Living in the Netherlands While Working for an International Company
Over the past few years, a quiet revolution has taken place in the way people work. Across Europe, and particularly in the Netherlands, an increasing number of professionals are opting for a life rooted in one country while building their careers with companies based elsewhere in the world.
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It’s a modern story shaped by remote work, global teams, and the freedom to live where life feels better.
And right at the centre of this story is a unique solution that makes it all possible:
BlueStone is a Dutch employer that legally employs international talent on behalf of companies abroad.
Why the Netherlands Becomes “Home” for So Many Global Professionals
Imagine a country where cycling is a lifestyle, where work-life balance is a priority, and where internationals can find their place instantly. That country is the Netherlands.
Every year, thousands of highly skilled professionals move here because of:
High quality of life
Excellent education and healthcare
English-friendly society
A strong and innovative economy
Safety, openness, and international communities
But while the Netherlands quickly becomes “home,” their employer is often thousands of kilometres away, based in New York, Bangalore, London, Berlin, San Francisco, Singapore, or Dubai.
A Growing Trend: Live in the Netherlands, Work for a Global Company
More professionals than ever want to combine:
Living in the Netherlands
with
Working for an international employer
This is especially true for:
Software engineers working for US startups
Data analysts working for companies in India
Engineers supporting UK companies
Researchers collaborating with global teams
Consultants advising companies across Europe
IT and AI specialists working fully remote
However, this growing trend quickly encounters a legal challenge.
The Challenge: A Foreign Employer Cannot Hire You Directly in the Netherlands
Even if the international employer wants to keep the talent, they usually face several obstacles:
They don’t have a legal entity in the Netherlands
They are not an IND Recognised Sponsor
They cannot run Dutch payroll or pay Dutch taxes
They cannot sponsor a work permit
They are unfamiliar with Dutch labour law
They want to avoid legal and compliance risks
This creates a gap between where professionals want to live and where they are legally allowed to work.
That gap is exactly where the story of BlueStone begins.
BlueStone: The Dutch Employer That Connects Global Talent With Global Companies
Across the Netherlands, you’ll find thousands of international professionals whose lives follow the same pattern:
They live here.
They work for a company abroad.
And BlueStone makes it possible.
BlueStone steps in as the official Dutch employer, while the foreign company remains the day-to-day workplace. This model is fully compliant, safe, and widely used by global companies.
Here’s how it unfolds.
The Story of How It Works
An international company finds exceptional talent who wants to live in the Netherlands.
But they can’t hire directly due to Dutch legal restrictions.The company partners with BlueStone.
No Dutch entity. No bureaucracy. No IND sponsor status needed.BlueStone becomes the Dutch employer on paper.
They create a Dutch employment contract, handle payroll, and ensure compliance with all relevant legal requirements.The professional continues working for the international company.
Same projects, same team, just with Dutch employment protection.The employer receives a straightforward invoice each month.
BlueStone then pays the salary and handles all compliance.
This model protects both sides, creating the freedom to live and work globally.
A Story That Includes Every Type of International Talent
As this trend continues to grow, the Netherlands has become a home to a diverse range of skilled professionals.
BlueStone supports them all:
Highly Skilled Migrants (Kennismigranten)
BlueStone is an IND Recognised Sponsor and can employ professionals who meet the HSM salary criteria.
EU Blue Card Holders
BlueStone provides employment and ensures full compliance with EU Blue Card conditions.
Spouses and Partners of Highly Skilled Migrants
Spouses are free to work in the Netherlands, and BlueStone can employ them even if their actual job is with a foreign company.
Orientation Year Graduates (Zoekjaar)
Graduates from top global universities can start working immediately through BlueStone.
This flexibility means the Netherlands remains one of the easiest countries in Europe for international professionals to build a life.
Why This Story Is Growing Fast
Companies around the world increasingly rely on global talent.
At the same time, professionals want:
Freedom to choose where they live
Stability and legal compliance
Dutch social security and benefits
Access to the 30% ruling
A high-quality lifestyle
BlueStone sits at the intersection of these needs, enabling:
✔ Remote work
✔ Global hiring
✔ Dutch residency
✔ Full compliance
✔ Local payroll and employment rights
It’s the infrastructure behind a new generation of international careers.
And So, a New Lifestyle Emerges
Today, you’ll find people in the Netherlands who:
Cycle to a coworking space in Utrecht
Dial into a meeting with a San Francisco team
Submit a project for a London client
Receive their salary from BlueStone
Hold a Dutch residence permit
Enjoy a weekend at the beach in Zandvoort
They’re part of a new story, a story where work happens globally, but life happens locally.
The Future of Work Has Arrived
This is not a trend.
It’s the future.
Professionals can now choose the country that feels like home, without having to give up the job they love. And companies can hire the world’s best talent without needing to open a local entity. At the heart of this future stands BlueStone, making global employment simple, compliant, and human.
Want to Be Part of This Story?
Whether you're an international professional or a company looking to hire abroad, BlueStone can help bring your global ambitions to life.
Contact BlueStone to explore how you can live and work in the Netherlands for an international company legally, safely, and with full support.
