Learning Dutch
Sources checked on · Draft pending human review · Translated from the Spanish original
You can work in English in many sectors, but Dutch opens up better jobs and makes daily life easier.
Steps
- Start before you travel with the basics: greetings, numbers and the vocabulary of your sector.
- Ask your municipality and your local library about courses and conversation groups.
- Ask at work: some employers offer classes.
- Practise every day in real situations, even if people reply in English.
- Set a concrete goal, for example holding a short conversation within three months.
Official sources
Deadlines, amounts and requirements change. Always check them with the source.
Frequently asked questions
Is it compulsory?
For EU citizens there is no general obligation, but some jobs require it.
Can I work with neither English nor Dutch?
There are fewer options and a higher risk of not understanding what you sign. Start with the language.
Do you recommend language schools?
We do not recommend specific companies. Ask about the public offer in your municipality.
Related
Basic rights at work
The minimum employment rights in the Netherlands and where to go if they are not respected.
Your first 30 days in the Netherlands
A step-by-step plan for your first month in the Netherlands: registration, BSN, bank account, health insurance, DigiD and first payslip, with official deadlines.
Transport: getting around
Bicycle, train and local transport in the Netherlands: what is worth knowing when you arrive.
Does your case not fit? Read about personal guidance. This is general information, not legal, employment or tax advice.