International companies in the Netherlands

Thanks to its central European location, good infrastructure and competitive business taxes, the Netherlands is home to a large number of international companies. This means there are a lot of jobs in the Netherlands - and the local workforce is often not sufficient to satisfy demand. If you’re looking for businesses based in the Netherlands that are known for hiring international candidates, this page offers some useful tips and pointers. 

International companies in the Netherlands

Want to get straight on with job applications? Take a look at our list of international companies and recruitment agencies in the Netherlands that are looking for expatriates, and their open vacancies.

International companies based in the Netherlands

From established multinationals to newly-founded startups, the Netherlands is home to a broad range of international companies that operate in English and are almost always on the lookout for highly-educated, experienced professionals. 

You might think that most firms are concentrated in the main Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague, but this is not always true. Many international companies are situated in city suburbs or in specific regions, often meaning a commute. Nevertheless, this rarely proves a great disincentive, as travel distances are not that long and transportation is extremely reliable, accessible and easy to use.

Here’s an overview of some well-known international companies that are based in the Netherlands, sorted according to their industry. 

Finance 

The Netherlands is home to not only Dutch banks but international ones as well - not to mention some major fintech corporations. Some well-known companies that hire internationals include: 

• ING
• ABN AMRO
• Rabobank
• Deutsche Bank
• Citibank
• Adyen
• Mollie
• Bunq
• KPMG

Electronics

Some of the world’s biggest and most innovative companies were established in the Netherlands and maintain their headquarters there. These electronics companies are always on the lookout for new staff:

• Philips
• ASML 
• NXP
• TomTom
• Panasonic
• Vanderlande

Travel

The Netherlands is not only home to airlines and the famous booking platform Booking.com, but also a number of prominent hotel chains and other international travel and transportation companies, including:

• KLM 
• Transavia
• Booking.com
• CitizenM/Marriott
• Hilton Hotels
• Uber
• Kuehne and Nagel

Fashion and beauty

Many major fashion and beauty brands also have a presence in the Netherlands, including:

• Nike
• Adidas
• Tommy Hilfiger
• Calvin Klein
• Under Armour

Media, entertainment and communication

Many prominent media and communications companies have their EMEA headquarters in the Netherlands. Here are some major players:

• Netflix
• TikTok
• Nintendo
• Ubisoft
• Guerilla Games
• Roku 

Consumer goods

Finally, some major consumer goods companies also develop and even manufacture their products on Dutch soil. Some major companies you might have heard of include:

• Unilever
• Heineken
• FrieslandCampina
• Innocent Drinks (a Coca-Cola subsidiary)

What international companies look for

Wanting to apply for a job at an international company in the Netherlands? Here’s what you need in terms of skills and experience. 

English is the main business language in most international companies, so you’d be expected to be able to speak and write business-level English. Being able to speak Dutch is also considered an asset. 

A higher educational background (a Master’s degree or a PhD) is considered a significant accomplishment and an asset for most jobs. Combined with prior work experience, having this level of education will definitely increase your chances of finding a job in the Netherlands.

Why do international companies choose the Netherlands?

International companies choose the Netherlands to set up their offices or European headquarters because the Dutch working environment is very open, multicultural and business-oriented, and the country can proudly boast one of the most stable economies in Europe.

Also, an abundance of multi-skilled expatriates, a tax system that offers great economic incentives, and the country's geographic location, have all established the Netherlands as an ideal destination for many industries.