Is an internship work?
Do I need a work permit if I do an internship at a Dutch Company as a part of my study?
The employer does not need to apply for a work permit for you. The employer must however, be able to present an internship agreement to the Labour Inspectorate, upon request.
You are legally obliged to sign an internship agreement with your higher education institution and internship employer. We strongly advise you to use the standard internship agreement for non-EU-EEA students drawn up by Nuffic in consultation with the Dutch government.
student trainee agreement (three party contract)
Note: When you are doing an internship in the Netherlands, it is important to determine whether you fall under the Long-Term Care Act (Wlz). As of September 1, 2025, the rules concerning internships and the obligation to have Dutch basic health insurance have changed for international students from EU/EEA countries, Switzerland, and treaty countries who are doing an internship in the Netherlands (including at Fontys). Please contact SVB.nl (Sociale Verzekeringsbank), which is the organisation that implements national insurance schemes in the Netherlands and start the Wlz assessment when you are in doubt.