Can international students work in Dutch hotels?
Many international students in the Netherlands work alongside their studies to earn extra income, gain work experience, and become familiar with the Dutch job market. Hotels are popular employers thanks to their flexible working hours, international teams, and the widespread use of English.
Whether you can work in a hotel depends on your nationality and residence status.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are from the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland, you can work in the Netherlands without a work permit under the same conditions as Dutch students. You can apply for positions such as housekeeping, food service, front office, banqueting, or a hotel internship. A valid passport or ID card is sufficient.
Students from outside the EU
If you are studying in the Netherlands with a student residence permit and are from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you can usually work, but additional rules apply. In many cases, your employer must apply for a work permit (TWV) on your behalf.
You can usually:
work up to 16 hours per week during the academic year; or
work full-time in June, July, and August.
Always check the latest regulations with the IND or UWV before accepting a job.
Hotel internships
If your hotel internship is an official part of your study programme, a TWV is usually not required. This often makes internships easier to arrange than regular part-time jobs. Internship opportunities include front office, food & beverage, housekeeping, events, HR, and operations.
Read more about the benefits of a hotel internship.
How many hours can you work?
Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland are not subject to a special student working-hours limit. They are covered by the standard Dutch employment regulations.
For non-EU students, the limit is generally 16 hours per week during the academic year or full-time work during the summer months.
Are you 16 or 17 years old? Additional restrictions apply. For example, you are not allowed to work night shifts, overtime, or on-call shifts. This is important to keep in mind when applying for hotel jobs with early, late, or overnight shifts.
Student type | Can you work in a Dutch hotel? | Work permit required? | Main working hours rule |
|---|---|---|---|
EU, EEA or Swiss student | Yes | No | No special student limit; standard Dutch labour laws apply |
Non-EU student with a Dutch student residence permit | Usually yes | Yes, in most cases the employer must apply for a TWV | Maximum of 16 hours per week or full-time in June, July and August |
Non-EU student completing an official study-related internship | Usually yes | A TWV is usually not required | Depends on the internship agreement and study programme |
Student aged 16 or 17 | Sometimes, with additional restrictions | Depends on nationality and residence status | No night shifts, overtime, or on-call work |
Tip: Keep track of the hours you work and save your employment contract, schedules, and payslips, especially if you are a non-EU student.
Suitable hotel jobs for international students
Hotels offer a wide range of jobs that are well suited to international students. Some positions require little or no experience, while others require stronger language skills or greater independence.
Housekeeping attendant
Housekeeping is one of the most accessible hotel jobs. You clean guest rooms, replenish amenities, and make sure rooms are ready for arriving guests. In international hotels, English is often sufficient and previous experience is usually not required.
Breakfast attendant
As a breakfast attendant, you mainly work in the morning. You prepare the breakfast buffet, welcome guests, replenish food and drinks, and help with cleaning up. This role is often easy to combine with classes later in the day.
Food & beverage employee
Food & beverage staff work in the restaurant, bar, room service, or at events. You serve food and drinks and assist guests. English is often enough, although speaking Dutch can be an advantage.
Waiter / waitress
As a waiter or waitress, you take orders, serve food and drinks, and assist guests during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Hospitality skills and good communication are essential.
Banqueting employee
Banqueting staff assist with conferences, meetings, weddings, events, and dinners. You help with set-up, service, and clearing up afterwards. These roles are often flexible, making them ideal for students.
Front office employee
A front office employee works at the reception desk. You assist with check-ins and check-outs, answer guest questions, and process reservations. Dutch is more commonly required because of the direct contact with guests.
Bartender
As a bartender, you prepare drinks, advise guests, keep the bar organised, and process payments. Experience is helpful but not always required. Keep in mind that shifts may finish late.
Night receptionist
A night receptionist works overnight at the front desk. You welcome late arrivals, complete administrative tasks, and help ensure the safety of the hotel. This position is generally less suitable as a first hotel job while studying. Students under the age of 18 are usually not allowed to work night shifts.
Can you work in a hotel without speaking Dutch?
Yes. This is often possible, especially in international hotels and large cities where English is widely spoken.
Jobs where Dutch is often not required include:
houseman;
banqueting staff;
internships in international teams.
For positions such as front office, reservations, and guest relations, Dutch is more often required because of direct contact with local guests.
In short, you can often work in a Dutch hotel without speaking Dutch, especially in international city hotels. If you want to advance your career, learning basic Dutch is a valuable advantage.
Pay supplements and employment conditions
Hotel employees are generally entitled to at least 8% holiday allowance on top of their gross salary, including students and part-time employees. Depending on your employer or collective labour agreement (CAO), you may also receive extra pay for evening, night, weekend, or public holiday shifts.
When applying for a job, ask about employment conditions such as travel reimbursement, meal allowances, employee discounts, pension schemes, on-call rules, and contracted working hours.
Why do students choose hotel jobs?
Hotel jobs are popular because their flexible working hours fit well around a study schedule. In addition, you'll often work in an international environment where English is the main working language.
You'll also develop valuable skills such as customer service, teamwork, communication, working under pressure, and taking responsibility. Hotel experience is a strong addition to your CV, especially if you want to build a career in hospitality, tourism, events, or customer service.
FAQ
Can international students legally work in Dutch hotels?
Yes. Students from the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can work without a work permit. Non-EU students can usually work as well, but their employer will often need to apply for a TWV work permit.
How many hours can non-EU students work?
Usually up to 16 hours per week during the academic year, or full-time in June, July, and August.
Can I work in a hotel without speaking Dutch?
Yes, especially in international hotels and roles such as housekeeping, banqueting, breakfast service, and some food & beverage positions. Dutch is more commonly required for front office and reservations roles.
Can international students do internships in Dutch hotels?
Yes. If the internship is an official part of your study programme, a TWV is usually not required.