What to Do When Dutch Is Required but You Do Not Speak Dutch
You find a role that seems almost perfect.
The responsibilities match.
The experience fits.
The company interests you.
Then you see:
Dutch required.
For many international professionals, this becomes one of the most frustrating parts of the job search.
The question is:
Should you still apply?
The answer depends on context.
Understand why Dutch is required
Sometimes Dutch is genuinely essential.
The role may involve Dutch clients.
Government institutions.
Local legislation.
Healthcare.
Education.
Internal stakeholders who operate primarily in Dutch.
In those situations, language is part of the job itself.
In other cases, Dutch may be preferred rather than essential.
The vacancy may simply reflect the profile of the previous employee or the company's usual hiring pattern.
Your task is to understand the reason.
Look at the work, not only the requirement
Ask yourself:
Who will I communicate with?
What language does the team operate in?
Who are the customers?
Is the organisation international?
Does the role serve the Dutch market specifically?
Are similar vacancies within the company written in English?
This context tells you far more than one sentence in the job description.
Do not hide your level
If you are learning Dutch, say so clearly.
Avoid exaggerating.
Language skills become obvious very quickly.
Instead, demonstrate commitment.
If you are at A2 and actively progressing towards B1, that communicates something different from simply writing:
“Basic Dutch.”
Decide strategically
If almost every role in your target market requires Dutch, the market is giving you useful information.
You may decide to invest more seriously in the language.
Or focus on more internationally oriented employers.
Or explore adjacent functions where English is more common.
There is no universal answer.
There is only the answer that makes sense for your target market.
A language requirement is not simply an obstacle.
It is information.
Use it.
