The Netherlands offers strong seasonal employment during the Christmas and New Year period. Retail, hospitality, logistics and events sectors all increase hiring from October through January.
Popular Christmas jobs in the Netherlands
Retail
Dutch retailers hire extra staff for the busy December shopping period:
- Sales assistants at HEMA, Albert Heijn, Bijenkorf, Action
- Warehouse and stock room workers
- Gift wrapping and customer service
Hospitality
Hotels, restaurants and cafés hire seasonal staff for:
- Serving (bediening)
- Kitchen assistance
- Catering for corporate Christmas events (kerstborrels)
- Hotel front desk
Logistics
Dutch e-commerce and delivery services need:
- Warehouse workers (magazijnmedewerker)
- Parcel sorters at PostNL, DHL, Bol.com fulfilment centres
- Bicycle delivery couriers
Sinterklaas period
The Netherlands celebrates Sinterklaas in early December, creating unique seasonal roles:
- Shop assistants for Sinterklaas gifts
- Event assistants for Sinterklaas arrivals and celebrations
Student work rules in the Netherlands
As of 2026, the minimum wage in the Netherlands is approximately €2,535 per month gross for workers aged 21 and over (for a 40-hour week).
Key points for students:
- EU/EEA students can work without restrictions
- Non-EU students with a Dutch student permit can work 16 hours per week during term and full-time during official holidays
- Employers must have a TWV (work permit) for non-EU workers in some cases
- Holiday work (vakantiewerk) from age 13 is permitted under specific conditions
Verify current rules: Check Rijksoverheid.nl or your university’s international office for the latest regulations.
Where to find Christmas jobs
- NinoForge — search part-time and seasonal jobs
- UWV werk.nl — the Dutch government job portal
- University career services
- Uitzendbureau (temp agencies) — Randstad, Adecco, Timing
- Direct employer websites
Tips
- Start looking in October — peak hiring is November
- Build a professional profile — Dutch employers value structured CVs
- Learn basic Dutch — even in English-friendly companies, basic Dutch helps
- Keep your BSN — you need a citizen service number to work legally
- Report suspicious offers — legitimate employers don’t charge application fees
Create a free NinoForge profile to start discovering opportunities.
This article provides general guidance. Employment regulations are subject to change. Check Rijksoverheid.nl for current rules.