Working Rights for Students
EU/EEA students
Many international students need a work permit in order to have a part-time job in the Netherlands. Whether you will need a permit depends on your nationality.
If you are a citizen of the EU/EEA or Switzerland, you do not need a work permit. There is no restriction on the number of hours you are allowed to work. While you are not obliged to register with the Dutch Immigration Service (IND) as an EU student, it is highly advisable to do so, as it will make a number of things easier, such as applying for a telephone subscription or finding a job. Registration is free.
There is no restriction on the number of hours you are allowed to work, but it is easier if you limit the hours to 16 hours per week or full-time during the summer months - June, July and August only. In that case, the application process for a work permit is much easier as the UWV applies simplified rules (see also: citizens of all other countries).
While you are not obliged to apply for verification under EU law (proof of lawful residence) from the IND, it is highly advisable to do so, as it will make a number of things easier, such as applying for a telephone subscription or finding a job.
Non EU/EEA citizens
Citizens of all other countries will need a work permit. Dutch immigration law restricts the number of hours you may work:
International students may do seasonal work full-time (but only in June, July and August).
OR
International Students may work part-time throughout the year (but no more than sixteen hours a week).
You may not do both.
It is up to your employer or the employment agency to apply for your work permit from the UWV. You cannot do this yourself. The application must be accompanied by a copy of your residence permit for study purposes and a statement from your institution confirming that you are enrolled as a student. It will take about five weeks to process the application. Simplified rules are now in place for the work permit application procedure, which means that the UWV no longer performs all the checks stipulated in the Foreign Nationals Employment Act (Wet arbeid vreemdelingen, Wav).
NOTE: Work Placement and Internship students do not require a work permit, and their work is not limited by hours.