Internship Learning Agreement Template for the Netherlands

An Internship Learning Agreement is a legally required document in the Netherlands that establishes the formal relationship between you as a student, your educational institution, and the host organization where you'll complete your internship. This three-party contract ensures your internship maintains its educational purpose while complying with Dutch education and labor laws, protecting your rights and clarifying expectations for all involved parties.

When do you need this document?

You need an Internship Learning Agreement whenever you're undertaking an internship as part of your educational program in the Netherlands. This applies to internships at universities, universities of applied sciences, and vocational schools. The agreement is mandatory for both paid and unpaid internships, whether they're part of your bachelor's, master's, or professional education program. You'll also need this document if you're an international student doing an internship in the Netherlands, or if you're a Dutch student doing an internship abroad as part of your Dutch educational program. The agreement must be signed before your internship begins and is often required for academic credit recognition.

Key legal considerations

The agreement must clearly establish that your internship is educational rather than employment-based, which affects your rights under Dutch labor law. Key clauses should define your learning objectives, specify supervision arrangements from both your educational institution and host organization, and outline evaluation methods for academic assessment. The document should address working hours compliance with the Working Hours Act, ensuring you don't exceed maximum weekly limits. Safety and working conditions must meet standards under the Working Conditions Act, even though you're not technically an employee. If you receive compensation, the agreement should clarify this is an allowance rather than wages, helping maintain the internship's educational status rather than triggering employment law obligations.

Legal requirements in Netherlands

Under the Dutch Higher Education and Research Act (WHW), your educational institution must ensure internships contribute to your learning outcomes and are properly supervised. The agreement must include specific learning objectives aligned with your educational program, clear supervision structures, and assessment criteria. Your host organization must provide adequate supervision and ensure your work contributes to your educational goals rather than simply filling staffing needs. The document should specify the internship duration, which typically cannot exceed certain limits depending on your program level. Your educational institution retains responsibility for monitoring the internship quality and ensuring it meets academic standards. The agreement must also address liability and insurance coverage, as standard employment protections may not automatically apply to your internship relationship.