How to Hire Romanian Construction Workers in the Netherlands: A Practical Guide

Posted by

Michael

July 8, 2026

On March 20, 2026

The Netherlands Construction Boom and the Romanian Workforce

The Netherlands is in the middle of one of the largest construction programmes in its history. With hundreds of thousands of new homes needed, major infrastructure projects underway, and a chronic shortage of Dutch tradespeople, Dutch contractors are increasingly dependent on skilled labour from Romania and other EU countries.

Romanian construction workers have become a cornerstone of the Dutch construction sector — on residential builds, commercial projects, infrastructure works, and renovation schemes across Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and beyond.

At European Workers Solutions, we connect Dutch construction companies with pre-vetted Romanian workers efficiently and in full compliance with Dutch labour law.

Legal Requirements for Hiring Romanian Workers in the Netherlands

As EU citizens, Romanian workers have the right to work in the Netherlands without a work permit. However, Dutch labour law includes several obligations for employers and posting companies that must be followed carefully.

WagwEU (Wet arbeidsvoorwaarden gedetacheerde werknemers in de EU)

The Dutch worker Act (WagwEU) implements the EU EU labour law framework applicable. Under WagwEU, Romanian workers posted to the Netherlands must receive Dutch terms and conditions of employment, including the applicable CAO (collective labour agreement) rates, holiday entitlements, and working time rules. The relevant CAO for construction is the CAO voor de Bouwnijverheid.

Notification via the PWRI Portal

All foreign employers placing workers to the Netherlands must register the posting in advance using the online notification portal managed by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate (Nederlandse Arbeidsinspectie). This notification must include details of the employer, the workers, the project location, and the expected duration.

Minimum Wage and CAO Compliance

The Dutch statutory minimum wage (WML) applies to all workers regardless of nationality. In construction, the CAO voor de Bouwnijverheid sets rates above the statutory minimum. As of 2024, the CAO minimum for a general construction worker starts at approximately €16–€18/hour depending on experience level. European Workers Solutions ensures all placements are CAO-compliant.

Registration Requirements

Romanian workers staying in the Netherlands for more than 4 months are required to register with the local municipality (gemeente) and obtain a BSN (Burgerservicenummer — citizen service number), which is needed for tax and payroll processing.

Available Trades for Dutch Construction Projects

Through our trades directory, Dutch contractors can access Romanian workers across the full spectrum of construction trades:

Scaffolding — certified scaffolders for mid- and high-rise residential projects
Concrete and formwork — experienced in Dutch construction methods
Bricklaying and block work
Insulation — cavity wall, external wall insulation (spouwmuurisolatie), and flat roof
Drywall (systeembouw) and plastering
Tiling and flooring
Roofing — including flat roof systems common in the Netherlands
Painting and decorating
Mechanical and electrical — for fit-out packages

See our dedicated Romanian workers for the Netherlands page for profiles and current availability.

The Recruitment Process: From Brief to Boots on Site

We’ve refined our process to move quickly without cutting corners on compliance or quality.

Initial Brief (Day 1)

We collect your project details: location in the Netherlands, start date, number of workers by trade, duration, CAO level required, and any specific certifications (e.g., VCA, BHV, lifting licence).

Candidate Selection (Day 2–7)

Our recruitment team in Romania identifies suitable candidates from our active pool. All candidates are pre-screened for trade skills, previous experience in the Netherlands or Western Europe, language ability, and VCA certification where required.

Approval and Contracting (Day 7–14)

You review candidate profiles and approve your selection. We prepare compliant employment or service agreements, process WagwEU notifications, and arrange Employment documentation is handled by our team. We coordinate transport and can assist with accommodation arrangements. Workers arrive with all documents in order — , notification confirmation, CAO briefing.

VCA Certification: What You Need to Know

VCA (Veiligheid, gezondheid en milieu Checklist Aannemers) certification is a standard requirement on most Dutch construction sites. European Workers Solutions can arrange VCA-B (basic) certification for workers before mobilisation, and we maintain a pool of VCA-certified workers for urgent requirements. For supervisory roles, VCA-VOL certification is available.

Accommodation in the Netherlands

Finding affordable accommodation in the Netherlands — particularly in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht — is one of the biggest practical challenges when hiring Romanian workers. We work with a network of approved accommodation providers who offer compliant housing (meeting the SNF standards for accommodation quality) for worker. Accommodation can typically be arranged near the project site at a fixed weekly rate per person.

Cost Comparison: Romanian vs. Local Dutch Labour

Romanian construction workers offer Dutch contractors a significant cost advantage while maintaining high quality standards. Typical all-in rates (including employer costs, agency fee, and any applicable CAO levies) for Romanian workers are:

General labourer: €18–€22/hour all-in
Skilled tradesperson (bricklayer, tiler, scaffolder): €22–€28/hour all-in
Specialist (electrician, plumber, concrete specialist): €26–€34/hour all-in

Compared to equivalent Dutch or Belgian labour, this typically represents a saving of 25–40% on direct labour costs, while remaining fully compliant with CAO requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do Romanian workers need a Dutch work permit?

No. Romanian citizens are EU nationals and have the right to work in the Netherlands without a work permit or visa. WagwEU notification is required for worker, but this is an employer obligation, not a worker authorisation.

How quickly can you provide workers for a project in the Netherlands?

Standard mobilisation is 2–3 weeks. For urgent requirements where we have available candidates, we can sometimes mobilise within 7–10 days.

Is VCA mandatory for all workers?

VCA-B is required on most larger Dutch construction sites. For smaller residential projects, it may not be mandatory, but we recommend it. We can arrange VCA-B certification in Romania before mobilisation for an additional fee.

Can Romanian workers bring their own team or foreman?

Yes. We can supply complete teams including a Romanian-speaking foreman who also communicates in Dutch or English. This is often the most efficient model for larger packages.

What if a worker needs to leave mid-project?

Our standard agreements include a replacement provision. If a worker leaves before project completion, we will provide a replacement within 7–14 days at no additional recruitment cost.

Start Hiring Romanian Construction Workers for Your Dutch Projects Today

European Workers Solutions has been supplying Romanian construction workers to the Netherlands since 2018. Our local knowledge, compliance expertise, and established recruitment network in Romania mean you get the right workers, fast, with zero legal headaches.

Contact us today for a no-obligation quote, or learn more about our full recruitment services. You can also explore our Netherlands-specific page for more detail on available trades and typical project profiles.

+40 732 338 955

Recruit now!

Hiring Romanian Workers – Guides & Insights