Seasonal jobs in the Netherlands: horticulture, harvests, agencies and rights

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What seasonal work is there in the Netherlands?

Dutch seizoenswerk relies on intensive horticulture, among the most productive in the world, on field agriculture and on logistics. Tourism on the coast and the Wadden Islands also recruits for summer, mainly in hotels and campsites.

Unlike in many countries, most foreign seasonal workers are hired by temporary employment agencies, the uitzendbureaus, which often arrange housing and transport too. This makes arrival easier but creates strong dependence on the agency.

Regions and crops

The Westland, between The Hague and Rotterdam, concentrates greenhouses for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and flowers, active almost all year. Limburg and North Brabant produce asparagus and strawberries, while the Bollenstreek and North Holland grow tulip bulbs.

The Betuwe in Gelderland is the country’s main orchard for apples and pears. Zeeland and the islands of Texel and Terschelling recruit for summer tourism. Distribution centres around Venlo and Tilburg hire massively before Christmas.

• Greenhouses: harvesting, leaf-picking, packing vegetables and flowers.
• Field crops: asparagus, strawberries, bulbs, vegetables.
• Orchards: apples and pears, pruning and harvesting.
• Logistics and tourism: warehouses, hotels, campsites, beaches.

When do Dutch seasons run?

Greenhouses offer work all year, so some seasonal workers chain several contracts. Field crops, however, follow a clear calendar from spring to autumn, with the busiest months in early summer.

Amsterdam and the cities

Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Utrecht offer seasonal work in hospitality, events and summer terraces. Housing costs there are very high, however, and jobs rarely include accommodation, which reduces the financial appeal of a short urban season.

Who can work a season in the Netherlands?

The Dutch labour market is open to European citizens but practically closed to third-country nationals for low-skilled seasonal jobs. Employers must first look for workers within the European Economic Area.

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens

They work freely without a permit. They need a citizen service number, the BSN, obtained by registering with the municipality or the non-residents register. Working in the Netherlands also triggers the obligation to take out Dutch health insurance.

Non-EU nationals

A third-country national needs a work permit issued by UWV to the employer after a labour market test. For seasonal farm jobs, this permit is rarely granted, as European labour supply is considered sufficient.

Foreign students holding a Dutch residence permit may work full-time in summer, under conditions, and part-time the rest of the year. Young people from a few partner countries may use a working holiday programme.

The role of temp agencies

Reputable agencies are certified and apply the collective agreement for temporary workers. EURES advisers recommend systematically checking an agency before leaving, especially its certification and the housing conditions it offers.

Pay and working conditions

The Netherlands applies an hourly statutory minimum wage, revised twice a year on 1 January and 1 July, with reduced rates for workers under 21. Horticulture and temporary work collective agreements may provide more.

Seasonal workers hired through an agency usually start under the temporary work collective agreement, with gradually increasing rights the longer they work for the same agency. Ask which phase applies to your contract and how notice works.

Holiday allowance and leave

Every employee is entitled to a holiday allowance of 8 percent of gross pay, often paid at the end of the contract for seasonal workers, plus proportional paid leave. These amounts must appear clearly on every payslip.

Agency-provided housing

When the agency or employer provides housing, a deduction may be made from wages within legal limits, provided the accommodation meets sector quality standards. Check the price, the number of occupants and the condition of the rooms.

Health insurance and transport

Dutch health insurance is often offered by the agency at a collective rate deducted from wages. Transport to greenhouses or fields may be organised by minibus, with or without a deduction. These costs must be stated in the contract from the start.

Steps to find a season in the Netherlands

Careful preparation helps choose a reliable agency and avoid poor housing, the main source of complaints reported by seasonal workers.

1. Choose the sector and period according to the crop calendar.
2. Search vacancies on the EURES portal and contact a EURES adviser in your country.
3. Compare several temp agencies and check their certification and reviews.
4. Ask in writing for hourly pay, hours, housing, insurance and transport.
5. Plan registration to obtain a BSN on arrival.
6. Take out compulsory Dutch health insurance, through the agency or individually.
7. Keep your payslips and a personal record of hours worked.

Mistakes and scams to avoid

Dutch inspections have uncovered abuses linked to combining job, housing and transport from the same agency. These precautions limit the risks for newcomers.

• Paying registration or placement fees to an agency.
• Accepting overcrowded housing that you lose immediately when the job ends.
• Signing a Dutch contract without a translation of the deductions.
• Forgetting to claim the 8 percent holiday allowance at the end of the contract.
• Working without a BSN or health insurance, which can lead to fines.

Benchmarks and documents

The table below summarises the main points to check before leaving. Exact amounts depend on age, the collective agreement applied by the agency and the type of accommodation.

Keep a reserve for the first weeks, because agencies often pay weekly or every four weeks and deduct housing from the first payment. A small budget avoids becoming dependent on advances from the agency.

Language at work

In greenhouses and warehouses, English or the crew’s language, often Polish or Romanian, is usually enough. In tourism and hospitality, Dutch or at least good English remains necessary for any customer contact.

Frequently asked questions

These answers address the questions most often asked by Europeans considering a first season in the Netherlands.

Do I have to go through a temp agency?

It is not compulsory, but it is the most common route for foreign seasonal workers in horticulture and logistics. Some farms hire directly, especially for asparagus and strawberries, rehiring crews from previous years.

Is accommodation included?

Often, when hired through an agency, but it is usually charged and deducted from wages. Check the weekly price, the number of people per room and what happens if the contract ends early.

Can a non-European pick strawberries in the Netherlands?

In practice, very rarely. The employer must obtain a UWV permit and show no European candidates are available, which is almost impossible for picking. Foreign students already holding a Dutch residence permit are an exception, under conditions.

How do I get a BSN?

By registering with the municipality of residence for a stay over four months, or with the non-residents register, the RNI, for a shorter stay. Agencies often help with this step, essential for being paid legally.