Informative Materials – Netherlands

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1 Informative Materials – Netherlands
1.1 Education paths leading to professional caregiving in the Netherlands
1.2 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.3 Information for foreigners who want to become or work as formal caregivers in the Netherlands
1.3.1 Recognition of education obtained in home country; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.4 Employment conditions in the Netherlands; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.5 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to the Netherlands (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.6 Information on earning
1.7 Job offers
1.8 Some statistic data
1.9 Link to relevant websites in country
1.10 Useful materials
1.11 References

Education paths leading to professional caregiving in the Netherlands

If you decide to go to the Netherlands to work as a caregiver, it is important to know a few things.

In Holland, the qualifications for healthcare are according to the NLQF (Netherlands Qualification Framework) and these are equal to the EQF (European Qualification Framework).

For all NLQF levels, a diploma is required.

There are 6 levels, level 5 is reserved for options in the future.

  • Level 1: Caregiver / helper / assistant
  • Level 2: Caregiver / helper
  • Level 3: Caregiver Individual Care
  • Level 4: Nurse
  • Level 6: Nurse with bachelor degree in nursing (BDN)
  • Level 7: Nurse specialist with master degree in nursing (MDN)

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

No official registration of the diploma is required for working at NLQF levels 1 to 3.

Registration is required for working at NLQF levels 4 to 7. For this registration there are 2 things needed:

  • an official certificate of language level Dutch B1
  • an officially recognized diploma

Some diplomas are on a list and are automatically recognized. If the diploma is not on the list, the employer can conduct a practical check.

If you think you have a level EQF 4 or higher you can also ask to the employer for a pre-check.

Information for foreigners who want to become  or work as formal caregivers in the Netherlands

Recognition of education obtained in home country;  Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

Foreigners who want to become professional caregivers in the Netherlands should ask for legal recognition of their titles obtained in the country of origin. For this purpose, you can get useful information through the Dutch national Enic – Naric center: Netherlands – ENIC-NARIC

For the procedure of the recognition of a regulated profession in the Netherlands, you should follow a procedure that you can find on the Government of Netherlands website: Professional recognition to practise a regulated profession in the Netherlands

Employment conditions in the Netherlands; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For general employment conditions information regarding EU citizens in the Netherlands, you can  see the following official page of the European Commission Living and working conditions: Netherlands 

Language requirements: to perform their tasks correctly and cooperate with employers, families, other professionals and, of course, seniors, aspirant foreigner caregivers need to have an adequate command of the Dutch language.

In healthcare, the language is very important for communication with clients and colleagues. That is why an employer will only hire people with a minimum language level of Dutch A2. A minimum language level B1 is required for working in functions at NLQF level 4 and above.

However, not always obliged, in practice for all NLQF levels knowledge of Dutch is required. So, for all working levels, you must start with learning Dutch.

More about learning Dutch

If you have a diploma NLQF 4 or higher you have 2 options:

  • if you have reached Dutch language level A2 you can start to work in Holland at a lower level. After starting you can continue learning Dutch to a B1 level and after reaching this level start working on a higher level/different position.
  • start working after you reached the B1 level Dutch.

In practice, option 1 is the best. It is a good way to learn the medical system in Holland, to learn the culture and improve the Dutch language.

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to the Netherlands (as low-skilled foreigners)

There are no specific trainings for low skilled foreigners who come to the Netherlands.

Information on earning

A Caregiver working in the Netherlands will earn on average around 4,530 euro gross per month, and this can range from the lowest average salary of about 2,400 EUR to the highest average salary of 11,900 EUR.

  • Average Monthly Salary 4,500 EUR
  • Lowest Monthly Salary 2,400 EUR
  • Highest Monthly Salary 11,900 EUR

These are only average salaries for a Caregiver in Holland and include benefits such as housing and transport. It’s also possible for a Caregiver to earn more or less than the average salaries shown above. Salaries will vary a lot based on the experience, location, skills, and gender. More detailed information at the following link: Patient Care Average Salaries in the Netherlands 2023 – The Complete Guide

Job offers

Here the link for a very good website for caregivers  that links to jobs and careers for careers in Holland: Home – Care Casters

Some statistic data

In general, there is a good demand for caregivers in the Netherlands.

Under an assumption of no policy change, the Ageing Report scenario suggests that public expenditure as share of GDP would rise from 3.5% to 6.5% (EU-27: 1.6%-3.1%) by 2070. The impact of a progressive shift from the informal to the formal sector of care in Holland would entail an estimated increase by 104% in the share of GDP devoted to public expenditure on long-term care (128% on average for the EU27).

People in need of care are expected to arrange (and pay for) services that are considered “generally common” and to remain living in their own homes for longer. The care they need is provided by a combination of formal care (Wmo, Youth Act/Jeugdwet, Zvw), informal care by social networks (family, friends, neighbors and other close relatives), general public services, such as meal services or community centres, and services offered by volunteers. Residential care is reserved for those who need 24/7 supervision permanently.

Link to relevant websites in country

Netherlands – ENIC-NARIC

Useful materials

What do I need to arrange if I’m moving to the Netherlands? | Government.nl

References