Internship Abroad in the Netherlands: Visa, Insurance and Funding

An internship in the Netherlands is straightforward for students from Germany, because the country is part of the EU and the distances are short. The formalities still differ, however. For a stay of more than four months, you need to register with the municipality, and for paid work you need a citizen service number (BSN). Here is what to clarify in advance.

The key points at a glance

• You do not need a visa as an EU citizen.
• If you stay longer than four months, registration with the municipality is the next step.
• For paid work you usually need a BSN, the citizen service number.
• The EHIC covers medically necessary treatment, but not repatriation.
• Check the minimum wage under Dutch law. The German figure does not apply there.

Do I need a visa or registration in the Netherlands?

You do not need a visa. Registration follows a clear rule: if your stay lasts longer than four months, you register with the municipality (gemeente). The BSN is normally issued at the same time and is required for paid work and many contracts. The four-month threshold is based on information from the Dutch government, so confirm it with your municipality. For a short internship your passport is usually enough, but for half a year you should take the registration obligation seriously.

Which health insurance applies in the Netherlands?

With the EHIC you receive medically necessary benefits in the Netherlands. Under section 13(4) SGB V, statutory health insured persons may choose treatment in EU countries through cost reimbursement. The card does not replace insurance for repatriation, however. If you live or work in the country, you are generally subject to Dutch mandatory health insurance (zorgverzekering). Our article on health insurance in the EU abroad, Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more, summarises the basics of the EHIC abroad.

If your internship is compulsory and unpaid, you remain compulsorily insured under section 5(1) no. 10 SGB V until the activity ends or until you turn 30 (section 190(10) SGB V). If the internship is paid, ask your health insurer in writing whether you stay insured in Germany before you look for accommodation.

How much Erasmus funding is there for the Netherlands?

Erasmus funding depends on the country group of the host country. The HAWK call for project year 2026 places the Netherlands in country group 1 and lists 750 euros per month for internships in this group, including a 150 euro surcharge. The University of Marburg also lists the Netherlands in group 1 for 2026/27, with a 600 euro base rate. Each university sets its own rates and maximum duration. According to the National Agency at the DAAD, an Erasmus internship lasts at least two and at most twelve months. An overview of financing is provided by our guide Funding Study Abroad: BAföG, Erasmus and Scholarships.

Billing matters too: funding is paid per 30 days. A three-month internship therefore does not automatically produce three full instalments, especially if your university calculates differently or the duration falls just short of a full monthly block.

Does an internship in the Netherlands have to be paid?

Compulsory internships are exempt from the German statutory minimum wage under section 22 MiLoG. Pay in the Netherlands, however, follows Dutch employment law. The German figure of 13.90 euros per hour (as of January 2026) cannot be transferred. Check the minimum wage that applies there with the Dutch government before you accept an amount in your contract.

How do I register? Step by step

1. Check whether your stay lasts longer than four months.
2. Register with the municipality as soon as you have a permanent address.
3. Ask for your BSN if the host organisation needs it for the contract.
4. Check that your EHIC is valid for the entire period.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need Dutch health insurance for a short internship?

For a short internship this is usually not necessary, because the EHIC covers medically necessary treatment during temporary stays. For a longer stay with work or a residence, the Dutch system applies. Clarify this early with your health insurer and the municipality.

Do I have to deregister after the internship?

Yes, if you have registered. Deregistering with the municipality keeps your data correct when you return or move on.

Can I work in the Netherlands without a written contract?

We advise against it. Without an agreement it is unclear whether your university recognises the internship and who is responsible in the event of an accident. Put everything in writing before you leave.

Does the Erasmus funding apply to every employer in the country?

In principle yes, if the internship fits within the Erasmus rules and your university recognises it. Your International Office will clarify in advance whether your specific employer is eligible.

What to do now

1. Clarify with your university whether Erasmus funding is possible and which monthly rate it has set for group 1.
2. Ask to see the internship contract in advance and check the duration and pay.
3. Ask your health insurer whether you stay insured during the internship.
4. Plan registration with the municipality if you stay longer than four months.

Related guides

• Internship Abroad in Spain: Visa, Insurance and Funding
• Internship Abroad in France: Visa, Insurance and Funding
• Health insurance for students in the EU: EHIC and more
• Student Internship: Minimum Wage and Social Insurance
• Planning an Exchange Semester: Erasmus and Funding

Sources: Social Code Book V, section 5 (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 13 (as of October 2026), SGB V, section 190 (as of October 2026), Minimum Wage Act, section 22 (as of October 2026), HAWK, Erasmus+ internship monthly rates, project year 2026, Government of the Netherlands, registration and BSN (as of October 2026), University of Marburg, Erasmus+ funding rates 2026/27 (undated), National Agency at the DAAD, Erasmus+ internship abroad (retrieved October 2026).

Stand: October 2026. This guide is information, not individual advice.