If you thrive in fast-paced, dynamic environments—where your ideas can shape a product, your code can ship on day one, and your voice truly matters—startup Internships in the Netherlands for 2026–2027 offer an unmatched opportunity to grow as a builder, innovator, and future founder.
The Netherlands is Home to one of Europe’s most vibrant startup scenes, with over 8,000+ startups spanning fintech, health tech, climate tech, AI, e-commerce, and mobility. From Amsterdam’s “Silicon Canals” to Eindhoven’s deep-tech hub and Rotterdam’s port-driven logistics innovation, Dutch startups blend global ambition with collaborative, human-centered culture—and they’re actively seeking international talent.
Best of all? Most Internships are in English, open to non-EU students, and often come with stipends, mentorship, and real ownership.
🔹 Why Choose a Startup Internship in the Netherlands?
✅ Real impact: You won’t fetch coffee—you’ll build features, run campaigns, analyze growth, or design UX
✅ Fast learning: Wear multiple hats and gain cross-functional experience (product, marketing, engineering, ops)
✅ Global exposure: Many Dutch startups serve international markets from day one
✅ English-friendly: No Dutch required—over 95% of startups operate entirely in English
✅ Visa support: Non-EU students can apply via the Dutch internship visa or Orientation Year permit
✅ Pathway to co-founding: Some interns even join founding teams or launch spin-offs!
💡 Top Sectors Hiring Interns (2026–2027)
| Sector | Example Startups | Common Intern Roles |
|---|---|---|
| Fintech | Mollie, bunq, Tesseract | Data Analyst, Growth Marketing, Backend Developer |
| Climate & Food Tech | Too Good To Go, Picnic, Perpetual | Sustainability Research, Supply Chain Ops, Product Design |
| Health Tech | Happi, Aidence, Healinx | AI/ML Intern, Clinical Data Analyst, UX Researcher |
| AI & SaaS | Collibra, Peak.ai, Forethought | Machine Learning Engineer, Customer Success, DevOps |
| Mobility & Logistics | Felyx, Sendcloud, Veho | Operations Coordinator, GIS Analyst, Full-Stack Developer |
Many of these startups have raised Series A+ funding and are scaling rapidly—meaning your work directly supports real business growth.
💰 What’s Typically Offered
While not all startups pay high salaries, most offer fair compensation and rich learning:
✅ Stipend: €700 – €1,500/month (depending on role and funding stage)
✅ Housing assistance: Help finding rooms or €300–€500 housing allowance
✅ Flexible work: Hybrid or remote options common
✅ Mentorship: Direct access to founders and senior team members
✅ Equity (rare but possible): In early-stage startups for exceptional contributors
✅ Visa sponsorship: For non-EU students (via formal internship agreement)
🌍 Note: Early-stage startups (<10 people) may offer lower stipends but greater responsibility. Scale-ups (50+ employees) often match corporate benefits.
✅ Who Should Apply?
- Currently enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program (any field—tech, business, design, social sciences)
- Self-motivated, adaptable, and comfortable with ambiguity
- Basic skills in your area (e.g., Python for dev roles, Figma for design, Excel/SQL for analytics)
- Passion for innovation, sustainability, or solving real-world problems
- Available for 3–6 months between June 2026 – January 2027
Recent graduates (within 12 months) can also apply under the “Orientation Year for Graduates” visa.
📌 How to Find & Apply
1. Use Specialized Job Boards
- DutchStartupJobs.com → Filter by “Internship” + “2026”
- AngelList (Wellfound) → Search “Netherlands” + “Intern”
- LinkedIn Jobs → Keywords: “Startup Intern Netherlands 2026”
2. Prepare Your Application
- CV: 1 page, highlight projects, side hustles, or relevant coursework
- Cover letter: Show you’ve researched the startup—mention their mission or product
- Portfolio/GitHub: Essential for tech, design, or data roles
3. Apply Early
- Most startups post roles September 2025 – February 2026
- Summer Internships fill by March–April 2026
4. Interview Process
- Usually 2 rounds:
- Founder/team call (culture fit)
- Practical task (e.g., draft a marketing plan, debug code, analyze a dataset)
💡 Pro Tip: Follow startups on LinkedIn or Twitter. Commenting thoughtfully on their posts can get you noticed!
⏳ Key Timeline (2026 Intake)
| Action | When |
|---|---|
| Research startups | July – September 2025 |
| Applications open | September 2025 |
| Peak application period | October 2025 – January 2026 |
| Interviews & offers | November 2025 – March 2026 |
| Internship start | June – August 2026 |
🌷 Why the Netherlands?
- #1 in Europe for English proficiency → easy integration
- Bike-friendly, safe, and compact cities → affordable, high quality of life
- Strong support for entrepreneurs: Government grants, incubators (e.g., Rockstart, ACE), and tax incentives
- Gateway to Europe: Travel to Berlin, Paris, or Brussels in under 3 hours
Plus, Dutch work culture values autonomy, direct communication, and work-life balance—no 80-hour grind culture here.
🔗 Helpful Resources
- Visa Info: IND.nl – Internship Residence Permit
- Full Guide: Startup Internships in the Netherlands 2026 – Scholarships365.xyz
- Incubators to Watch:
- Rockstart (Amsterdam)
- YES!Delft (Tech & Deep Tech)
- ACE Venture Lab (Eindhoven)
Don’t just join a company—help build one.
In the Netherlands’ startup ecosystem, your curiosity, hustle, and fresh perspective are your greatest assets.
👉 Start exploring today—your future co-founder might be waiting.
📚 Need help? Visit Scholarships365.xyz for CV templates, cold-email scripts, and startup pitch deck tips!
