Welcome International Staff
Welcome to Tilburg University! We are glad that you are considering taking the step to reinforce our international campus with your skills, knowledge, and experience. Working and living in the Netherlands is an exciting and wonderful adventure for many international colleagues. Tilburg University has various facilities to help you, your partner, and your family feel at home in the Netherlands.
Living and language
For a stay of over 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit unless you come from a country that belongs to the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area or Switzerland. Tilburg University has a special agreement with the Dutch immigration authorities. This means that we will guide you through every step of the process. So you yourself do not have to start up the immigration procedure. Find more information about permits in this publication of the Immigration and Naturalisation Service.
EURAXESS supports mobile researchers and their families in Europe. It provides information on vacancies, funding, immigration procedures, social security, family related issues and career support.
The University can help you find accommodation via P&D Care in Tilburg or in a city nearby. The housing market in the Netherlands is tight at the moment, so it is possible that the options may be limited. Please note that you are primarily responsible for finding accommodation.
Although many Dutch people speak English, you may want to learn Dutch anyway. Our Language Center offers courses ranging from ‘basic’ to ‘very advanced’. The Holland Expat Center South is a nonprofit governmental agency that supports companies and international employees in participating municipalities in Noord-Brabant and Limburg.
Your spouse
ESI (Expat Spouses Initiative) is a community that has built a trusted network of locals, internationals, and employers in the region to help partners of expats integrate into the Dutch labor market. ESI is based in Eindhoven. Spouses of employees who have moved to Tilburg from abroad can expect support in building a new network. There are several yearly events to attend. Tilburg International Club is a club for expats in Brabant.
Your children
Depending on your wishes and the age of your children, you can opt for a local, a bi-lingual, or international school. The Human Research department will be happy to give you information. Small kids will be welcome at Unikids, a daycare center next to the Tilburg University Sports Center. The language used is Dutch; communication with the parents is in English. If you meet the fiscal conditions, you may be able to recover part of the daycare costs as a tax refund.
What you need to know when you live in the Netherlands
A handy brochure for International staff full of useful information about life in the Netherlands:
Beginner’s Guide to Dutch Academia
Living in the Netherlands
There are many expats in the Netherlands. Some of them have written about their experiences: from riding a bike to making appointments and from public transport to the weather.