Picturesque cities and a high quality of life are just some of the reasons travellers and expats head to the Netherlands. Factors like its colonial past, history of international trade, and widespread habit of subtitling (rather than dubbing) media make the Netherlands one of the best for English proficiency in the world for non-English speaking countries.

Read on for The TEFL Org's guide on teaching English in The Netherlands, from the kinds of jobs available, to salaries, visa requirements, and more.

Key Takeaways

• English is compulsory at Dutch schools, so the demand for English teachers isn't high, but TEFL jobs still exist for qualified teachers.
• Teachers generally need a TEFL certificate, bachelor's or master's degree, and/or a teaching license.
• Salaries range from around €2,000–€3,500 ($2,320–$4,060 / £1,725–£3,025) at public and private schools.
• Top locations include Amsterdam and Rotterdam, where most of the private school jobs exist.
• EU citizens don't need a visa, but non-EU teachers need the work visa and residence permit.

Requirements for Teaching English in the Netherlands

The requirements for teaching English in the Netherlands are generally very high, but vary from one school to another. The requirements aren't only confined to your teaching ability — having an EU passport or Dutch proficiency will boost your job search significantly.

Here's everything that you need to know about the teaching requirements.

Do I need a TEFL certification to teach in the Netherlands?

Yes, you need a TEFL certificate at minimum to teach English in the Netherlands. The Netherlands has the highest English proficiency rate for non-English speaking countries, so you'll need to come prepared to compete with not only international but local teachers too.

Can I teach English without a degree in the Netherlands?

No, you can't teach English without a degree in the Netherlands. Not only is a bachelor's degree a listed requirement, you may also need a master's degree in education or English (or another teaching subject) and teaching license to work at public or international schools.

Read more about teaching English abroad without a degree.

Do I need teaching experience to teach in the Netherlands?

You don't need teaching experience to teach in the Netherlands, but it's preferred by many employers. Again, the standard of education is very high in the Netherlands, and if you don't have any experience, you're more likely to find a job teaching English at a private language school or summer camp.

You can also gain experience by applying to work as a part-time language assistant. If you're an EU citizen, this is much easier to do, as many part-time jobs require legal working status.

Read more about teaching English abroad without experience.

What are the visa requirements for teaching in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands is a member of the European Union, so EU passport holders don't need a work visa to teach English. Non-native speakers carrying EU passports can also teach in the Netherlands if they have proof of English proficiency.

Non-EU teachers, like those from the US or UK, will need a work visa and residence permit to teach in the Netherlands. But first, you'll need to secure a job.

Once you've secured a job in the Netherlands, your employer will sponsor your work visa and residence permit. Depending on your teaching qualifications and the job you're applying for, you likely get the Highly Skilled Migrant Permit.

To qualify for the work and residency permit, you'll need the following:

• Valid passport
• Proof of employment with a Dutch employer recognised by the IND
• Legalized degree and teaching credentials, and possibly recognition of your foreign qualifications
• Proof of qualifications, and credential evaluation by the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO)
• Health insurance

If you're from the US, find out how you can teach English in Europe as an American.

Important: The information above is not intended as legal advice. For teaching abroad visas, visit the official government or immigration website for the latest rules.

Salary and Cost of Living

Salaries are high in the Netherlands, but so are living costs. Here's everything you need to know about teacher earnings (and spending) in the Netherlands.

How much can you earn teaching English in the Netherlands?

The average salary for an English teacher in the Netherlands varies depending on experience and the type of school, but teachers can expect around €2,000–€3,500 ($2,320–$4,060 / £1,725–£3,025) per month.

Here's how average salaries compare across different teaching jobs in the Netherlands:

• Public schools: Salaries at public schools are determined by pay scales ranging from LB, LC, LD — with LD being the highest. Teaching salaries typically range from €2,500–€4,500 ($2,900–$5,220 / £2,160–£3,885) per month, but they're typically reserved for Dutch teachers or speakers. Teachers also receive benefits like 7–10 weeks of holiday.
• Private language schools: The salary for language schools vary significantly, from €1,200–€3,200 ($1,390–$3,715 / £1,035–£2,760) depending on the teacher's school, expertise, and contract. Freelance teachers will typically earn less than contracted teachers, and those with previous teaching experience and qualifications (like teaching business English) will have higher earning potential.
• International schools: Teachers can earn around €2,500–€4,500 ($2,900–$5,220 / £2,160–£3,885) teaching at international schools depending on the institution. Experience teaching specific subjects (like maths or science) and specific curricula will also benefit your application.
• Universities: University teaching salaries can range from €3,000–€8,500 ($3,490–$5,220 / £2,160–£3,885) depending on experience.

How much does it cost to live in the Netherlands?

The Netherlands has a high cost of living, and the monthly living cost averages at around ~€1,000 ($1,160 / £865) excluding rent. Rent for a 1-bed apartment ranges from around €1,000–€1,500 ($1,160–$1,740 / £865–£1,295). However, you can pay significantly less than the average monthly expenditure if you adopt mindful spending habits.

Here are our budgeting tips for teachers in the Netherlands.

• Be open minded: Don't dismiss teaching in smaller cities, as saving potential also depends on the cost of living. Not only can rent prices in Amsterdam be ~100% higher in cities like Groningen or Heerelen, but smaller cities may have a less competitive teaching market.
• Share housing: Many expats in the Netherlands share housing to meet people and cut costs. While a 1-bed apartment costs around ~€2,000 ($2,320 / £1,725) per month in Amsterdam, a 3-bed costs around €1,000 ($1,160 / £865) per person, per month.
• Live outside city centers: On average, you could save around ~€300 less per month living outside the city center.
• Shop at budget-friendly supermarkets: If you're cooking at home, stick to budget-friendly supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl. Take advantage of loyalty cards — discounts and rewards may seem small at first, but you'll accumulate plenty of savings over the year!
• Cycle: The Netherlands is built for cycling – with over 22,000 miles of cycling paths, it can be an affordable and healthy way to get around.

English Teaching Jobs in the Netherlands

English teaching jobs in the Netherlands range from public and private schools, and EU teachers will have more flexibility when it comes to working part-time or freelance roles. Generally, public school jobs are generally reserved for experienced teachers who speak Dutch, so foreign teachers will find most opportunities in the private sector. Due to the availability of English speakers, private tutoring is less common unless you hold niche subject skills.

Here are the most common teaching jobs in the Netherlands.

Public schools

The Dutch education system is of a high standard, and jobs are reserved for local teachers unless you are fluent in Dutch. Students at public schools have a high level of English, as it's a compulsory subject taught from primary school.

Typical expectations of working in public schools in the Netherlands:

• Large classroom sizes (compared to private schools)
• High salary and benefits
• Requires Dutch fluency and a degree in education or a teaching license

Private language schools

Private language schools in the Netherlands are usually geared towards training in specific fields, like Business English, IELTS exam preparation, or academic English, and expect teachers to have experience or qualifications in these fields. These schools or language centres typically cater to students and workers who have a specific goal in mind, like studying abroad or working with international companies.

Typical expectations of working in private language institutes in the Netherlands:

• Evening and weekend classes
• Teaching smaller class sizes, mostly focused on adult students
• Requires a TEFL, degree, and experience or TEFL in teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) like business English, IELTS preparation
• Monthly or freelance pay structure

International schools

With such a high English proficiency score, international schools are less common in the Netherlands, but they do exist in cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam. At an international school, you'll teach international students from expatriate families who are learning English from a British, American, or international curriculum.

Typical expectations of working in international schools in the Netherlands:

• Teaching international students
• Small class sizes
• Delivering lessons from an international curriculum
• Excellent salary and benefits, but requires a degree, teaching license, and years of teaching experience

Universities

Typical expectations of working in universities in the Netherlands:

• Lecture-based teaching
• Emphasis on academic research, mentorship, career development
• Fewer teaching hours, but high levels of preparation and research
• High requirements, including a master's degree, doctorate, and previous teaching experience

Teaching English in Major Cities

The Netherlands is home to vibrant cities, and here's where you can find both the best lifestyle and English teaching opportunities.

Teaching English in Amsterdam

With international schools, corporate language schools, and universities, the teaching market is the biggest — but also the most competitive — in Amsterdam. When you're not teaching, you can stroll through its UNESCO-listed canal belt, navigate the city by bike, or soak up greenery at Vondelpark.

Read more about teaching English in Amsterdam.

Teaching English in Rotterdam

90% of Rotterdam, the Netherland's second-largest city, is below sea level, but this innovative hub of waterways, tree-lined canals and modernist architecture has transformed itself into a floating city.

With such an emphasis on innovation and engineering, the city is home to reputable universities, international schools, and English language schools for advanced teachers to launch or continue their TEFL careers. Outside the classroom, step into one of its many boutiques and cafés, navigate the city by water taxi, or stroll by the De Rotterdam building during sunset.

Ready to Teach English Abroad?

Don't forget your TEFL certificate! While many people may see the TEFL course as a means to an end to teach abroad, it's an essential step towards professional development and becoming a better TEFL teacher. Whether you want to teach English in the Netherlands or another European country, a TEFL course will teach you about classroom management, lesson planning, and teaching English as a foreign language.

Get started today with the 120-hour TEFL, the industry standard!

TEFL Org Teacher Story

Want on the ground insight on what it's like to teach English in the Netherlands? Check out Didi's experience as an academic English teacher in the Netherlands.

Didi in the Netherlands