Moving to the Netherlands from Romania can be the start of a new working life, but the most useful preparation happens before you travel. A clear job offer, suitable accommodation and a realistic arrival budget matter more than a promise that everything will be easy. You should know what you are travelling towards and who will help you settle in.
This guide focuses on a work-led move: preparing an application, organising Romanian documents and arranging the first days. The broader guide to moving to the Netherlands brings together the individual registration and arrival procedures.
Establish your right to work before accepting a role
Romanian citizens are EU citizens and generally do not need a Dutch work permit to take employment in the Netherlands. You still need valid identification and must meet the vacancy’s requirements. [S35]
If you live in Romania but hold another nationality, do not assume the same rule applies. A Romanian residence permit is not the same as EU citizenship or unrestricted Dutch employment permission. Explain your actual nationality and status to the employer early. [S30]
Our guide to moving to the Netherlands from Poland covers a related EU-citizen move. Your own documents and circumstances determine the next step; nationality does not guarantee a job.
Prepare for an English conversation about your experience
WorkInHolland recruits English-speaking internationals. You need enough English to communicate about the work, understand relevant instructions and ask for help when something is unclear. Do not assume that a Romanian-speaking colleague will always be present. [S01]
Practise explaining your recent tasks, equipment and availability. Describe licences and experience accurately rather than memorising phrases which suggest skills you do not have.
Read our guide to finding work in the Netherlands before sending applications. Prepare a clear English CV and keep copies of qualifications relevant to the roles you are pursuing. Ask which documents the employer actually needs rather than sending every personal record at the first contact.
Ask what the job package means in practice
Compare duties, location, hours and gross pay. Establish when the first payment is due and whether your initial pay period will be shorter than a normal one. Ask which charges are deducted and which must be paid separately.
For jobs with relocation support, request an explanation of the support attached to that placement. Travel arrangements, reimbursement and accommodation can have different conditions. A service being organised for you does not necessarily mean it is free. [S02]
Distinguish the employment and housing agreements. Base your decision on written terms, not a headline income or a phrase such as “everything included”.
Prepare Romanian records in the right format
For work and registration, gather the specific documents requested by the employer and municipality. Take originals where required and check whether civil-status documents are needed for your circumstances, particularly if your family is moving too.
NetherlandsWorldwide publishes guidance for Romanian documents. Some multilingual civil-status extracts can be accepted without legalisation, while other documents and translations follow different rules. Confirm the requirements for the actual record rather than assuming every Romanian document needs an apostille. [S34]
Resolve discrepancies in names or dates before departure where possible. Keep secure copies separately and carry essential originals with you in case luggage is delayed.
Plan the arrival, not just the journey
Agree the arrival time, meeting place and key collection before purchasing travel. Confirm that your itinerary and the person meeting you use the same local time.
Check the baggage allowance or luggage space against what you actually need. Pack a small first-night bag with essential documents, a charger, basic clothing and any personal necessities. Do not assume checked luggage will be accessible at every stage of the journey.
Leave time between arrival and the first shift. Ask whom to contact if transport is delayed and whether accommodation can still be accessed after the planned time. A written arrival plan is more useful than trying to organise everything while tired at a station or airport.
Know what to expect from the accommodation
Ask about the room, shared facilities, housing charges and the journey to work. If accommodation is outside the city you recognise from the vacancy, establish the actual commute rather than assuming the location is inconvenient or suitable without details.
Our guide to housing and living in Holland explains the questions worth discussing. A room in a shared house is not automatically accommodation for a couple or family. Get explicit agreement before including another person in the move.
Compare jobs with accommodation in the Netherlands with those practical needs in mind. Ask who to contact about keys, maintenance or a housing problem, and keep that information available separately from the workplace supervisor’s details.
Build a budget for the days before payday
Keep accessible funds for food, local travel and any agreed initial costs. A reimbursement paid after you meet particular conditions will not cover expenses on the day you arrive. Ask about timing as well as the amount. [S02]
Budget from your own contract, not a friend’s take-home figure from different arrangements. Keep banking access private and send payroll accurate payment details through the agreed channel.
If the planned start is delayed, contact the responsible person immediately and ask what changes financially. Knowing the next step in advance helps you make decisions calmly rather than relying on an assumption that the first salary will arrive regardless.
Complete the arrival tasks without confusing their purpose
For a stay longer than four months, register as a resident with the municipality; government guidance sets a five-day period after arrival. Shorter stays can involve non-resident registration. A BSN identifies you within Dutch administration and is not itself permission to work. [S04] [S05]
Arrange compulsory Dutch health insurance promptly when the obligation applies. Save registration confirmations, insurance information and employment documents so you can answer later questions without starting again. [S09]
Stay in contact with your job coach during the first weeks. Raise misunderstandings about duties, hours or housing early, so you can settle into a routine you understand.
Frequently asked questions about moving from Romania
Do Romanian citizens need a Dutch work permit?
Generally, no. Romanian citizenship gives access to EU free-movement rights for employment. You still need to meet job requirements and arrange the relevant registration and insurance. Living in Romania without Romanian or another relevant nationality is a different situation. [S35]
Is English enough for a WorkInHolland application?
English communication is required, but the level and any additional language requirements depend on the vacancy. Discuss your ability honestly. Do not assume that Romanian alone is sufficient or that every Dutch employer accepts English for every role. [S01]
Will WorkInHolland pay every moving cost?
Do not assume so. Ask which services are arranged, which costs are paid or reimbursed, and what conditions apply. Housing and travel arrangements should be explained in writing before you commit to the move. [S02]
