Are part-time jobs limited to 20 hours per week for students in Netherlands/Sweden?
No, the 20-hour cap does not apply in either country. EU/EEA students in the Netherlands and Sweden face no work restrictions at all. Non-EU students are limited to 16 hours weekly in the Netherlands, or full-time in June, July, and August, and to 15 hours weekly in Sweden.
If you assumed a flat 20-hour weekly cap applies to student work in the Netherlands or Sweden, you should recalibrate, since neither country uses that exact number for non-EU students. Your actual limit depends on whether you hold EU/EEA citizenship or a non-EU study permit. Getting this right matters because working beyond your legal cap can jeopardise your residence status.
Weekly Work Hour Limits by Country
| Country | EU/EEA Students | Non-EU Students (Term-Time) | Non-EU Students (Summer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands | Unlimited | Max 16 hours/week (requires TWV permit) | Full-time permitted |
| Sweden | Unlimited | Max 15 hours/week | Full-time permitted |
Extra Details Worth Knowing
In the Netherlands, if you are a non-EU student, your employer must also secure a work permit called a tewerkstellingsvergunning on your behalf, while EU/EEA and Swiss students have the exact same labour rights as Dutch citizens with no special permit needed. In Sweden, the 15-hour restriction for non-EU students does not apply during June, July, and August, when you can work unlimited hours, and certain university-affiliated work such as student representation, traineeships, or research and administrative roles tied to your university are exempt from the cap altogether.
My Advice
Confirm your exact citizenship-based category before you accept any job offer, since the Netherlands and Sweden apply different non-EU hour caps, and working beyond either limit puts your student status at risk.
How much can you actually earn part-time in Netherlands?
See how part-time work fits into your total budget and visa funds.
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