One of the main sectors in the Netherlands is agriculture which employs many people in the country. Industrial manufacturing, food processing and chemical industries, as well as other industrial types of workplaces, are another big employer in the Netherlands. The overall largest sector is the service sector that is combined with transportation services, baking, engineering, technology-related services and others. All three sectors employ citizens and immigrants and overall the service sector employs more than 70 percent of the total workforce.
The Netherlands’ unemployment level is 3,5 percent in September of 2019 and since the year 2018, it hasn’t been higher than 4,2 percent which is a very good and steady level.
Overall the Netherlands is a very great place to start your carrier or just to live and work in a well-balanced country that appreciates healthy living, sports, work-life balance, free time and goal-oriented business practices.
Working in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is a great location for developing your career in many industries. As a foreigner, if you wish to work in the Netherlands, you must have a residence permit to be able to live and work in the country.
First, you must know the period of your stay to know if you need a residence permit. If the stay is less than 90 days, it is short term visa to look for, but in case of staying longer than 90 days, you must obtain a residence permit according to the official website of the Netherlands.
There are few situations and cases that determine what permit you will need and how it is obtained, like Intra Corporate Transferees, Highly skilled migrant permit, European blue card, Researcher permit, work in paid employment for various jobs, trainee or apprentice permit. For some of these occasions a person cannot apply themselves but it can be done through a company that builds a branch in the Netherlands. Other ways include a person applying by themselves for the residence permit and they have to seek information to the Dutch immigration authorities which is the quickest way to get information on the situation and what kind of procedure will take place to obtain a residence permit.
Work permit acquisition in the Netherlands
To work in the Netherlands as an expat, a person must define how long the stay will be in the country and what type of situation of employment will it be what moved to work in the country as mentioned in the previous paragraph.
In many cases the employer will submit work permit application to Dutch immigration authorities and give information about the person applying, company, salary system and other details. There are some changes in this procedure for seasonal workers, seafarers, students, refugees and others. In this case, seek information from the immigration authorities and employer.
For the highly skilled management worker that applies for the working permit, they must have employment contract for at least 4 months with an organization that is recognized and legally well-formed by the Dutch immigration authorities.
For the self-employed and freelance people, they must apply to Dutch immigration authorities for a residence permit as a self-employed person. This situation grants two years to live in the country, but it can be extended to more.
Overall the procedure is not complicated and requires the person to be actively involved with all the required documents, like passport, photos, health insurance, and other details.
Benefits of working and living in the Netherlands
There are many benefits of living in the Netherlands and working in this market. The country offers many perks for people and the working culture is quite different in the country.
Dutch enjoy their commute with bikes and mostly use cycling to get to work which is a great way to introduce a healthy lifestyle, less traffic in the streets and overall well-being of employees.
In the Netherlands it is very well respected that people have a life outside work and it is not allowed to work over 60 hours a week. Therefore, you can be sure that the managers will understand the time for rest and the well-balanced life and work situation.
The business culture in the Netherlands is very goal-oriented and there is no time for small-talk when in meetings in the Netherlands. There are usually very straight answers for everyone and there is no time for negotiation, just concrete decisions not to waste anyone’s time.
According to Better Life Index the Netherlands has a very high life quality levels which means happier people and better working conditions for employees to live and enjoy life in the Netherlands.