Beginner’s guide: working in the Netherlands

Whether you’ve just finished school and are looking for your first job, or you’ve moved to Eindhoven for work (or love), this is the guide for you. We’ll tell you everything about working in the Netherlands – from practical tips to cultural clichés that might actually be true.

First, a little reassurance: Dutch people are not exactly shy about their opinions. And if you sometimes hear them complain about work, it might be hard to believe that the Netherlands ranks 4th globally for employee satisfaction. Only Finland, Iceland and Denmark score higher. So yes, we’re really not doing badly here!

And a quick disclaimer: in this article, we describe things that are common, but of course, there are always exceptions. Some industries are much more formal than others. So always do your own research to find out what kind of place you’re applying to! 

Want official info? Take a look at the website of the Rijksoverheid (central Dutch government).

Looking for something specific? Here are some quick links!

• Applying for jobs
• Commuting and working hours
• On the work floor
• Dutch directness
• Being VERY busy and working overtime
• Lunch time
• Vrijmibo (Friday afternoon drinks)
• Birthdays and trakteren
• Holidays and other days off
• Calling in sick
• Languages at work
• Bonus tips

Applying for jobs

No job, no work culture – so let’s start at the beginning: applying. In most Dutch companies, the hiring process is a pretty relaxed affair.

Love for LinkedIn

Or more accurately: a love-hate thing. LinkedIn is the platform for professional self-promotion here, too. If you apply somewhere, you can bet they’ll check your profile. So, make sure it’s up to date, and maybe ask a (former) colleague to write you a glowing recommendation. A lot of companies handle the whole process through LinkedIn – no CV needed, just a short motivation. Your profile does the rest.

Your cover letter

Keep it short, clear, and fresh. Skip formal phrases and avoid long, passive sentences. Don’t just repeat your CV – tell them why you’re the right fit. Companies often get dozens of letters for one job. A short, lively one really stands out. And don’t be afraid to add a personal touch – a quirky hobby, odd passion, or wild future dream is totally fine… unless your hobby strays very far from societal norms. 

A letter or CV full of chest-thumping? Not a great idea. Dutch people generally don’t love it when someone talks themselves up too much. Even so-called humblebragging (“I was honoured to contribute to this award-winning project”) tends to fall flat.

It used to be common to call after applying, but nowadays that’s often seen as a bit much – unless you’ve got a real question. Still smart: giving them a quick call if you haven’t received a confirmation after a few working days. And if it’s been two weeks with no response at all? Then it’s totally fine to follow up.

The job interview

If your application goes through a recruitment agency, you’ll probably have a short phone call with a recruiter first. In the Netherlands, it’s completely normal to have your first face-to-face interview with the people you’d actually be working with – unless you’re applying for a management job. At bigger companies, someone from HR usually joins too. If they like you (and think you know what you’re doing), you’ll be invited for a follow-up with your future manager. Two or three interviews is pretty standard for most roles.

Sometimes they’ll ask you to do a skills test or a small assignment. If it goes well, the negotiation about your contract usually happens by phone or email.

Get a job offer on the spot? Don’t feel like you have to say yes right away. It’s totally okay to take your time, think it over, and ask others for advice.

Your interview outfit

Figuring out what to wear can be stressful. But good news: dress codes in the Netherlands are usually pretty relaxed – even in government jobs or at big international companies. You’ll probably only need to dress formally if you’re applying in finance, law, consultancy, or the corporate side of real estate.

Pro tip: check the company’s “About us” page to see what people are wearing in the photos. Still not sure? Then business casual is your safest bet. Just don’t go too formal – you’ll stand out in a weird way.

Personal questions

Dutch employers often care a lot about team fit. So there’s a good chance they’ll ask you some personal questions during your interview – about your hobbies, your living situation, or even what TV series you’re into at the moment. Technically, it’s not allowed to ask about things like kids or religion, but if you bring them up yourself, people might follow up.

Only share what you’re comfortable with – you’re not required to talk about anything that isn’t relevant to the job. That said, sharing a few personal stories that connect to who you are can definitely help your case.

Commuting and working hours

Getting to work

Dutch people love their bikes. Disgusting drizzle that gets you wet in seconds? No problem. Just throw on your rain gear and go. That’s partly because most of us live relatively close to work – the average commute is about 8 kilometres. Distances like that are very doable by bike, especially if you have an e-bike. In fact, nearly one-third of Dutch workers cycle to work regularly. Are you thinking, “I want to bike to work too, once I’m in Eindhoven”? Good news: we happen to have a very detailed guide to Dutch cycling culture ready for you.

Also handy to know: in the Netherlands, it’s common to get a travel allowance per kilometre. On average, it’s about 20 to 23 cents per km. Commuting by train every day? You can usually negotiate a train pass.

Remote work and working hours

Since the pandemic, working from home has become totally normal for office workers. These days, most people are back at the office most of the week, but working from home once or twice a week is rarely a problem. It’s not a legal right, but according to the Flexible Work Act (Wet flexibel werken), your employer does need a solid reason to say no. Tip: make sure your remote work days are included in your contract – otherwise, your employer can change the rules later on.

Working hours are also pretty flexible, especially for office jobs. Most people start between 8:00 and 9:30 and finish somewhere between 16:30 and 18:00. Some employers are stricter, but chances are you’ll have a generous window for starting and ending your day – as long as your work gets done. Just being present to look busy? That’s not really a thing here.

On the work floor

“Work floor” is a broad term – for some people it’s an office, for others a shop or building site. We can’t describe every context in detail here, so we’ll focus on common things you’re likely to encounter anywhere, with a little extra about office culture.

Flat country, flat organizations 

If you’re coming from abroad, you might be surprised by how flat Dutch organizations are. Everyone goes by first names – including the director – and managers often work closely with people at every level. Especially in smaller companies.

It’s not for nothing that the Dutch invented the “polder model”: discussing things with everyone involved to reach a decision together. You’ll see that at work too. Employees are encouraged to speak their minds and have quite a bit of influence. Some companies have official structures for that – like annual employee surveys, works councils, or staff representation. In smaller companies, you can just tell your boss what you think while grabbing coffee. Super informal.

Dutch directness

Dutch directness is notorious among foreigners, but in reality, it’s not that harsh. Most Dutch people are actually pretty conflict-avoidant. The point of being direct isn’t to be rude – it’s to be clear.

This also applies to saying what you want or need. Best explained with cake. If a colleague asks if you want a second piece of cake, and you do, just say yes. In some cultures, you’re expected to decline at first and let the other person insist. In the Netherlands, the cake box will be closed before you get a second chance. Why would you say no if you meant yes?

Openness is important in Dutch culture, so giving feedback comes naturally. Don’t be surprised if colleagues question your ideas or raise concerns. It doesn’t mean they think you’re doing a bad job – it’s just a way of getting to a better result faster.

Social norms and small talk

Every workplace has its own unwritten rules, but there’s plenty of overlap. Dutch people are usually quite social at work. Makes sense, since you spend about one-fifth of your time there if you have a full-time job. So chatting is a big part of the culture. Standing around with a below-average coffee and discussing your kids’ antics or your neighbor’s guinea pig adventures is totally normal.

A national favourite: the weekend. On Mondays and Tuesdays, everyone’s talking about what they did. By Wednesday, it’s all about weekend plans again. Sometimes it feels like a competition to see who had the busiest weekend.

Being VERY busy and working overtime

Dutch people don’t just love busy weekends – they also like to make it clear how packed their workdays are. “Busy” is a very common answer to “How are you?” Not necessarily as a complaint, but more as a sign that they’re important and contributing.

That said, all this busyness doesn’t mean we work long hours. Especially not unpaid. In most sectors, overtime is rare. If you work in hospitality or retail, you get paid for every hour – overtime included. And if you work in (semi-)public service, you can usually take your extra hours off later.

Punctuality and calendars

Many Dutch people are completely dependent on their calendar – for work and personal life. Want to grab lunch or coffee on the fly? Good luck. You’ll probably get an Outlook invite instead. It’s a very Dutch way of staying organised and making sure your calendar stays nice and full (see also: being busy).

One more thing: meetings usually start on time. Being five minutes late is okay – especially if you’re just coming from another meeting (everyone’s still talking about the weekend anyway). But if you’re going to be later than that, let the organiser know.

Lunch, a.k.a. cheese sandwich time

In some countries, lunch is a big deal – especially the further south in Europe you go. In the Netherlands, lunch usually takes about half an hour. At many companies you can take a bit longer if you also work a bit later.

From big canteens to tiny kitchens

Big companies often have a cafeteria where you can grab lunch for a reasonable price. At smaller companies, it varies. Sometimes the company stocks groceries and lunch is free. Sometimes everyone just brings their own. Usually, there’s a small kitchen with plates and cutlery. A toastie maker is basically standard, but don’t expect a microwave – most Dutch people eat cold lunches. Working in hospitality or a supermarket? You’ll probably get to eat something from the company stock for free.

Boring lunches

The Dutch are world champions of uninspired lunches. There’s always someone with a lunchbox full of sandwiches – usually with cheese, cold cuts or hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles). Or peanut butter, if you’re unlucky.

Weirdly enough, people might comment if you bring something more exciting that smells good. Don’t let it bother you – they’re just jealous. Whatever you’re eating, one thing’s for sure: everyone will wish you “eet smakelijk” (enjoy your meal) right when you take your first bite.

Speaking of which: talking with your mouth full is technically rude, just like loud chewing. But in reality, people chat away with full mouths. Got to make the most of that 30-minute break. Want to come across as polite? Just make sure you’ve chewed a bit before you speak.

The lunchtime walk

It’s super common to take a short walk after lunch. Whether you’re on a grim industrial estate or in the city centre, you’ll spot groups of colleagues getting some fresh air.

Vrijmibo (Friday afternoon drinks)

Is it really the weekend if you didn’t have a vrijmibo? (Short for vrijdagmiddagborrel, or Friday afternoon drinks.) For many Dutch workers, it’s the perfect time to socialise with colleagues, catch up on gossip, and discuss weekend plans.

The vrijmibo comes in many forms. Some offices have a special beer fridge that gets cracked open somewhere between 16:00 and 17:00. If you work near nice bars, your office might have a regular hangout. Lucky you – because that usually means deep-fried snacks like bitterballen are involved. Eat enough of those, and you’ve got yourself a solid Friday dinner.

Not big on drinking? No worries. It’s totally fine to just have a (non-alcoholic) drink and hang out. Vrijmibos often start during work hours, so it’s also a nice excuse to slowly call it a day.

To manage expectations: some offices are totally empty by Friday afternoon. But hey, maybe you’ll be the one to start a new vrijmibo tradition with whoever’s still around.

Birthdays, treats and gifts

In many countries, colleagues do something nice for you when it’s your birthday. In the Netherlands, it’s the other way around: you bring something for them. This is called “trakteren”. Sounds like a festive moment to celebrate you, right? Nope. You just put some cake or snacks in a central spot and send a message to your colleagues.

If you’ve got nice coworkers, someone might put up some decorations – usually a string of faded flags that’s been in a cupboard since 1992. If you’re unlucky, it’s the “Hooray, 50 years old!” banner, which gets used for everyone regardless of their age. And you might even get sung Happy Birthday to. Just ride it out. Usually, only one person genuinely enjoys the singing – the rest are suffering just as much as you. Oh, and brace yourself for the three birthday kisses on the cheek. Those happen at New Year’s too.

In many workplaces, people organize something for special occasions – a work anniversary, baby, wedding, or farewell. If you’re lucky, there’s a budget for that. If not, someone sends around a Tikkie (payment request). If it’s an open amount, check what others are giving. Usually, it’s somewhere between €2 and €5 – especially in big teams, where you might get 20 of these a year.

Speaking of Tikkies: if a colleague grabs you a coffee or sandwich, it’s probably not a treat – expect a Tikkie afterwards. Even for small amounts. Honestly, it’s best to send one yourself, too – or lunch runs will get pricey real fast.

Holidays and other types of leave

Let’s be honest – Dutch public holidays are a bit sad. We only have 11. So if you’re the type to take time off at every opportunity, you might want to consider working elsewhere. Want to know all about them? Check out our guide to Dutch public holidays.

The upside: statutory vacation days are pretty decent. You’re legally entitled to four times the number of days you work per week. So, if you work 40 hours (5 days), that’s 4 × 5 = 20 vacation days a year. Which means you get 4.5 weeks off. Some companies offer more – great for attracting talent.

Other types of leave

Sometimes you need time off for life, not just for fun. Luckily, there are other types of leave you can use:

Maternity leave
In the Netherlands, you’re entitled to at least 16 weeks of maternity leave. That includes up to 6 weeks before the due date and at least 10 weeks after the birth. You can choose to start your leave 4, 5, or 6 weeks before your due date – whatever you don’t use gets added to the post-birth period. Your maternity leave kicks in the moment your baby is born, even if they arrive earlier or later than expected.

Parental leave
Want to work less in your child’s early years? You can take unpaid or partially paid leave. Since 2022, the first 9 weeks are partly reimbursed by the Dutch social security office (UWV). It’s not much, but it helps if you want to be home more.

Emergency leave
Need to pick up your kid from school? Boiler explodes on a Monday morning? That’s what emergency leave is for. It usually lasts a few hours to a day and is fully paid.

Care leave
Need to look after someone who’s sick – a partner, child or parent? You can apply for short or long-term leave. Whether it’s paid or unpaid depends on your situation (and how flexible your employer is).

Always check your company policy – some are surprisingly generous, others surprisingly creative at dodging obligations. Know your rights.

Calling in sick and being sick the Dutch way

Feeling a bit under the weather? No worries. Dutch law has your back. You’ll still get paid when you’re sick. Legally, you’re entitled to at least 70% of your salary – but many employers give you 100%, especially in the first year. Some companies have a “waiting day”, meaning you don’t get paid for day one.

You can usually call or email to report sick – preferably before the day starts. No doctor’s note needed. In fact, Dutch GPs don’t even issue them. If you’re off for a longer time, you’ll probably get an appointment with the company doctor (bedrijfsarts). They’ll check how you’re doing and help you ease back in if needed.

Sick is sick?

Dutch people can be a bit too chill when it comes to being sick. Some just show up to work with a runny nose or sore throat – usually with tissues and paracetamol in hand. Since COVID, it’s become more common to just work from home if you’re sniffling. Way more considerate. But if you really feel bad? Stay in bed. Please.

Languages at work

If you work at an international company – a tech firm, university, or startup – chances are the main language is English. But during lunch, at the coffee machine, or in WhatsApp groups, people often switch to Dutch. Not to exclude you – it’s just their mother tongue.

Don’t let it throw you off. Most people are happy to translate or help out if you show you want to learn. In fact, they’ll love it if you try – no matter how wonky your sentence is.

Want to join the conversation faster? See if your company or the city offers Dutch lessons. And start with weekend small talk – always a crowd-pleaser.

Bonus tips

In case you need a little help, here are some bonus tips to help you feel more at home! 

Build your own network

Did you move to Eindhoven because your partner got a job here? Then picking up your own career again might feel a bit tricky. Luckily, there are organisations like the Expat Spouses Initiative, which focuses on helping partners of internationals connect, network, and get back into the job market. They offer workshops, career coaching, and support. Highly recommended if you’re looking to restart your professional life in this region.

Homewards

Want to expand your social circle and get to know the city better? Sign up for Homewards! It’s a three-month programme where newcomers and locals (re)discover Eindhoven together. Check here to see when the next round starts.