How to find expat jobs in Amsterdam - a guide to finding a job in 2022

The year is coming to an end and it’s time to start thinking about your new year’s resolutions for 2022. If moving to the Netherlands and finding a job is high up on that list, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide we’ll tell you how to find expat jobs in Amsterdam.

What’s the job market in Amsterdam like in 2022?

That said, knowing a bit of Dutch can greatly improve your chances of landing a job and it makes it a lot easier for you to get around with some simple Dutch vocabulary at your disposal.

More and more international companies are establishing their headquarters in the Dutch capital. Many of which are looking for highly-skilled and multilingual talents. Some fields that are offering expat jobs in Amsterdam are: engineering, IT specialists, those working in finance as well as people with experience in sales, marketing and customer service. There are also a number of rapidly growing and thriving job sectors such as agriculture, food, creative industries, (sustainable) energy and life sciences.

Work permits for expat jobs in Amsterdam

One of the first things you need to do when looking for expat jobs in Amsterdam is making sure you have the right papers. Dutch work permits and Dutch residency visas are closely linked and in some cases you will need to find work in Amsterdam before you can even apply for any Dutch Visa or permit. However, conditions apply depending on your nationality:

• Citizens from the European Economic Area (EEA - European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland are free to live and work in Amsterdam.
• Non-EU nationals typically need to apply for a Dutch residence permit or obtain a Dutch work permit before they can start work in the Netherlands.
• Highly-skilled migrants in the Netherlands typically do not need a Dutch work permit but may need to apply for a Dutch visa to enter or live in the Netherlands.
• If you want to move with you family you need to check which rules apply to them. Certain family members moving to join a relative in the Netherlands may not need a Dutch work permit if their relatives can also work freely in the Netherlands.

Recruiting the help of recruitment agencies

Of course you can go out job hunting all by yourself but it’s always nice to get a bit of help. So if you’re looking for expat jobs in Amsterdam it might be a good idea to enlist the help of a recruitment agency. Recruitment agencies, also known as ‘uitzendbureaus’, are incredibly prevalent in the Netherlands. A lot of them are general agencies where you can find all kinds of different jobs. However, some of them are focussed on specific professions or workingfields. It’s important to find a recruitment agency that fits your needs and aligns with your criteria and field of work.

Dutch companies commonly use recruitment agencies to publish their vacancies. By signing up to an agency you will basically have access to a whole database of expat jobs in Amsterdam. Add your criteria and your CV, and get started on your job hunting.

Undutchables is an expat-focused international recruitment agency operating in many cities in the Netherlands. We help highly-qualified non-Dutch speaking professionals get ahead in their career. Check out our vacancies here. Or register so you can start your job hunt right away!