Netherlands Issued Over 20,000 Work Permits to Non-EU Migrants & Asylum Seekers in 2024

Sharp Increase in Work Permits Highlights Growing Labour Shortages.

The Dutch government issued 20,172 work permits for migrants and asylum seekers in 2024, highlighting the country’s ongoing need for foreign workers.

According to the Dutch state employment agency UWV, this figure does not include foreigners working under a highly-skilled migrant visa, reports Schengen.News.

The issuance of work permits has increased by 12% compared to 2013, underlining the Netherlands' growing reliance on foreign labour.

However, experts warn that the rise in work permits for migrants could deepen labour shortages for domestic workers.

Work Permits for Asylum Seekers Quadrupled Compared to 2023

A particularly notable trend was the fourfold increase in work permits for asylum seekers.

In 2024, 9,281 work permits were issued to asylum seekers, a sharp rise compared to 2023.

According to NL Times, this surge followed the removal of the 24-week work restriction for asylum seekers, which was lifted at the end of 2023.

As a result, a significantly higher number of asylum seekers expressed interest in working longer hours, primarily in the hospitality, agricultural, and service industries.

Dutch Labour Market to Remain Tight, Says Expert

Labour market specialist at Rabobank, Leontine Treur, commented that the Netherlands faces a tight labour market, which will persist in the coming years.

“We have a tight labour market, and that will remain so in the coming years. This keeps the demand for labour migrants high.”

Treur also emphasized that the low unemployment rate in the Netherlands means that only a small percentage of vacancies can be filled by local workers, while foreign workers are essential to fill the remaining job positions.