Welcome to the Netherlands
One platform
Jobs, careers, schools and living guides connected — no more 20 browser tabs.
In your language
English plus Romanian, Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Polish, Turkish, Spanish and Portuguese.
Official sources
Rules, permits and costs link straight to Dutch government sites.
Six steps to your new life on the water
- 1🧭
Discover
Find out which maritime careers fit you — from welding to offshore wind or data.
Match my skills → - 2🎓
Learn
Check the certificates and Dutch schools that get you job-ready (VCA, STCW, GWO, MBO/HBO).
See careers & training → - 3💼
Apply
Search jobs by country, language and salary and apply with tailored advice for the Dutch market.
Search jobs → - 4📋
Arrive
Register (BRP/BSN), get health insurance, a bank account and DigiD — step by step.
Open the Q&A → - 5🏠
Settle
Find realistic housing near the ports, avoid scams and know your tenant rights.
Housing advice → - 6🤝
Belong
Meet colleagues, hear real stories and discover the companies that will become your team.
Real stories →
What everyone asks first
Yes. EU/EEA and Swiss citizens can work without a permit. You do need to register with your municipality (BRP) if you stay longer than 4 months, and you need a BSN to get paid.
People who made the move
The first weeks were the hardest. Once I had my BSN and a room, the team felt like family.
I didn't know my car skills were worth so much at sea. Now I work on hybrid tugs.
Example stories with illustrative portraits.
Maritime companies →
45 Dutch shipyards, suppliers and service companies.
Living in NL →
Registration, healthcare, taxes and official links.
Women in Maritime →
Careers, role models and networks.
Move into Maritime →
Switch from another industry.