How to work as a nurse in the Netherlands from Turkey

The Netherlands has been actively recruiting foreign nurses for over a decade. The Dutch healthcare system is under sustained pressure — hospitals, care homes, and community health organisations are consistently short-staffed. For Turkish nurses with solid clinical experience, this is one of the most accessible pathways into Northern Europe.

To work as a nurse in the Netherlands you must be registered in the BIG register (Beroepen in de Individuele Gezondheidszorg). This is the Dutch equivalent of a nursing licence and it is mandatory before you can practice clinically.

For Turkish nurses the process involves submitting your Turkish nursing diploma for recognition assessment through CIBG, the Dutch government body that manages BIG registration. You will need certified translations of your diploma and transcripts into Dutch or English, proof of your current Turkish nursing licence, a certificate of good standing from your Turkish nursing authority, and proof of identity.

Processing times currently run between three and six months so begin this process well before your intended start date.

Dutch is required. Most hospitals require B2 level Dutch for clinical nursing roles. This surprises many applicants who assume English is sufficient — in patient-facing roles it is not. The good news is that Dutch is considered one of the more accessible languages for Turkish speakers to reach functional level in, and there are structured Dutch language programmes specifically designed for foreign healthcare workers.

Several Dutch hospitals and healthcare groups offer sponsored language training as part of their international recruitment packages. When browsing positions on EuroTalent, look specifically for employers who mention language support — this significantly reduces your time and cost to becoming work-ready.

Elderly care (verpleeghuizen) and home care organisations have the most acute shortages and are often the most flexible on language level during an initial integration period. Hospital nursing roles in specialisations like intensive care, emergency, and surgical nursing are in high demand and command higher salaries but require stronger Dutch from day one.

Regions outside Amsterdam and Rotterdam — Utrecht, Eindhoven, Groningen, Tilburg — often offer faster hiring processes and relocation support that larger city employers don't need to provide.

As a Turkish national you will need a work permit (TWV) and a residence permit (verblijfsvergunning) to work in the Netherlands. The good news is that most Dutch healthcare employers are experienced with this process and will sponsor your application directly. A sponsored job offer is the fastest and cleanest route — which is exactly why applying through a dedicated platform like EuroTalent, where employers are actively seeking Turkish professionals, matters.

Turkey is also a signatory to the European Social Charter which provides some additional protections and recognition frameworks that can smooth the process compared to applicants from other non-EU countries.

Registered nurses in the Netherlands earn between €2,400 and €3,200 per month gross depending on specialisation, experience, and shift patterns. With night and weekend allowances — which are standard in Dutch healthcare — effective monthly earnings are typically higher. The Netherlands also has strong collective bargaining agreements in healthcare (CAO Ziekenhuizen) which means your pay and conditions are legally protected from day one.

Begin Dutch language preparation immediately — aim for B1 within six months, B2 within twelve. Request your certificate of good standing from your Turkish nursing authority now as it can take several weeks to arrive. Start the CIBG assessment process as early as possible given processing times. And browse current nursing positions on EuroTalent to see which Dutch employers are actively hiring Turkish nurses right now — some will support you through the entire process.