The Netherlands is the world’s second-biggest exporter of food and flowers. People call it the “Food Valley” because it grows so much in a small country. Every year, Dutch farms and greenhouses need thousands of workers from outside the EU. If you want farm worker jobs in Netherlands with visa sponsorship in 2025, this simple guide will help you step by step.
Visa Sponsorship Netherlands: Understanding the Seasonal Permit
Farm jobs in the Netherlands are usually seasonal jobs (6 months maximum). For people from outside the EU, the employer must get a special work permit for you.
There are two main permits:
- GVVA – Combined residence and work permit
- TWV – Short seasonal work permit (most common for farm jobs)
The Dutch government has two offices that check everything:
- IND = Immigration office
- UWV = Employment office
The Key Requirements for 2025 Applicants
You MUST have a job offer first
You cannot apply for the visa by yourself. A Dutch employer must give you a real employment contract and prove they could not find a worker from the Netherlands or EU.
Maximum 24 weeks (about 6 months)
You can stay and work only with that one employer. You cannot change company with the same permit.
MVV entry visa (if your country needs it)
Many countries need this extra visa sticker to enter. The employer applies for it together with the work permit.
Good news: Almost all big farms and agencies are “Recognised Sponsors”. This means they know how to do all the paperwork and they pay all visa costs for you.
Farm Worker Salary Netherlands for Overseas Candidates
The Netherlands has very good and fair salary rules. Foreign workers get exactly the same money as Dutch workers.
Official Minimum Wage 2025
- From 1 January 2025 → €14.06 per hour (age 21 and older)
- From 1 July 2025 → €14.40 per hour
CAO – Extra money from the sector agreement
Most farm jobs follow the CAO for Horticulture or Temporary Agency Workers. The CAO pays a little more than the minimum wage (sometimes €14.50–€16.00 per hour) + you always get:
- 8% holiday money (paid in May or when you finish)
- Paid holidays
- Sometimes overtime pay (150–200%
Real example: Many strawberry and flower workers earn €2,200–€2,800 net per month after tax and rent when they work full time in the season.
Targeting the Right Sector and Location
Not all farm jobs are the same. Some areas and crops need many more workers.
High-Demand Jobs
- Greenhouse workers (tomatoes, peppers, flowers) – biggest need
- Flower bulb planting and picking (especially September–November and March–May)
- Fruit picking (strawberries, apples, blueberries)
- Vegetable harvesting (potatoes, onions, carrots)
- Dairy farm workers (milking cows, cleaning)
Best Places to Find Sponsorship Jobs
- Westland (Zuid-Holland) – called “Glass City” because of thousands of greenhouses
- Noord-Brabant – big for mushrooms and animals
- Flevoland – large vegetable fields
- Limburg and Gelderland – fruit farms
Your 4-Step Plan to Secure a Job
Make a Simple Strong CV
Write clearly:
- Your name, age, country, phone, WhatsApp, email
- Past farm or manual work experience
- That you are strong, healthy and ready to work hard
- Basic English or German is a bonus (not always needed)
Find Real Recognised Sponsor Companies
Only big companies and licensed agencies can sponsor visas fast. Look for:
- Otto Work Force
- AB Werkt
- Flexcraft
- AgriPool
- Covebo Work
- Jobbird farm jobs section These companies are on the official IND Recognised Sponsor list and post hundreds of jobs every month.
Choose Jobs with Housing
99% of good sponsorship jobs give you a house or caravan on the farm or close by. Normal rent is €80–€120 per week and is taken from your salary. This is the easiest way because finding a house alone in the Netherlands is almost impossible for 6 months.
Apply and Wait for the Employer to Do the Visa
When they choose you, they send:
- Employment contract
- TWV/GVVA application
- MVV (if needed) You only need to give:
- Passport copy
- Clean criminal record paper from your country
- Sometimes a health insurance paper
The whole visa process takes 4–8 weeks. When it is ready, you fly to the Netherlands and start work in 1–2 weeks.
Ready to Harvest Your Career in the Netherlands?
Farm worker jobs with visa sponsorship in the Netherlands 2025 are real and safe when you choose big recognised companies. You can earn good money (€2,200–€3,000 net per month), live in free or cheap housing, and see beautiful Europe in your free time.
Start applying today on the websites of big agencies. The main seasons are:
- February–June (flowers and vegetables)
- June–September (fruit and harvest)
Good luck! Your Dutch farm adventure can start very soon.
Take Action Now: Follow pages and groups that post real sponsorship jobs every week and prepare your passport and CV today!
Disclaimer:
This information is for help and education only. Rules can change. Always check the latest information on official IND.nl and UWV.nl websites before you sign any contract.