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Status update: The international talent landscape in the Netherlands
The Netherlands continues to attract international students and professionals, but the latest figures show that the international talent landscape is changing. Student numbers are stabilizing rather than increasing, more graduates are exploring opportunities to remain in the country, and employers still need specialized international expertise.
Here are four developments that stand out, and why they are relevant for you:
1. International student numbers are stabilizing
The 2025–2026 academic year marks the first time in two decades that the enrollment of international students in Dutch universities did not increase. While international degree students still accounted for a large percentage of the total student population, this lack of new enrollments is an interesting development to keep an eye on.
The decline was most visible in bachelor’s programs at research universities, while international enrollment in master’s programs continued to grow.
At the same time, not every subject area is following the same trend. In contrast to the general numbers, international enrollment in engineering at research universities actually increased, reflecting the growing importance of technical knowledge to the Dutch and global economy.
Why is this relevant?
International students remain an important source of future talent in the Dutch job market. As we see in the figures, this is particularly true in technical and specialized fields. The smaller flow of new international students in many degree programs could mean more competition for certain types of graduate talent in the future. It is therefore worth building relationships with universities, improving your HR policies and possibilities for hiring international employees, and making vacancies accessible to international candidates before they graduate to make sure that your company continues to attract top talent.
Explore further figures and trends in the full Nuffic research report and interactive dashboard on incoming degree mobility.
2. More international graduates are using the orientation year
The orientation year permit allows eligible graduates from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to spend a year looking for work in the Netherlands after completing their degree or research. In 2025, the amount of graduates that held an orientation year permit increased by 11% compared with 2024.
This figure does not tell us how many permit holders eventually found work or remained in the Netherlands long-term. However, it does show that a growing number of international students are interested in staying in the Netherlands after graduation and using the opportunity this permit offers to explore the Dutch labor market and get their career started here.
Why is this relevant?
For international graduates, the orientation year can provide valuable time to find a suitable role and become familiar with the Dutch recruitment process. Employers do not need to sponsor a work permit to hire someone during their orientation year, so this also presents a great opportunity for employers to access this international talent pool even if visa sponsorship is not immediately possible. A reduced salary threshold also applies if the employee chooses to continue the contract and sponsor a highly skilled migrant permit.
Curious about the orientation year permit statistics per country? The Nuffic orientation year dashboard allows readers to explore the figures or find more data about employers’ perspectives on hiring international graduates here.
3. International professionals are becoming an integral part of local communities
International professionals are not always here for just a short stay. In fact the opposite is becoming true. According to regional studies in Leiden, we see that 70% of knowledge migrants stay living in the region for more than five years, and a total of 93% stay longer than one year.
This reflects a wider trend seen across the Netherlands. International employees are settling in and becoming part of local economies and communities. The assumption that an international employee is here to stay for the short-term only applies to a very small group. For a much larger percentage of international talent the trend shows a long-term orientation and goal to live, work, and establish their families in the Netherlands.
Why is this relevant?
Organizations need and benefit from diverse hiring and the knowledge and skills that international employees bring to the table. Recruitment within this group is not just about filling a vacancy though and should not end when the employment contract is signed. Housing, family needs, language learning and opportunities to build social connections can all influence whether someone feels able to establish a future and stay long-term at an organization and in the Netherlands.
Would you like to know more about regional figures? Explore Decisio’s reports on international employees and organizations.
4. Well-being and belonging deserve more attention
Nuffic’s recent review of student well-being found that international students and students with a refugee background generally report poorer mental health than Dutch students.
The challenges identified include language barriers, difficulty forming social connections, unfamiliar educational expectations, housing problems, financial pressure and difficulties accessing appropriate support.
Why is this relevant?
Feeling connected, included and supported is important to both well-being and academic or career success. The challenges listed above do not necessarily disappear as soon as someone finds a job.
Careful onboarding and inclusive communication can make the transition into the Dutch workplace easier. Clear expectations, opportunities to connect with colleagues and realistic support with language development can help international employees feel more confident and included.
Interested in learning more about how to improve the well-being of international students (and employees)? Read more details in the full Nuffic study or find practical tips for working with global talent here.
International talent remains important - support matters
Individuals from around the world who bring their skills, knowledge, experience, and diverse perspectives are important to keep the Dutch economy growing and to help companies remain competitive in the global market.
With recent developments, we see that the flow of these students, and potential employees, is slowing down in many areas. Luckily, we also see that more graduates are using the orientation year and many international professionals are settling down for the long-term and establishing their lives and families in the local communities across the Netherlands.
The bottom line: attracting international talent is essential for business growth but is only the beginning. Long-term success goes beyond schooling or job contracts. Organizations that offer clear career opportunities, inclusive onboarding, and support with integration and well-being will be better positioned to retain the people they recruit.
If you are interested in diving further into the statistics please check out the full reports and interactive dashboards from Nuffic and Decisio for more in-depth information and helpful filters. For more tips or information about working with international talent please reach out to our team and we will be happy to assist you.