There is plenty of work for someone who wants to work. However not being able to speak the Dutch language will limit your options. With just English, you can also get good jobs. Even if you don’t have much formal schooling, your experience can land you a good job. This is an article about high-paying jobs in the Netherlands without a degree.
Reasons To Work in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is fast becoming a popular destination for international businesses and expats, thanks partly to its growing renewable market. That together with a strong economy and one of the highest rates of quality of life in the world, it’s no surprise that many internationals are expressing interest in this tiny country. Not convinced yet? Here are 4 reasons to work in the Netherlands.
1. Job Opportunities
The Netherlands may be small, but it’s full of fresh job opportunities. The country is home to a wide range of international and multinational companies. With many international talents moving to the country, the Netherlands has become an interesting multicultural hub where English is one of the most spoken languages besides Dutch.
There are several growing job sectors in the Netherlands. These include agriculture and food, energy, IT, health and life sciences, logistics and creative industries. So no matter which sector you specialize in, there will always be a job for you.
As a highly trained expat, finding jobs in the Netherlands isn’t hard to do. Especially if you have the right qualifications a lot of Dutch companies are looking for. If you have just left university or you’re a highly-skilled migrant, you will be able to find a job.
2. The Work-life Balance
We cannot talk about all the different reasons to work in the Netherlands and not mention the all-important work-life balance! The Netherlands can consistently be found on lists of the ten best countries to live in for a good work-life balance.
Dutch employers, for the most part, understand that there can be many sides to life, not just work. It may even be frowned upon if it’s expected of you to work overtime without sufficient payment. You can only work a legal maximum of 60 hours a week, although it’s much more common to do 36 to 40 instead. Normally workdays are no longer than 8 hours.
Working in the Netherlands truly gives you the chance to embrace the saying: ‘work hard, play hard’. At the end of a work day, you will have time to run, go to the gym, spend time with your family or meet up with friends. Hey, it’s your free time! You can even be a couch potato if you wish to catch up on a little me time.
3. High Standard of Living
The Netherlands is not just famous for its relaxed approach to work. The Dutch also enjoy a high quality of life! The OECD reports that Dutchies enjoy a significantly better level of satisfaction in life than the global average, with above-average career and earnings opportunities, housing, education, health, and environmental standards.
The majority (82%) of people in the Netherlands even report having more positive experiences on an average day than negative ones. So it’s not surprising that the Netherlands has been ranked as the world’s fifth happiest country according to the United Nations Happiness Report, and is ranked amongst the happiest countries in Europe according to Eurostat.
4. The Ever-Growing industry
The Dutch economy is one of the most stable in the European Union. This along with an appealing taxation system and location in the centre of Europe, has made the Netherlands extremely appealing to international companies. Internationally renowned local businesses such as Unilever have their headquarters in the country, which in turn has attracted a lot of international talent. Add the other headquarters from companies from all over the world to this list and you have a multicultural business hub.
And it’s only continuing to expand as more companies move here, creating a demand for skilled workers in sectors such as renewable energy, healthcare, IT, and especially engineering. For people looking to work in a rapidly growing marketplace, the Netherlands is the place to be.
Minimum Wage In The Netherlands
From 1 January 2024, the minimum wage is fixed per hour. The statutory minimum wage is the amount payable per hour before tax. Statutory means required by law. Everyone aged 15 and over must be paid at least the applicable hourly minimum wage. How much you earn per week or month depends on your official number of working hours. If you and your employer have agreed on a fixed number of working hours per week, you can agree on a fixed monthly salary. As of 2024, there is no longer a monthly, weekly or daily minimum wage.
Pros of Moving to the Netherlands
Great Work-life Balance
The Netherlands is known for promoting a healthy work-life balance. Research shows only around 0.3% of employees work long hours, much lower than the international average of 10%. The same study showed that full-time workers in the Netherlands dedicate over 60% of their day to personal care and leisure time.
Typically, Dutch people keep clear boundaries between their work and personal life, working hard during their contracted hours and then switching off from work when the working day is over.
Inclusive and Welcoming culture
In general, the Dutch are welcoming to foreigners and make an effort to engage newcomers in the community. They are known for their egalitarianism and are a fairly liberal society.
Expats moving to the Netherlands will have plenty of opportunities to meet people in the Netherlands. It is a place known for having a vibrant social life, including a summer café culture as well as festivals and cultural events throughout the year.
Many People Speak English
The Dutch have the best English proficiency for non-native speakers in the world, so English-speaking expats should be able to get along fine while they pick up the language. Many service providers, like mobile phone companies and banks, can also offer their services in English, which can be a huge help when you’re first settling in and setting up.
The downside to this is that there isn’t an urgency to learn the language. However, as with moving to any country, it is always beneficial to learn as much of the language as you can. The locals will appreciate it and it means you’ll be covered if you find yourself in a situation where English isn’t spoken.
High-Quality Education
The Netherlands has a high standard of education in both public and private schools. Over 80% of adults in the Netherlands have completed secondary school and around a third have a university degree, which are both higher than the international average.
The Dutch curriculum is designed to support students in planning for the future and achieving their career goals. Some schools also offer additional support to children joining from abroad, such as providing immersion classes. These are smaller classes ran by specialist teachers designed to help children pick up the language while they learn the curriculum.
Easy To Get Around
The Netherlands is a relatively small country, so it’s easy to get around. The Dutch have a great public transport system, which includes trains, trams, buses, and metros.
There is also a huge cycling culture and many locals will travel around their local area by bicycle. There is often a good cycling network around towns and cities, with separate cycle lanes.
Cons of Moving to the Netherlands
Expensive Healthcare
Healthcare in the Netherlands is usually of good quality and efficient. However, everyone living in the Netherlands must take out health insurance to cover the costs of basic care like seeing a GP or prescription medication. Everyone has to pay for their medical care up to a fixed cost, and the fees can be expensive.
Health insurance in the Netherlands is costly and might not include everything that expats are used to. For example, local anesthetic often costs extra. The alternative is to take out comprehensive international health insurance. Private healthcare from Expatriate Group will ensure you and your family are fully covered while you’re in the Netherlands.
High Taxes
In general, the Netherlands has a high tax rate, with high social security and income tax. There is a tax incentive for some foreign workers that allows them to earn 30% tax-free income – however, this will only apply to those in specific roles or who have specific skills.
For others, an individual worker will pay 36.1% tax and a couple with two children will pay 29.1% tax.
Shortage of Housing
Finding accommodation in the Netherlands can be tricky. The country is experiencing a housing crisis, with a shortage of accommodation available for either locals or expats.
Both renting and buying property will be costly. Some apartments are offered as a “shell” and come with lower rent, but tenants will need to buy everything to furnish the home, including carpets and appliances.
High Cost of Living
The Netherlands has a high cost of living, which includes everything from accommodation to groceries, and services. On average, the cost of living in the Netherlands is 10.7% higher than in the UK.
Owning a car is particularly expensive, with high road tax and expensive repair costs. Whilst the public transport system is efficient, ticket prices are also costly.
Different Social Customs
The Dutch have slightly different social customs and rules that can take some getting used to for expats. For example, Dutch locals can be quite direct, which is often misunderstood as rudeness.
It’s expected that people are punctual at meetings and if someone is running late, they will need to let the necessary people know, even if they are only five minutes behind. It’s very uncommon for people to visit other people’s houses unannounced.
High-Paying Jobs Without A Degree In The Netherlands
1. Inside Sales Representative
What is an inside sales representative?
An inside sales representative is an employee who sells products or services to businesses or individuals but does not go out in the field. They sell products or services remotely and support other employees in the sales department.
What are the responsibilities of an inside sales representative?
- Conducting sales conversations via phone or email.
- Assisting customers with questions and resolving issues to their satisfaction.
- Preparing quotes for new orders and information requests.
- Providing advice to customers regarding orders and products.
- Supporting the sales department with other tasks, such as organizing marketing campaigns or maintaining customer data.
What does an inside sales representative earn?
The salary of an inside sales representative can reach up to €4,000 gross per month. This makes it one of the highest-paying jobs without a diploma. If you don’t have a diploma and want to earn a good income, feel free to explore our jobs without a diploma as an inside sales representative!
2. Truck Driver
What is a truck driver?
A truck driver is an employee responsible for transporting goods from one location to another. These goods can include products, large machinery, livestock, or chemicals. Truck drivers are accountable for delivering the cargo safely and on time.
What are the responsibilities of a truck driver?
- Operating a truck.
- Loading and unloading cargo.
- Following routes and instructions.
- Complying with relevant laws and regulations.
- Maintaining the truck.
What does a truck driver earn?
The salary of a truck driver can reach up to €3,800 gross per month. This makes it one of the best-paying jobs without a diploma. If you don’t have a diploma and want to earn a good income, feel free to explore our jobs without a diploma as a truck driver!
3. Production Worker
What is a production worker?
A production worker is an employee who manufactures products in a factory or production environment. They are responsible for various tasks, such as operating machinery, assembling components, inspecting product quality, and packaging products.
What are the responsibilities of a production worker?
- Operating machinery.
- Assembling components.
- Inspecting product quality.
- Packaging products.
- Cleaning the workspace.
- Performing other tasks as requested by the supervisor.
What does a production worker earn?
The salary of a production worker can reach up to €3,400 gross per month. This makes it one of the best-paying jobs without a diploma. If you don’t have a diploma and want to earn a good income, feel free to explore our jobs without a diploma as a production worker!
4. Warehouse Worker
What is a warehouse worker?
A warehouse worker is an employee responsible for receiving, storing, and shipping goods in a warehouse. They play a crucial role in logistics, ensuring that goods reach customers on time and in good condition.
What are the responsibilities of a warehouse worker?
- Receiving goods from suppliers.
- Inspecting the quality of goods.
- Storing goods in the warehouse.
- Locating goods as requested by customers.
- Shipping goods to customers.
- Cleaning and maintaining the warehouse.
What does a warehouse worker earn?
The salary of a warehouse worker can reach up to €3,400 gross per month. This makes it one of the best-paying jobs without a diploma. If you don’t have a diploma and want to earn a good income, feel free to explore our jobs without a diploma as a warehouse worker!
5. Machine Operator
What is a machine operator?
A machine operator is an employee who operates and maintains machinery and mechanical equipment. Machine operators are responsible for safely and efficiently operating machines, performing maintenance and repairs, and programming machines.
What are the responsibilities of a machine operator?
- Operating machines.
- Performing maintenance and repairs.
- Programming machines.
- Reading technical drawings.
- Using measuring equipment.
- Following safety regulations.
What does a machine operator earn?
The salary of a machine operator can reach up to €3,400 gross per month. This makes it one of the best-paying jobs without a diploma. If you don’t have a diploma and want to earn a good income, feel free to explore our jobs without a diploma as a machine operator!
