Netherlands CV Format — CV Guide 🇳🇱

🇳🇱 Netherlands CV format

Direct, factual, two pages — and English is genuinely acceptable.

CalledCV

PhotoOptional

Length2 pages

Personal detailsDate of birth common; photo optional

Paper sizeA4

DatesMM/YYYY

ReferencesOn request

LanguageEnglish is widely accepted; Dutch preferred for local roles.

The Dutch CV is plain and direct, which matches the hiring culture.

Two pages, factual

No decoration, no lengthy personal statement. Dutch employers value directness and are unimpressed by self-promotion that outruns the evidence.

English is genuinely acceptable

More so than almost anywhere else in continental Europe. Many international companies in Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Eindhoven operate entirely in English, and a CV in English will not disadvantage you for those roles. Dutch is expected for public-sector and locally-oriented positions.

Photo and personal details

A photo is optional and roughly evenly split in practice. Date of birth is commonly included. Marital status and religion are not.

The 30% ruling

If you are being recruited from abroad, the Dutch 30% ruling — a tax advantage for incoming skilled workers — may apply. It is worth knowing about during salary discussions rather than something for the CV.

Diploma recognition

Foreign qualifications are often assessed by Nuffic. For regulated professions the assessment matters more than the CV.

Build a Netherlands CV

Opens with the photo off and the page size set to A4 — the settings this country expects. Change anything you like.

Start a Netherlands CV

Conventions as generally reported; verify against a current local source. Last updated 29 August 2026.