or companies that hire internationals regularly may already be a recognised sponsor. Otherwise, they need to apply, be approved, and pay a significant fee.
Can my employer become a recognised sponsor?
Almost any company can apply to be a recognised sponsor, but they do have to fulfil some requirements.
There’s a long list of conditions to become a recognised sponsor, including things like being listed on the Commercial Register and being in good financial standing.
There’s also a hefty fee — €4,866 as of 2024. However, that fee is reduced to just €2,432 if the company has less than 50 employees.
Does my company need to be the recognised sponsor?
Actually, no. If you want to be sponsored for a job in the Netherlands, your employer doesn’t have to be the registered sponsor. Instead, you can go through a payroll company, or in some rarer cases, a recruitment agency.
How to use a payroll company or recruitment agency as a recognised sponsor
A payroll company is a company that “hires” you on behalf of your actual employer.
They often offer administrative support and can be a great workaround for arranging visa, tax, or payroll requirements that your company is not able to provide.
Your potential employer may suggest using a payroll company, or you could also suggest it as an option.
Be prepared to bike to work every morning when working in the Netherlands. Image: Freepik
These companies act as your employer, apply to the IND as a recognised sponsor, and then have a contract with the company you want to work with for you to work at that company instead.
Of course, there are some fees involved with this, so you and the company should keep this in mind if you choose this option.
Recruitment agencies generally work in a similar way once you have been hired. However, getting a sponsored job directly through your recruitment agency is less common.
While payroll companies can add you to the administration after you’ve come to an agreement with a new employer, recruitment agencies are responsible for the entire hiring process and must be involved with matching you with your new employer from the start.
What companies are recognised sponsors in the Netherlands?
There are thousands of companies that are already recognised sponsors by the IND. These include major companies like Allianz, Booking.com, bunq, Shell, Johnson & Johnson, and Netflix.
If you’re curious to know if your potential company is already a recognised sponsor, you can check out the IND’s Public Register to find full lists of recognised sponsors in the Netherlands.
What other options do I have to get a work visa in the Netherlands?
If none of the above options tickled your fancy, don’t stress. Even if you can’t land a sponsored job, there are still plenty of other visa options to work in the Netherlands.
Were you lucky enough to land a sponsored job in the Netherlands? Share your experience in the comments below!
Getting a sponsored job in the Netherlands: Frequently asked questions
How do I get work sponsorship in the Netherlands?
To get a sponsored job in the Netherlands, you’ll need to first find a company that is authorised to sponsor your visa. You can apply to that company for a job, and if it’s a match, then they’ll submit your paperwork to the Dutch immigration department.
Can a company sponsor me to work in the Netherlands?
Yes! Companies in the Netherlands can sponsor workers to come to the country. There are certain conditions placed on this, like higher minimum salaries and sometimes a requirement that the job is so specialised someone already living in the Netherlands can’t perform the same job.
How can a foreigner get a job in the Netherlands?
A foreigner can get a job in the Netherlands by getting a visa that allows them to work in the country. This could be a highly-skilled migrant visa, a European Blue Card, a Zoekjaar (Search Year) visa, or more.
Which companies in the Netherlands sponsor visas for foreign workers?
There are over 9,000 companies that can sponsor a visa for workers abroad. Some of the biggest ones include Allianz, Booking.com, bunq, Shell, Johnson & Johnson, and Netflix.
Can I apply for a work permit in the Netherlands without a job offer?
To apply for a standard work permit in the Netherlands as a non-EU/EEA/or Swiss citizen, you’ll typically need a job offer first.
There are a few exceptions though, like the zoekjaar visa that allows you to stay and work in the Netherlands for up to a year while looking for work after graduating from a Dutch university or a recognized foreign institute of higher education, or a Working Holiday Visa if you’re under the age limit and part of an authorised country.
You can also check the IND website to see if another permit application applies to your situation (i.e., family and partner or asylum permits).
