- Amsterdam is one of Europe's most English speaking job markets.
- The employer must be an IND recognised sponsor for the highly skilled migrant permit.
- Salary thresholds 2026: €5,942 a month at 30 and over, €4,357 under 30.
- Housing is scarce, so plan early.
Amsterdam is one of the most international job markets in Europe. English is the working language in a large share of companies, and many global firms run their European headquarters from here. The catch: housing is scarce, and your employer must be a recognised sponsor.
Who hires internationally in Amsterdam
- Tech and travel companies such as Booking.com.
- Fintech, including Adyen, plus large banks such as ING.
- European headquarters of international companies.
- Startups and scaleups across the city.
The fields with the most chances
- Software and data: the largest group of English speaking jobs.
- Fintech and payments: engineering, risk and operations.
- Marketing and sales for EMEA: many roles cover several countries.
- Customer operations with languages: a common entry point for multilingual candidates.
How far English gets you
Very far. Many companies work fully in English. Dutch still helps for public sector jobs and some local roles. Before you apply, check that the company is on the IND public register of recognised sponsors; the Netherlands job board marks matching companies.
Search current English speaking jobs in Amsterdam on my live job board.
How I would approach Amsterdam
- Check the sponsor register first. No recognised sponsor, no highly skilled migrant permit.
- Check the salary threshold. €5,942 a month at 30 and over, €4,357 under 30 in 2026.
- Look at nearby cities. Rotterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven and The Hague also hire in English.
- Start the housing search early. Housing is the biggest practical challenge in Amsterdam.
Common questions
Can I work in Amsterdam with English only?
Yes, in many companies. Dutch helps for some local and public sector jobs.
How do I know if a company can sponsor me?
Check the IND public register of recognised sponsors.
Is Amsterdam better than Berlin?
Salaries are often higher in Amsterdam, but housing is harder and the sponsor rule limits which companies can hire you.
I moved to Germany for my master's, collected more than 1,000 rejections, and then got multiple job offers within six months. I work in digital marketing in Germany and help international professionals get hired in Europe. Read my story.