Work as a nurse in the Netherlands
Are you a nurse from the EU, dreaming of working in the Netherlands? We make your move possible and stress-free. Our program guides you step-by-step, from learning Dutch to starting your career abroad.
With our all-inclusive 4-month language course, you’ll be fully prepared to work in Dutch healthcare. We teach you Dutch up to B1+ level, the level required for nurse registration (BIG registration). We cover the full cost of the course, and once you finish, we help you find both a house and a job in the Netherlands.
Why join our program?
Fully Paid Language Course
Learn Dutch quickly and effectively to B1+ level in 4 months.
Accommodation Support
We provide free housing during the course and help you find a home in the Netherlands before you start working.
Job Placement Assistance
We secure your job before you even start your language course. You already know where you’ll work and under what conditions!
Comprehensive Support
We will pick you up from the airport, help you register in the municipal, open a Dutch bank account, health insurance, and get your nurse registration.
Extra Perks
- First month’s rent covered & a plane ticket costs paid.
- 2 weekly Dutch lessons after you start working
Salary and benefits
A full-time workweek for a nurse in the Netherlands is 36 hours/week. Depending on your experience and profile, your gross annual salary will range from €45.000 to €60.000. Nurses’ salaries are set according to the CAO (Collective Labour Agreement), which determines pay scales, bonuses, and working conditions for healthcare professionals in the Netherlands.
Bonus for working irregular hours
Paid vacation – 25-30 days annually
8% holiday pay
End of year bonus (13th month)
Pension contributions
Annual salary increase with experience
Opportunities for courses and specialization within the company
Did you know?
In addition to annual salary increases, the CAO (Collective Labour Agreement) increases twice a year based on government decisions.
Employers often cover the cost of further specialization or courses in the Netherlands.
You won’t be alone on this journey. You’ll learn Dutch with other European nurses and work together in the same healthcare institution. Many of these colleagues become lifelong friends.
Dutch healthcare is known for excellent working conditions and high respect for nurses.
How it works: step by step
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Step 1: Recruitment
You will do a first interview with our recruiter who will see if you are a good fit for the program. We will also explain you everything more detailed and give you the date of the next course starting. When you are selected, we will help you with all the preperations.
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Step 2: Dutch language training
You will follow an intensive language course: one month of online classes followed by three months of in-person lessons in the Netherlands. After completing the Academy, you speak Dutch at B1+ level and are ready to come to the Netherlands to begin the onboarding programme and follow the training plan. The course concludes with an exam, which you will need for your nurse registration. After you start working we will continue to help you to improve your Dutch level.
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Step 3: Arrival in the Netherlands
We personally pick you up from the airport and take you to your new hometown, and arrange all aspects of housing. Through OrangeHousing, we provide fully furnished and comfortable accommodation upon arrival. Everything is designed to offer a soft landing and a smooth start. You pay regular rent after you start working.
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Step 4: Administrative support
We assist with all practical matters during the first few days in the Netherlands: registering with the municipality, applying for a BSN (citizen service number), opening a bank account, arranging health insurance, and possibly a mobile phone contract. Our goal is to take as much of the burden off you as possible during this transition phase, when everything is new and slightly different from your home country.
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Step 5: Starting work
During the first months, you take on a role that allows you to settle in gradually. You'll be paid a salary during this stage. A lot comes at you in the first weeks, which is why we provide intensive guidance. Every 2 weeks you will have Dutch lessons, so you can not only practice the language, but also talk about things you might struggle with at work.
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Step 6: BIG registration and ongoing support
We help you with the collection of documents and the application for the BIG registration (nurse registration). This process already starts during the language course to enable quick follow-up once you arrive in the Netherlands.
Your workplace eventually covers all the expenses for you: language training, housing during the language course, coaching and other costs. In return, they ask you for a minimum two-year commitment after you’ve started working there.
Frequently asked questions
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Do I have to pay for the program myself?
No, nurses do not have to pay for the course. The healthcare institution and Orange Professionals will invest in you and covers all costs related to the program, including the language course, housing, and relocation support.
The only condition is that you stay and work in the Netherlands for a minimum period of two years. Of course, the healthcare institution hopes you will stay longer and continue your career with them beyond that. To reward you they will offer you a permanent contract. -
What qualifications do I need?
You need to have a recognized nursing degree from an EU country and hold European nationality in order to work in the Netherlands.
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Do I need to have experience as a nurse?
Previous work experience is not required, unless it is specifically mentioned in the job description.
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Do I know where I’ll work before starting the course?
Yes. You will know exactly where you’ll work before you start the program. Before beginning the language training, you will have two interviews, and often a third one with the healthcare institution where you will be employed.
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What happens if I don’t pass the B1 exam?
If you don’t pass the B1 exam, you can retake it. The goal of the language program is to prepare you thoroughly so you can reach the required level and start your career in the Netherlands with confidence.
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Will I be paid more if I have previous nursing experience?
Yes! We recognize and value your experience. Our salary scales are structured based on your years of professional experience:
- 1–3 years of experience – Entry-level scale
- 3–6 years of experience – Mid-level scale
- More than 6 years of experience – Senior-level scale -
Can I do a specialization in the Netherlands?
Absolutely! After approximately one year of working in the Netherlands, once your Dutch language level is sufficient to follow a full course in Dutch, you will have the opportunity to start a specialization. Many hospitals cover the full cost of the specialization course if nurses commit to staying with them for a longer period.
