Kenya and the Netherlands maintain an excellent relationship, and the first state visit of the Dutch royal couple taking place in March 2025 is proof to that. There are more than 300,000 Kenyans in the Netherlands, and for many the country has become their second home. In this article, we talk about life in the Netherlands for the Kenyan community and share some practical tips on how to make it easier.
Working in the Netherlands
Kenyans in the Netherlands can take advantage of the country’s robust job market. After a period of stagnation, the economic growth picked up in 2024 to 0.8% and is projected to increase twice as much in 2025. The business sector includes many global companies of Dutch origin such as Philips, Unilever, and Shell. Unsurprisingly, the number of vacancies is high as is the need for expat workforce. Among the Kenyan diaspora in the Netherlands many start in unskilled positions like those in the service industry while others find employment relevant to their expertise such as in IT, energy, and healthcare sectors among others.
Professions in high demand include service workers, electricians and electrical engineers, plumbers, carpenters, farm workers, nurses, IT specialists, and so on. Expats, including Kenyans, in the Netherlands are allowed to be employed by companies registered as recognised sponsors. Depending on the type of work they also must meet certain requirements like income thresholds. For instance, highly skilled workers in 2025 must earn the minimum salary as presented in the table below.
Highly skilled migrant salary thresholds in 2025
| Category | Minimum Salary (€) |
|---|---|
| 30 years old and older | 5,688 |
| Under 30 years old | 4,171 |
| Blue Card holder | 5,688 |
Expats engaged in specific occupations and earning a certain salary are also eligible to a so-called 30% tax credit scheme under which 30% of their income is exempt from taxation. This makes life in the Netherlands much more appealing for migrant workers from Kenya, especially those who need to support their families back home. This programme, however, is being gradually scaled back by the Dutch government.
Visas and permits
Kenyans need a Schengen visa to enter the Netherlands. One must get a visa while still in Kenya, applying to the embassy of the Netherlands there (check out our exhaustive guide on Schengen visa applications for Kenyans). If a person intends to work, then a temporary work permit is also required.
If the duration of stay is more than 90 days, then a residence permit is needed and/or a work permit for those planning to work in the Netherlands. Moreover, to ensure expats are familiar with the culture and life in the Netherlands, they must pass the Civic Integration Exam Abroad before applying for a residence permit. Nevertheless, certain categories of foreigners, including Kenyans entering the Netherlands temporarily, are exempt:
- Students and trainees
- Employees and self-employed persons
- Seasonal workers
- Blue Card holders and other highly skilled migrants
Kenyans staying in the Netherlands must register with a Non-residents Records Database desk at their local municipality. If the duration of stay is more than four months, one is required to apply for a citizen service number (burgerservicenummer, BSN) and a DigiD account. This enables access to essential services such as healthcare, taxation, or banking. Those members of the Kenyan community who have resided in the Netherlands for over 5 years might apply for permanent residence if they meet specific criteria.
Useful information
In Kenya, the Embassy of the Netherlands is situated at the following address: Block B, Keystone Park, 95 Riverside Drive Nairobi. It provides a number of consular services including:
- Travel documents
- Visas
- Certificates of residence or travelling to the Netherlands, and so on.
Kenya Embassy in the Netherlands
The embassy is a bridge to the home country which serves the Kenyan community in a number of ways. The most popular would be its consular services which are aimed at facilitating the life of the Kenyan diaspora in the Netherlands. These include but are not limited to:
- Passport (re)issue, name change, or emergency travel documents issue
- Certificates of death, birth, good conduct, no impediment to marriage (fees of €10-20 apply)
- Kenyan and Dutch document legalisation (fees of €20-50 apply)
The Kenyan embassy in the Netherlands is located at 21 Nieuwe Parklaan, 2597 LA Den in The Hague.
Community
Any member of the Kenyan community can officially register with the Kenyan embassy in the Netherlands as an expat.
Kenya Diaspora Association Netherlands (KDAN) provides valuable support to members of the Kenyan community related to immigration, welfare, business opportunities, and culture and life in the Netherlands in general.
For informal communication, a Facebook group “Kenyans in the Netherlands” boasts nearly 17,000 members and is full of useful tips and informative discussions.
There is also a vibrant Kenyan diaspora in neighbouring Germany, and we talk about it in detail in our complete guide here.
Starting a new life in another country is exciting; it is also a great opportunity to support the family back home – and Profee, an online money transfer service, makes it very easy to do. Profee lets Kenyans in the Netherlands send money gifts to their loved ones with no fees and at top exchange rates to Kenyan shillings. And a generous referral programme helps the Kenyan community to save and earn money together.
