Chef jobs in the Netherlands for chefs from the EU
Are you a chef in Spain, Portugal, Italy, Poland or another EU country and thinking about a move to Amsterdam or elsewhere in the Netherlands? With an EU, EEA or Swiss passport you can work here without a visa or work permit.
NovaChef recruits for roles including sous chef, head chef and executive head chef, for hotels, restaurants and caterers. Our service is completely free for candidates.
Who can work in the Netherlands?
Citizens of the EU, the EEA and Switzerland have free access to the Dutch labour market. You do not need a residence permit or work permit to take a job here.
Chefs from outside Europe can only work here with a residence permit that allows work. We cannot arrange visas or work permits, and the employers we recruit for almost never sponsor them. That is why we only help chefs who are already allowed to work in the Netherlands.
What to arrange before your first shift
- A valid passport or ID card. Your employer checks it before you start.
- A citizen service number (BSN). You need it to be paid. Staying longer than four months? Register with the municipality where you live and you receive a BSN. Staying shorter? You can register as a non-resident (RNI) at one of the designated municipalities.
- Dutch health insurance. If you work in the Netherlands, you generally need Dutch basic health insurance.
- A bank account for your salary. An account in another EU country usually works for this too.
Language, housing and rota
Some kitchens in the Netherlands work in English, others expect you to speak Dutch. Tell us your level honestly. We then only introduce you to kitchens where it fits.
Housing in and around Amsterdam is scarce and expensive. Take that into account when you plan your move and tell us where you could live. NovaChef is based in Amsterdam and recruits across the Netherlands.
Compare the salary with the contracted hours and the rota. We discuss salary, hours and your wishes before we introduce you to an employer.
How NovaChef helps you
You start with an intake with Saartje, Juri or Thomas. We ask about your experience, the kitchens you have worked in and what you are looking for. Then we introduce you to a suitable employer. After an interview and a reference check there is a second interview or a trial shift. A trial shift takes place in the kitchen itself, so plan a visit to the Netherlands.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to work as a chef in the Netherlands?
Not if you have an EU, EEA or Swiss passport. Chefs from other countries need a residence permit that allows work. We cannot arrange visas or work permits.
Do I need to speak Dutch?
Not always. Some kitchens work in English, others need Dutch. Tell us your level and we only introduce you where it fits.
Does NovaChef charge me anything?
No. Our service is completely free for candidates.
Ready to make the move?
Register with your preferences, or browse the vacancies first. Tell us when you could move and where you could live.