How to write a CV in the Netherlands (2026)

A Dutch CV should be short, clear and easy to scan, because a recruiter skims it quickly. This guide explains the norms for a CV in the Netherlands: length, layout, personal details, photo, language levels, Europass, the motivation letter and privacy under the GDPR (AVG). If you are deciding between an English and a Dutch CV, read our guide on English versus Dutch CVs as well.

The short version

• One or two pages of A4, as a PDF.
• Work experience and education in reverse chronological order, with month and year.
• Name, city, phone number and email address at the top.
• No date of birth, marital status or BSN.
• A photo is optional.
• Your Dutch level, if you speak Dutch, stated on the CV.
• A motivation letter when the vacancy asks for one.

Length and layout

A CV fits on one or two pages. Two pages suit a career of several years. Go beyond that only when the work demands it, such as a long list of publications or projects. Recruiters skim, so the first page must hold the most relevant information.

Use one font, clear headings and short bullet points. Avoid tables, columns, icons, progress bars and text boxes. Some employers run CVs through an applicant tracking system (ATS), and those systems can misread complex layouts. A single column with clear headings is the safest choice, and it reads well on a screen as well as on paper.

Send a PDF unless the vacancy asks for another format. Name the file clearly, for example Firstname-Lastname-CV.pdf, so the recruiter can find it in their inbox.

Personal details

Put your full name, city, phone number and email address at the top. A full street address is not needed for most applications, so leave it out unless the vacancy asks for it. Add your LinkedIn profile or portfolio only when it is relevant to the job.

Leave these out:

• Date of birth. An employer does not need it to judge your application.
• Marital status, religion and similar personal facts.
• Your BSN (citizen service number). Never put it on a CV. An employer asks for it when your employment starts, not while you apply.
• Copies of your passport or ID. Send them only when an employer asks for them at a later stage.

If you need a work permit or residence permit, state your right to work in the Netherlands in one line near the top, for example: EU citizen, no work permit needed. Be exact, because the employer will check it.

Photo

A photo is optional. If you choose to add one, use a recent, neutral headshot in which you look approachable. A holiday photo or a selfie does not help. When you are unsure, leave the photo out. That is always a safe choice.

Profile

Start with three or four sentences that describe who you are professionally. Name your role, your years of experience and the one or two strengths that matter for this job. Avoid clichés such as hard-working team player with excellent communication skills, because they say nothing about you. Write a short profile for each application, and make it match the vacancy.

Work experience

For each job, give your job title, the employer, the city and the period in months and years. Put the most recent job first. Under each job, use three to five bullet points that start with an action verb: managed, reduced, trained, built, processed. Mention results where they are true and you can back them up, such as a lower error rate or a shorter lead time.

A gap in your history is not a problem when you explain it briefly. Study, illness, travel, care for family or a job abroad are all normal reasons. Write one line and move on.

Without much work experience, use the same structure for internships, volunteer work, part-time jobs and school projects. Recruiters look for evidence that you can work reliably, learn quickly and work with others.

Education and certificates

Dutch education has three main levels: MBO is vocational education, usually at level 2 to 4. HBO is the bachelor level at a university of applied sciences. WO is the research university level. Keep the name of your programme, the school and the year you graduated. Write the level in English, for example: Nursing (HBO bachelor).

List certificates that matter for the job, with the name of the issuing body and the year. Examples are a forklift certificate, the VCA safety certificate or a BIG registration in healthcare. Include only certificates that are still valid, or say when they expire.

Skills and languages

Keep the skills section short and specific: software you use, machines you operate, methods you know. Choose the skills that appear in the vacancy. A list of fifteen generic skills weakens your CV.

Name each language and your level. For an English-speaking reader, the CEFR scale from A1 to C2 is the clearest option. Some CVs use words such as basic, good, fluent or native speaker instead. Either system works, as long as the level is honest, because a language level can be tested in an interview. Your driving licence goes here too when the job requires one.

Interests

A hobby line is optional. Keep it to one line, and only add it when it says something about you, such as volunteering or team sports. A long list of interests does not help your application.

References

The phrase References available on request works well on a Dutch CV, and it is enough at this stage. Ask people before you name them as a referee, and tell them which job you are applying for. When the employer asks for references, they will need the contact details.

Europass or a Dutch-style CV?

Europass is a free European CV template, available online at europass.europa.eu. Use it when the vacancy asks for it. Otherwise, a clean CV in the style described in this guide is a sound choice.

The motivation letter

The Dutch motivatiebrief is a cover letter. Keep it to one page and address a named person when you can. Find the name on the vacancy or on the company website. A strong letter has three or four short paragraphs:

• Why you apply for this role at this company.
• What you bring, with two concrete examples from your work or study.
• Why the company interests you, based on something you actually know about it.
• A closing line, your name and your contact details.

Do not repeat your CV in the letter. Use the letter to explain the link between your experience and this job. If a vacancy asks for a motivation letter, always send one.

Privacy under the GDPR (AVG)

The GDPR, called AVG in the Netherlands, asks employers to collect only the information they need. As an applicant, you can use the same principle to decide what to share. Send only what the application asks for. Do not send copies of ID documents unless an employer asks for them at a specific point in the process.

Some employers want to keep your application for future vacancies. You may agree to that, but ask how long they keep it and how you can have your data deleted. If you change your mind later, you can ask for deletion.

Checklist before you send

• The CV is one or two pages, in PDF, with a clear file name.
• Contact details are correct, and the email address looks professional.
• Experience is in reverse chronological order, with months and years.
• Your right to work and your Dutch or English level are stated.
• There is no BSN, date of birth or marital status on the CV.
• The language matches the vacancy, and the spelling is checked.
• The motivation letter is addressed to the right person, and it is one page.