Being able to understand Dutch and Dutch customs can be a great help to you. Working and living in the Netherlands will be easier, especially if you are staying in the Netherlands for a long period of time. A good understanding of Dutch means that you have more opportunities for obtaining suitable work for your skill level. It will be easier to communicate with your municipality and your GP, your neighbours and in the supermarket. And it will also help you to communicate with your children’s school.

There are several ways you can learn Dutch. If you come from an EU country, you can take a language course at a Regional Training Centre (ROC). They offer Dutch courses. The course Dutch for beginners is a good place to start learning Dutch for work. Libraries and language centres also often provide opportunities to practise speaking Dutch.

You can also decide to attend a private language school. This is where you can learn Dutch as a second language (Nt2). You can use Taalzoeker to find a language centre in your area. If you prefer to learn Dutch at home, you can visit Oefenen.nl (available in several languages) or NT2taalmenu.nl to find out how you can learn Dutch. These online lessons are free.

If it is necessary for you to have a proficiency certificate in Dutch for your work, you will need to have a good command of Dutch. You will then be able to take an exam. In the Netherlands, you can take an exam that is nationally recognised by the government. Theses exams are available at A2, B1 and B2 language proficiency levels. Please go to Nt2.nl or inburgeren.nl for more information regarding these state examinations. Both of these websites are available in Dutch and English.

Yes, sometimes your municipality will be able to help you, for instance, by putting you in touch with a voluntary language coach. These coaches are referred to as ‘taalmaatjes’ or language buddies. Many municipalities run projects with language buddies. Please visit Hetbegintmettaal.nl or Taalzoeker.nl to find out how your municipality may be able to help you learn Dutch. 

In the Netherlands, you can take many different courses, for example, maths or ICT skills. These courses are often offered by language centres, local libraries or welfare organisations.

Employers are not obliged to pay for Dutch courses, although it is also in your employer’s best interest for you to speak and understand Dutch properly. It means that you will have a better understanding of the applicable rules at work, such as health and safety regulations.

If you speak Dutch, it will be easier for you to take other courses. Ask your employer if you can take a language course. Your employer can get financial support for this.

If you come from a country in the European Union, for example, Poland, Romania or Bulgaria, you are exempt from the integration obligation. You can, however, choose to take exams or attend classes in the Netherlands. One reason for doing this is so that you can naturalise. This means that you will obtain Dutch nationality. If you have legally resided in the Netherlands for 5 years, you can apply for Dutch citizenship. Please visit Inburgeren.nl (in Dutch and English) to find out how to do this.

Integration is not compulsory if you come to the Netherlands from an EU country. It is compulsory for family migrants from outside the EU and for asylum migrants (refugees). Integration means that you have to learn Dutch. You will also gain knowledge of Dutch society and the labour market. This means that you will be able to participate in Dutch society.

It is good to continue to develop your skills, even outside your workplace. Please discuss this with your employer, as you can explore the various available options. It may be possible to receive training at work or you might be able to take a course outside work.

In the Netherlands there are many options for learning whilst still working. Often you can indicate whether you wish to follow a course or obtain a certificate for your specific job. Please visit the Dutch government’s website for an overview of your options.

If you have a question about learning and working, please visit Leerwerkloket for more information. This organisation can help you and your employer with any questions about retraining, workplace training and learning-working pathways. A Leerwerkloket is an independent partnership between municipalities, the Central Netherlands Regional Education and Training Centres (Regionaal opleidingencentrum, ROC) and the Netherlands Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). The UWV is the benefits organisation in the Netherlands. There are 35 Leerwerkloketten in the Netherlands, spread across the country. This means that there is a good chance that there is a Leerwerkloket in your municipality.