Can I Work in the Netherlands if I Already Have a Residence Permit in Another EU Country?
Imagine this: you’re already living in Europe with a residence permit from Poland, Portugal, or Italy. Maybe you’re from Pakistan or India, and you’ve found steady work in construction, hospitality, or logistics. Life is going well, but then you hear that wages in the Netherlands are higher, or that job opportunities there are better. Naturally, you wonder:
“Since I already have a residence card in one EU country, can I just move to the Netherlands and start working?”
The answer might surprise you: No, not automatically. And here’s why.
The Big Misunderstanding: The EU Is Not One Country
One of the most common mistakes people make is thinking of the European Union (EU) as if it were a single country, like the United States. But in reality, the EU is a union of 27 independent countries.
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Each country controls its own residence permits and work authorisations.
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A permit issued in one country (for example, Poland) is only valid there.
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It does not automatically give you rights to live and work in another country (like the Netherlands).
👉 The only exception is for citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. They enjoy freedom of movement, which lets them live and work anywhere in the EU without extra permits.
For non-EU citizens (like those from Pakistan, India, Nigeria, or Brazil), things are different. Your residence permit is tied to the country that issued it.
1. If You’re an EU/EEA or Swiss Citizen
This part is simple. If you are from an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you don’t need special paperwork. You can move to the Netherlands, look for work, and start right away.
👉 Example: A person from Spain working in Madrid can take a job in Amsterdam next month with no extra permits.
2. If You’re a Non-EU Citizen
For non-EU citizens, the rules depend on what type of permit you have.
A. Regular Residence Permit (Work, Study, or Family)
If you have a regular residence card from Poland, Portugal, Italy, or another EU country, it is valid only in that country.
👉 Example:
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Arif from Pakistan: Arif has a Polish residence permit tied to his warehouse job. He hears about better wages in the Netherlands and thinks he can just move. Unfortunately, his Polish card only allows him to live and work in Poland. In the Netherlands, it’s not valid for employment. To work there, he would need a Dutch employer to sponsor him for a work permit, plus a Dutch residence permit.
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Priya from India: Priya has a Portuguese residence permit for her job in hospitality. She wants to join her cousin in Amsterdam to work in a restaurant. But her Portuguese card does not allow her to work in the Netherlands. She can visit as a tourist for up to 90 days, but she cannot legally take a job there without Dutch paperwork.
👉 This confusion happens often because with a Schengen residence card, you can travel to other Schengen countries without a visa. But travel rights are not the same as work rights.
B. EU Long-Term Resident Permit
After living legally in one EU country for five years or more, you may qualify for an EU long-term resident permit. This is different from a normal residence card—it usually says “long-term resident – EU” on it.
With this permit, you gain more mobility rights. You can move to another EU country, including the Netherlands, for work, study, or business.
👉 But:
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You still need to apply for a Dutch residence permit when moving.
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The process is faster and simpler than starting from zero, but it’s not automatic.
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Depending on the job, a Dutch work permit may still be needed.
C. EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is for highly skilled workers (for example, IT specialists, engineers, or doctors). If you hold one and have lived in the issuing country for at least 18 months, you can transfer to another EU country like the Netherlands.
👉 Example:
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Maria from Brazil has a Blue Card from Germany, where she’s been working for two years. She gets a job offer in Amsterdam. She can apply for a Dutch Blue Card and move, as long as her new Dutch job meets the salary and skill requirements.
3. Short Visits in the Netherlands
If you already have a residence permit from a Schengen country, you can travel to the Netherlands for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without needing a visa.
👉 But:
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This is only for tourism, family visits, or business meetings.
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It does not give you the right to work in the Netherlands.
Quick Summary
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✅ EU/EEA/Swiss citizens – Can freely live and work in the Netherlands.
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❌ Non-EU citizens with a regular residence permit (e.g., Poland, Portugal) – Your card only works in the country that issued it. It does not give you work rights in the Netherlands.
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⚡ EU long-term residents – Can move more easily, but still need to apply in the Netherlands.
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💼 EU Blue Card holders – Can transfer after 18 months, if conditions are met.
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✈️ Tourist visits – Allowed with a Schengen residence card, but not for employment.
Final Thoughts
If you’re from Pakistan, India, or another non-EU country, and you’re already working in places like Poland or Portugal, it’s important to understand that the EU is not one single country. Your residence permit is only valid in the country that gave it to you.
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You can travel within the Schengen zone, but that doesn’t mean you can work everywhere.
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To legally work in the Netherlands, you will need the right Dutch residence and work permits, unless you hold an EU long-term permit or an EU Blue Card.
👉 Tip: If you’re considering moving, check the Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) website or talk with your potential employer in the Netherlands. Many employers help with sponsorship and applications.
✅ In plain words: Having a Polish or Portuguese residence permit does not automatically open the door to Dutch jobs. Europe may feel like one big country when you travel—but when it comes to working, every EU member state has its own rules.
