| The Netherlands have experienced
sustained growth over the past several years partly
due to its favourable position within Europe and
its flexible labour force. It remains an attractive
country for investment and for foreign nationals
to work.
Before an employer can apply for a Netherlands
work permit for a non-EEA national, it is normally
necessary to show that attempts have been made
to fill the position from the local and EEA labour
markets. These attempts should include advertising
in national newspapers, websites, industry publications,
etc. However, the local employment service, or
Arbeitsamt, will run searches for EU nationals
with the appropriate skills by using the European
Employment Services placement network (EURES).
Usually Dutch employers should also have looked
into training existing employees.
A few years ago the local Dutch labour authorities
recognised certain shortages in some types of
IT and Telecoms skills and work permit applications
could be lodged for relevant IT / Telecoms positions
without showing details of the above detailed
recruitment search. Due to the current IT situation
in Europe, it is not as easy to obtain work permits
for IT professionals but it is still easier to
do so in comparison to other highly-skilled occupations,
and usually does not involve the need to advertise.
Unfortunately, the application process for Netherlands
work permits often means that candidates can not
even visit the Netherlands to attend meetings
while the Netherlands work permit application
is being processed, unless they are non-visa nationals.
One attractive aspect of employing foreign nationals
in the Netherlands is that many will qualify to
receive 35% of their income tax-free. The effect
of this is to make the overall tax burden similar
to that faced in the UK.
After having lived in the Netherlands for three
years on a work permit it is often possible for
an individual to obtain permanent residence. Thereafter
they are free to take up any lawful employment
and no longer require an employer-sponsored work
permit.
|
