Unpaid Internship Agreement Template for the Netherlands

An Unpaid Internship Agreement is a crucial legal document that establishes the terms and conditions for educational internship arrangements in the Netherlands. This agreement creates a formal relationship between host organizations, interns, and educational institutions while ensuring compliance with Dutch labor laws and maintaining the educational character required for unpaid positions.

When do you need this document?

You need this agreement whenever your organization offers unpaid internship positions to students as part of their academic or vocational training programs. This includes situations where universities or vocational schools require students to complete mandatory internships for course credit, when offering summer internship programs for educational purposes, or when providing work experience opportunities that are integrated with formal study curricula. The agreement is essential for tech companies offering coding bootcamp internships, law firms providing legal clinic experiences, hospitals offering medical student rotations, or any business wanting to host students for educational purposes. Without this document, you risk misclassifying the relationship as employment, which could result in minimum wage obligations and other legal complications under Dutch law.

Key legal considerations

Several critical legal elements must be addressed in your unpaid internship agreement to ensure compliance and protection for all parties. The educational purpose clause is fundamental—you must clearly demonstrate that the internship serves the intern's educational goals rather than replacing regular employees or providing free labor. Supervision arrangements require detailed specification, including both workplace supervision from your organization and academic oversight from the educational institution. Working conditions must comply with the Working Conditions Act, ensuring proper workplace safety and health standards. You must also address confidentiality obligations, intellectual property ownership, termination procedures, and liability limitations. The agreement should specify that no employment relationship exists and clarify that standard employee benefits do not apply. Additionally, include provisions for evaluation processes, learning outcome assessments, and documentation requirements for academic credit.

Legal requirements in Netherlands

Netherlands law imposes specific requirements for unpaid internships that must be reflected in your agreement. Under the Dutch Civil Code, the internship must have genuine educational value and be integrated with the intern's formal study program. The Working Hours Act applies to interns, limiting working hours and requiring adequate rest periods—typically maximum 40 hours per week with mandatory breaks. The Working Conditions Act requires you to provide safe working environments and proper training for any equipment or procedures. The Equal Treatment Act ensures non-discriminatory practices throughout the internship process. Importantly, the Minimum Wage Act allows unpaid internships only when they meet strict educational criteria and do not replace regular employment positions. Your agreement must demonstrate compliance with the Higher Education and Research Act if working with university students, ensuring proper academic supervision and credit arrangements. Additionally, you must maintain proper documentation for labor inspections and ensure the intern's educational institution formally approves the internship arrangement as part of their curriculum.