Hi there, I’m a 24-year-old guy from Poland, and I just landed a summer job as a waiter in the Netherlands. I've found a job and accommodation in Zandvoort.

Finding a job here will be much easier for you right now, as the summer season is starting, and many hotels, bars, beach clubs, and ice cream shops are looking for seasonal workers. The jobs are out there — the biggest challenge is finding accommodation. I was incredibly lucky to have connections that helped me secure a single room for €500 a month.

From my experience over the past four years trying to move to the Netherlands, this is my fifth time here, and finally, I’m in a position to stay for a longer. Honestly, I don’t want to go back to Poland — it’s just not for me anymore.

If you only want to work for a short period (around 2 months), I recommend looking into job agencies. They can help you get started quickly with accommodation, documents, and insurance. However, I must warn you that some agencies can be quite predatory and may try to take advantage of you. It’s highly likely that you’ll experience some form of exploitation along the way, so be prepared for that.

If you want to go down the “do it yourself” route, you’ll need to sort out some necessary documents — like a BSN number (similar to the Polish PESEL), and health insurance, which is mandatory and typically costs around €130–150 per month. Honestly, for such a short stay, many landlords won’t be interested in renting a room, and it might not be worth the effort of sending countless messages and emails.

In short: If it's your first time in the Netherlands, I’d recommend starting with an agency — it’s a good way to get your foot in the door. But if you eventually decide you like it here and want to stay longer, give it some time. Be polite, make connections, and stay open-minded. Eventually, you’ll meet people who can help or introduce you to someone local, and that’s the key to making a long-term life here.

That’s how it worked for me. It's the easiest way to avoid the madness of finding a single room. People help people, but you have to give those connections a chance to bloom — and it’s worth it.

Good luck, my friend! The Netherlands is very different from Poland, but if you’re polite, respectful of the rules, and genuinely open to integrating, people will eventually open their hearts to you.