Yes, construction and warehouse jobs paying roughly €2,800 to €4,200 a month gross exist in the Netherlands, but the honest starting point is this: most foreign workers doing this work in the Netherlands are EU/EEA nationals who need no visa at all, while non-EU nationals face a genuinely difficult path involving a labour market test that most employers cannot pass for these roles. If you are outside the EU, understanding this distinction before you start applying will save you time and protect you from scams.
This guide explains who actually needs a visa, what construction and warehouse jobs typically pay, the permit process for non-EU applicants, and the practical alternatives many candidates use instead. Figures are drawn from Dutch government and legal sources where possible; where sources disagree, we say so. Nothing here guarantees a job offer, a work permit or a visa.
The Most Important Fact: Who Actually Needs a Visa
The Netherlands is part of the EU/EEA, and citizens of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland can live and work there without a visa or work permit. In practice, a large share of the warehouse and construction workforce filling these roles are Polish, Romanian, Bulgarian and other EU nationals, often hired through staffing agencies (uitzendbureaus).
Non-EU nationals need permission to work, and for construction and warehouse roles this is genuinely hard to get, because Dutch immigration law requires employers to prove no suitable candidate is available from the Netherlands or the wider EU/EEA before hiring from outside it. This is called the labour market test (arbeidsmarkttoets), and legal sources describe it as the reason many standard TWV and GVVA applications for these occupations are refused. If a recruiter promises an easy non-EU visa for a general warehouse or construction labourer role, treat that as a red flag.
Typical Pay for Construction and Warehouse Work
| Role | Typical monthly gross pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory minimum wage (age 21+, full-time) | About €2,295–€2,600 | Depends on 36, 38 or 40-hour contract; rate rose to €14.71/hour in January 2026 and €14.99/hour in July 2026 |
| General warehouse worker / order picker | Roughly €2,300–€2,900 | Often paid hourly through a staffing agency |
| Forklift operator / experienced warehouse worker | Roughly €2,800–€3,400 | Certification and experience raise pay |
| General construction labourer | Roughly €2,600–€3,200 | CAO Bouw & Infra sets sector minimums above statutory wage |
| Skilled tradesperson (electrician, welder, carpenter) | Roughly €3,200–€4,200+ | Trade certification and experience strongly affect pay |
| Site supervisor / foreman | Roughly €3,800–€4,500+ | Experience and language skills matter |
These figures are typical ranges reported by recruitment and relocation sources, not fixed rates. Actual pay depends on the collective labour agreement (CAO) covering your sector, your experience, and whether you are employed directly or through a staffing agency. Always confirm the wage in your specific job offer.
Which Permit Applies to Non-EU Applicants
| Permit | Who it’s for | Duration | Labour market test? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TWV (Tewerkstellingsvergunning) | Non-EU workers staying under 90 days | Up to 90 days, or up to 24 weeks/year for seasonal work | Yes, in most cases |
| GVVA (Gecombineerde Vergunning voor Verblijf en Arbeid) | Non-EU workers staying over 90 days | Generally up to 1 year initially (3 years for Turkish nationals under the EU-Turkey agreement) | Yes, in most cases |
| Highly Skilled Migrant permit (kennismigrant) | Roles meeting a salary threshold, generally well above typical construction or warehouse pay | Tied to contract | No |
Construction and warehouse jobs almost never meet the highly skilled migrant salary threshold, so most non-EU applicants would go through the TWV or GVVA route, both of which require the employer to pass the labour market test.
How the Labour Market Test Works
Before a Dutch employer can get a TWV or GVVA for you, it generally must:
- Advertise the vacancy to the Dutch and EU/EEA labour market, commonly for a minimum period reported as around 5 weeks, registered with UWV (the Employee Insurance Agency).
- Document genuine recruitment efforts, including where the vacancy was posted and why EU/EEA candidates were not suitable.
- Offer at least the going market rate of pay for the role, not just the statutory minimum.
- Submit the application to UWV for a TWV, or to the IND for a GVVA, together with company and role documentation.
Because EU/EEA candidates are broadly available for general warehouse and construction labour, legal sources note that standard applications in these categories are frequently refused. Permits are more realistic for roles with genuine, documented shortages, or for specific skilled trades where an employer can show no EU/EEA candidate is available.
Realistic Pathways for Non-EU Workers
Given the labour market test, non-EU applicants interested in construction or warehouse work in the Netherlands typically have a few realistic options:
- Specific skilled trades with documented shortages. Some employers successfully sponsor tradespeople in occupations with clearer shortages, but this depends heavily on the employer, region and current labour market data.
- Intra-company transfer, if you already work for a company with Dutch operations, which uses a different, less test-dependent route.
- EU Blue Card, which applies to highly qualified roles with a set salary threshold, rarely relevant to general construction or warehouse work.
- First qualifying through an EU country, since EU/EEA nationals do not face the same barriers. This is a longer-term route and not a shortcut around Dutch or your home country’s immigration rules.
- Working with a specialised employer or agency that has successfully sponsored similar roles before and can show genuine evidence for the labour market test.
Be cautious of anyone offering to bypass the labour market test entirely for a fee; this is not how the legitimate process works.
Step-by-Step: What the Process Looks Like
- Secure a genuine job offer from a Dutch employer willing to sponsor a non-EU worker.
- Employer runs the labour market test, advertising the role and documenting recruitment.
- Employer applies for the TWV or GVVA, through UWV or the IND depending on the length of stay.
- Wait for a decision. Reported processing times run around 5 weeks for TWV and roughly 8 to 12 weeks for GVVA applications, though this varies.
- Receive your permit and travel to the Netherlands, or, for GVVA holders, collect your residence document after arrival.
- Register with your municipality and arrange a Dutch bank account, health insurance and a BSN (citizen service number).
Costs to Expect
| Item | Typical cost | Paid by |
|---|---|---|
| TWV application | Reported around €320 to €681 depending on source | Employer |
| GVVA / MVV and residence permit fees | Reported around €210 plus IND fees | Employer, though practices vary |
| Mandatory Dutch health insurance | Roughly €120–€150 a month | Worker, once employed |
| Housing | Varies widely by region | Worker, sometimes arranged by staffing agency |
Fee figures differ across sources and change over time, so confirm current amounts with the employer or IND before relying on them.
Compliance and Practical Considerations
The employer applies, not you. Both the TWV and GVVA are employer-driven applications. You cannot apply for either on your own behalf.
Minimum wage is a legal floor, not a target. The statutory minimum wage rose to €14.71 an hour in January 2026 and €14.99 in July 2026 for workers aged 21 and over; any job offer below this is unlawful.
Sector agreements (CAO) often set higher minimums. Construction (CAO Bouw & Infra) and logistics sectors frequently pay above the statutory floor, so compare any offer against typical sector rates.
Work permits are employer-specific. Changing employers as a non-EU worker generally means a new labour market test and a new application.
Watch for recruitment scams. Genuine employers do not charge workers for the TWV or GVVA process. Be wary of agents demanding large upfront payments or guaranteeing approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a Dutch work visa for a warehouse or construction job as a non-EU citizen?
It is possible but difficult, because employers must first prove no EU/EEA candidate is available for the role. Many standard applications in these occupations are refused for this reason.
Do EU citizens need a visa to work in Dutch warehouses or construction?
No. EU, EEA and Swiss nationals can work in the Netherlands without a visa or work permit.
What is the real difference between a TWV and a GVVA?
The TWV covers work only, for stays under 90 days. The GVVA combines work and residence permission and applies to longer stays, generally over 90 days.
How much do construction and warehouse workers actually earn in the Netherlands?
Typical ranges reported are roughly €2,300 to €4,200+ a month gross, depending on role, skill level and sector agreement, well above the statutory minimum wage.
Can a recruiter guarantee me a Dutch work visa?
No legitimate recruiter can guarantee a visa outcome, since approval depends on the labour market test and IND or UWV decision. Be cautious of anyone who claims otherwise.
Does the employer or the worker pay for the work permit?
The employer applies for and generally bears the cost of the TWV or GVVA. Workers should not be asked to pay for these government processes.
Conclusion
For non-EU applicants, the realistic path into Dutch construction and warehouse work runs through an employer willing to complete a genuine labour market test, most often for specific skilled trades rather than general labour. EU/EEA nationals, by contrast, can work freely without a visa. Whichever route applies to you, verify every fee, wage and processing time with the employer, UWV or IND before making decisions.
Sources
- Government of the Netherlands, minimum wage: https://www.government.nl/topics/minimum-wage
- UWV, work permits: https://www.uwv.nl/werkgevers/werknemer-in-dienst/detail/tewerkstellingsvergunning
- IND, combined permit for residence and work (GVVA): https://ind.nl/en/work/working-in-the-netherlands
- Dutch Minimum Wage and Minimum Holiday Allowance Act overview: https://dutch-law.com/employment-law/minimum-wage-netherlands.html
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