Services | English-Speaking Lawyer Netherlands | FindLawyer
Services

Dutch legal help, in plain English.

FindLawyer helps English-speaking expats and internationals in the Netherlands get matched with qualified Dutch lawyers — for immigration, employment and tenancy matters. Start with a free 15-minute consultation.

Book Free Consultation How it works
3
Practice areas: immigration, employment, tenancy
2
Business days to your matched law firm
100%
Refund if we can’t find a suitable match
Who we help

Made for internationals in the Netherlands.

The Dutch legal system is difficult to navigate even in Dutch. For English speakers, the challenge is compounded — unfamiliar terminology, documents in a language you don’t speak, and no easy way to know which lawyer you need or whether you need one at all.

FindLawyer focuses on three areas where expats and internationals most commonly need legal help: immigration, employment and tenancy. We also help you understand whether legal aid (gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand) may apply.

“We help you understand your situation first — then connect you with the right Dutch law firm.”

Service 01

Immigration Law

IND decisions and Dutch immigration procedures can move fast. Missing a deadline or misreading a letter can affect your permit or visa status. FindLawyer connects you with an English-speaking Dutch immigration lawyer quickly.

Get immigration help
IND letters & urgent deadlines Received an IND decision you don’t understand? Letters often contain response deadlines — don’t miss them.
Residence permit applications & renewals verblijfsvergunning First-time applications, renewals and status changes for all permit types.
Highly skilled migrant & work permits kennismigrant Issues with knowledge migrant status, employer changes, or work permit conditions.
Family reunification gezinshereniging Bringing a partner or family member to the Netherlands.
Naturalisation & Dutch citizenship Questions about the citizenship process, requirements, or Dutch passport applications.
Objections & appeals Contesting an IND refusal or lodging an urgent immigration appeal.
Service 02

Employment Law

Dutch employment law protects workers strongly — but understanding your rights as an expat, especially when documents arrive in Dutch, is a real challenge. We help you know where you stand before you sign or respond to anything.

Get employment help
Settlement agreement review vaststellingsovereenkomst You have 14 days to withdraw after signing a VSO. Don’t sign without understanding what you’re agreeing to.
Dismissal & redundancy Whether you’ve been let go or are facing a restructuring — understand your rights before agreeing to anything.
Employment contract questions Reviewing, disputing or negotiating the terms of a Dutch employment contract.
Severance & transition payment transitievergoeding Is the amount your employer is offering correct? Dutch law is specific on this.
Workplace disputes Conflicts with an employer, manager, or HR — and what to do about them under Dutch law.
ZZP / freelance status issues False self-employment, bogus ZZP classification, or disputes about your employment status.
Service 03

Tenancy Law

Dutch tenancy law gives renters strong protections — but disputes with landlords can be confusing when leases are in Dutch and you’re not sure of your rights. We help you understand your position and act on it.

Get tenancy help
Deposit not returned borgsom Landlord hasn’t returned your deposit? Check whether you have a claim using our Deposit Eligibility Checker →
Eviction threat or unlawful termination Dutch law protects tenants from unlawful eviction. Know your rights before you leave.
Rent increase dispute huurverhoging Not all rent increases are legal. Dispute an increase through the Rent Tribunal (Huurcommissie).
Maintenance failures & defects If your landlord refuses to fix serious defects, Dutch law gives you options.
Landlord harassment or dispute Unlawful entry, intimidation, or unreasonable interference with your tenancy.
Lease review & rental contract questions Reviewing the terms of a Dutch rental contract before or after signing.
Free Tool

Deposit not returned? Check your claim in minutes.

In the Netherlands, landlords are legally required to return your rental deposit (borgsom) within a reasonable period after your tenancy ends — typically 14 to 30 days. They can only deduct costs for damage beyond normal wear and tear (normale slijtage).

The FindLawyer Deposit Eligibility Checker helps English-speaking tenants in the Netherlands quickly understand whether they have grounds to claim their deposit back — for free, in a few minutes.

Check My Deposit Eligibility — Free

Common deposit situations we see

Deposit not returned at all Landlord has gone silent weeks after you moved out.
Unfair deductions Charged for normal wear and tear or damage you didn’t cause.
Inspection disagreement Landlord disputes the check-out report and refuses to refund.
Illegal lease situation You were subletting or had an informal arrangement — and landlord kept the deposit.
Start the Deposit Checker

Free to use · Takes under 5 minutes · No account required

The process

How FindLawyer works.

A simple, English-language process from first contact to introduction with a vetted Dutch law firm.

Free consultation

Tell us what happened, what deadline you’re facing, and what documents you have. In English, no charge.

Understand your options

We explain your practical next steps — including legal aid — and whether our paid Lawyer Matching Service makes sense.

We prepare your match

We prepare your case brief, collect key documents, and check pricing and availability with suitable partner law firms.

Meet your law firm

Within 2 business days of payment, we introduce you to a matched Dutch law firm. You take it from there.

FAQ

Common questions.

Can I find an English-speaking lawyer in the Netherlands?
Yes. FindLawyer matches English-speaking expats and internationals in the Netherlands with Dutch lawyers who work in English. We cover immigration, employment and tenancy law. The process starts with a free 15-minute consultation so you can explain your situation without paying for a lawyer first.
Can I get my rental deposit back in the Netherlands?
In the Netherlands, your landlord is legally required to return your deposit (borgsom) within a reasonable period — typically 14 to 30 days after the tenancy ends. They may only deduct costs for damage beyond normal wear and tear (normale slijtage). If your landlord hasn’t returned the deposit or has made unfair deductions, you may have a claim. Use the FindLawyer Deposit Eligibility Checker to find out.
What should I do if I receive an IND letter I don’t understand?
IND letters often contain deadlines. Missing them can seriously affect your residence permit or visa status. If you receive an IND letter you don’t understand, contact FindLawyer. We can help you get matched with a Dutch immigration lawyer who works in English — quickly.
My employer gave me a settlement agreement. What should I do?
In the Netherlands, you have a legal reflection period of 14 days after signing a settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst) in which you can withdraw your signature without reason. Before signing, have a Dutch employment lawyer check whether the severance amount (transitievergoeding) and other terms are fair. FindLawyer can match you with one quickly.
Do I qualify for legal aid in the Netherlands as an expat?
Legal aid (gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand) in the Netherlands is means-tested and is available to Dutch residents — including expats — if income and assets fall below the thresholds set by the Legal Aid Board (Raad voor Rechtsbijstand). Use the FindLawyer Legal Aid Checker to see whether you may qualify.
Is FindLawyer a law firm?
No. FindLawyer is not a law firm and does not employ lawyers. FindLawyer is a legal matching and intake service — we help you understand your situation, prepare your case brief, and introduce you to a suitable vetted Dutch law firm. All legal advice is provided independently by that law firm after the introduction.
What if my issue falls outside immigration, employment or tenancy?
Contact us anyway. FindLawyer’s main focus is on these three areas, but if we can help through our network, we will tell you. If not, we’ll be upfront about it. We’d rather give you an honest answer than match you with the wrong kind of lawyer.

Page summary

Page topic
FindLawyer services for English-speaking people with Dutch legal issues in the Netherlands.
URL
https://findlawyer.nl/services/
Practice areas
Immigration law, employment law, tenancy law, and legal aid (gesubsidieerde rechtsbijstand).
Additional tool
Rental deposit eligibility checker at findlawyer.nl/deposit — for tenants whose landlord has not returned their deposit.
Audience
English-speaking expats, internationals, highly skilled migrants (kennismigranten), international students and freelancers in the Netherlands.
Service model
Free 15-minute consultation, then optional paid Lawyer Matching Service. Introduction to a vetted partner law firm within 2 business days of payment. Full refund if no match is found.
Language
English. FindLawyer operates in English and matches clients with Dutch lawyers who work in English.
Country
Netherlands (Dutch legal system, IND, Huurcommissie, Raad voor Rechtsbijstand).

Get started

Ready to talk about your legal issue?

Start with a free 15-minute consultation in English. No commitment.

Book My Free Consultation Check Deposit Eligibility

Checking legal aid? Try the Legal Aid Checker →