Work and Travel in Netherlands

VOLUNTEER AND PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN NETHERLANDS FOR TRAVELLERS

Think travel in the Netherlands and you automatically think of windmills, canals, and Amsterdam’s Red Light District. But there’s so much more to backpacking in the Netherlands than that.

There are hundreds of volunteering opportunities in the Netherlands that can help you dig beneath the stereotypes of this small country. Extend your stay through work and travel in the Netherlands.

This travel guide to the Netherlands is going to show you what’s in store for you. All you need to be willing to do is to jump in.

1. Join a Homestay in the Dutch Countryside

Despite its small stature, the Netherlands has a thriving countryside, where many Dutch people live in relative isolation. Look online and you’ll find many of them offering homestay opportunities.

If you want to work and travel in the Netherlands, get out of the major cities. Even if you’re technically only 20 minutes from Amsterdam or Rotterdam, there’s a huge difference.

You may be asked to complete a specific project, such as decorating, or you may be helping out on a large estate.

2. Help with Childcare in the Netherlands

Like many Western countries, people just don’t have the time to do everything. A lot of Dutch families are providing free food and accommodation, and even pay, for volunteers to come in and help with childcare.

Depending on the age of the child, you might be playing with them or educating them. For example, many parents want native English speakers to give their children a head start with learning English.

3. Work in Hostels in Amsterdam and Rotterdam

The Netherlands is a huge backpacking destination. The two main backpacking destinations are Amsterdam and Rotterdam. They’re filled with hostels big and small, with varying degrees of professionalism involved.

Search for opportunities to work in a hostel. It’s an excellent way to work and travel in the Netherlands because the work is easy and you’ll get a free bed (and sometimes food) in return.

The more professional hostels may even provide you with a small salary.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR NETHERLANDS

The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Zone, therefore if you enter the Schengen Zone you can stay in the whole zone for 90 days and then you must leave for 90 days. If you want to work and travel in the Netherlands, the ease of getting the entry visa depends on where you’re from.

European Union (EU) citizens can enter, stay, and work in the Netherlands for an indefinite period, although Brexit may impact this for UK citizens in the future. Citizens of North America, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand can enter the Schengen Zone for 90 days without applying for a visa.

Citizens of South Africa and Russia must apply for a Schengen visa in advance to be entitled to the same entry benefits as those countries detailed in the previous paragraph.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN NETHERLANDS

SPRING WORK

Spring is a time of growth in the Netherlands as many volunteers across the country work to ready the ground for the coming of the famous Dutch tulips. Volunteering positions are available for travellers who want to help out with this special part of Dutch culture.

Just remember that springs in the Netherlands can be wet and cold, so you should be willing to work outside in challenging conditions from time to time.

SUMMER JOBS

The summer is the big tourist season in the Netherlands. It’s the ideal time to start working in hostels. Many of them take on volunteers who want to work and travel in the Netherlands at this time of year on a seasonal basis. If you want a position just for the summer, you’ll find it easy to pick up hostel work.

Another option for the summer is to work in various camps for children and teenagers. If you know how to kick a ball or to help out with various art projects, you’ll be able to get involved with this.

You don’t need to be qualified to take part in summer camps. All you have to do is to be charismatic and to have a desire to craft a great environment for the kids and teens who attend.

AUTUMN

Do you want to teach English in the Netherlands?

Then the chances are you’re not going to find this particularly easy because the majority of the Dutch speak perfect English. However, not a lot of travellers know that there are still volunteering opportunities in the Netherlands. These mainly centre on young children who’re getting introduced to the language for the first time.

Many parents choose to hire private tutors to help their children with their English, so they can get a head start. Qualified teachers can even get work in schools at the start of the school year in autumn.

WINTER

The winter in the Netherlands is wet, grey, and cold. Seasonal work in the Netherlands generally isn’t available in the winter.

If you browse the previous sections you’ll be able to find some positions in the country. But the majority of travellers tend to use winter to either travel to different areas of the country or leave the region altogether.

This is the worst time to try to find volunteering work in the Netherlands.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN NETHERLANDS

There’s a saying in the Netherlands that the reason the Dutch travel so much is because there wouldn’t be enough room in the country if everyone stayed at home.

The Dutch are some of the most well-travelled people in the world, and this is reflected in how they welcome foreigners. It’s also an incredibly diverse country with people working and travelling from all over the world.

Anyone who wants to work or volunteer in the Netherlands will experience no problems. Many volunteers report that they’re treated just like any ordinary Dutch person.

If you want an easy country to integrate yourself into, the Netherlands is the place to be?

Do you want to work and travel in the Netherlands?