WORK IN THE NETHERLANDS · DOCUMENTS AND FORMALITIES
Jobs in the Netherlands for Ukrainians – what documents do you need and where can you find vacancies?
A Ukrainian passport alone does not automatically give you the right to work in the Netherlands. Your nationality, basis of residence, employment authorisation and type of contract all matter. The rules differ for someone under Dutch temporary protection, someone with another Dutch residence permit and someone currently living in Poland. Identify your route first, then plan your start date.
What determines your right to work in the Netherlands?
Being allowed to cross the border is not enough. The right to a short stay and the right to work are separate matters. A residence document issued in Poland is not a Dutch work permit.
You have temporary protection in the Netherlands
If you are covered by Dutch temporary protection, you may work as an employee without a TWV work permit, provided you meet the relevant conditions. You need an employment contract and an IND document confirming your entitlements. Your employer must notify UWV; you may start work once 2 working days have passed after the notification. See UWV guidance for employees and UWV guidance for employers.
You have another nationality or Dutch residence status
If you also hold citizenship of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, check the IND rules for these citizens. If you hold a Dutch residence permit, read its endorsement: it may grant unrestricted or restricted access to employment. Ukrainian citizenship does not remove the need to verify these conditions.
You live in Poland and want to move
Polish PESEL UKR status, a Polish residence card and a Polish work permit do not automatically transfer work rights to the Netherlands. IND currently lists not having already been granted temporary protection in another EU country as a condition of the Dutch route. If you are protected in Poland, ask IND about the possibility and consequences of changing your situation. Do not give up your current status based only on a recruiter’s promise.
If no exemption applies, you may need a TWV or a combined residence and work permit (GVVA). The procedure depends, among other things, on the duration and purpose of your stay and the type of work. See IND guidance on GVVA. Submitting an application does not itself entitle you to start working.
Temporary protection: what should you check in 2026?
According to the IND information cited in this article, temporary protection has been extended until 4 March 2028. This date does not guarantee that every applicant will receive protection. IND assesses nationality, residence history and eligibility conditions.
Do not automatically apply these rules to someone who lived in Ukraine but is not a Ukrainian national. Additional requirements and individual decisions may apply.
Contact Niden to discuss a job offer and the documents required for a particular recruitment. Tell the recruiter where you live and on what basis you reside there. The competent authority—not the recruiter—decides whether to grant a status or permit.
What documents should you prepare before starting work?
If you have Dutch temporary protection, start with the following checklist. It is a starting point, not a universal set of documents for every applicant:
- a valid identity document and an appropriate travel document for your journey;
- municipal registration confirmation and a BSN number for administrative procedures;
- an IND sticker or card confirming residence and access to work;
- an individual extension letter, if required for your document;
- an employment contract stating the employer’s details and working conditions;
- payment details and any professional qualifications or licences required.
What if your IND document shows an earlier expiry date?
Check the type of document and the rules for extending it. IND explains when a sticker or card must be presented together with an individual letter. A translation of a sample letter from a website is not equivalent to personal confirmation. Read IND guidance on extending temporary protection documents.
Why does the type of contract matter?
The exemption under temporary protection concerns paid employment. Do not assume it provides the same right to self-employment, working as a ZZP contractor or providing services under a different contract. These arrangements require a separate check.
If you are employed under a Polish contract and sent to the Netherlands, establish whether this is genuine posting, who your employer is and which obligations apply. A Polish contract, an A1 certificate or a posting notification alone does not prove that all residence and employment requirements have been met. Assess the actual arrangement using the rules for posted third-country workers.
For Dutch agency employment contracts, see our separate guide to phases A, B and C. Your contract governs working conditions, but does not replace authorisation to work.
Where can you find vacancies, and what should you confirm before travelling?
Choose job advertisements that identify the employer, work location, duties and contract terms. Ask whether the vacancy is open to someone with your status, who checks the documents and when you can lawfully start. You can also read our step-by-step guide to finding agency work in the Netherlands.
FAQ – documents required to work in the Netherlands
Is a Ukrainian passport enough?
No. You must establish your legal basis for staying in the Netherlands and your access to the Dutch labour market. Permission to travel is not permission to work.
Can I work in the Netherlands with PESEL UKR?
Polish UKR status alone does not provide that right. Check the appropriate Dutch basis for employment and the consequences of any change in your country of protection.
Does a BSN give me the right to work?
No. It is an identification number. Your right to work must be based on the relevant status or permit.
Do I need a TWV if I have temporary protection?
If you meet the Dutch conditions for paid employment under temporary protection, an exemption applies. You still need the required documents and your employer must notify UWV.
Can both partners use one person’s documents?
No. Each person needs their own entitlement to work. Any rights arising from family relationships must be established separately.
Can I start work immediately after applying to an agency?
No. Applying for a job does not replace legal formalities. Agree on a start date only after document checks and any required notifications.
