Working in Zeeland

Pursuing a career in Zeeland offers a fantastic work-life balance: sea views, nature at your doorstep and historical cities full of entertainment and leisure activities. And with a huge demand for professionals in technology, healthcare, education and ICT, the province also has plenty of fantastic career opportunities. Leading businesses such as Dow, Ørsted and Damen regularly recruit international talent.

Zeelanders are natural pioneers. The province gives you the space to grow, innovate and make a real difference. Whether you’re looking for a new role or want to set up your dream business, you can make it in Zeeland.

The province’s international businesses regularly recruit professionals for English-speaking roles. But be aware that lots of day-to-day chat will be in Dutch. Learning Dutch will increase your chances on the job market and help you to feel at home.

Zeeland has a dynamic economy focused on three of its natural strengths: food, energy and water. Our businesses develop pioneering sustainable energy solutions, from wind and solar farms to innovative hydrogen projects. Zeeland’s food sector builds on centuries-old traditions, specialising in high-quality production, fishing and circular farming. Our landscape – our ‘land in the sea’ – is blessed with fertile soils. Not to mention water, the essence of who we are. It’s no surprise that Zeeland’s businesses, the tamers of the elements, are producing global solutions for water management, delta technology and climate adaptation. Our strategic location between Rotterdam, Breda, Antwerp and Ghent has made us a logistics and maritime hotspot.

Zeeland is also a fundamentally sustainable province. We’re committed to sustainable fish farming and producing next-generation, sustainability-driven delta technology. Our innovative solutions are the key to a sustainable future.

If you’d like to explore career opportunities in Zeeland, visit De Zeeuwse Vacaturebank or Aan de slag in Zeeland. Your next role may be just one click away!

Be sure to check out Talent Services Zeeland, too! They can help you to find the right role and accommodation for you and your partner.

Various organisations can support your relocation to Zeeland. One of them is the Zeeland International Center, which provides support with housing, work permits and settling into Dutch and Zeeland culture. They also provide information about work-related insurance. The website Work in NL and its  Relocation App provide more information about working in the Netherlands. 

One-stop-shop

Good news if you’re a knowledge worker from outside the EU! Rather than visiting countless agencies, you can now take care of all your official paperwork at one place in Goes: the one-stop shop. Whether you’re registering in the Personal Records Database (BRP) or applying for a residence or work permit, you’ll settle in much more quickly and easily!

Spousal support

Partners of internationals can often struggle to find work in the Netherlands. The way you apply here for job is often not the same as in other countries. The way you apply here for job is often not the same as in other countries. The Spousal Support programme is here to support you. They can help you to write your CV, find job postings and give you tips for interviews to improve your chances of finding the right role.

Work permit and qualifications

Whether you need a work permit to work in the Netherlands depends on your nationality. If you’re from an EU or EER country, you don’t need a permit to work in the Netherlands. If you’re from a third country, you’ll usually need a residence and work permit. You can find more information at ind.nl.

Employers will look at your experience and reasons for applying. Roles in manufacturing and production, catering and hospitality and logistics often don’t require a Dutch qualification, but you can have your qualifications evaluated at idw.nl.