The Netherlands is looking for over 100 skilled South African healthcare professionals, which is a lifeline for those struggling to find employment in South Africa.

This is according to Beaver Recruitment SA, which specialises in sourcing and placing skilled healthcare professionals, engineers, and tech workers in the Netherlands.

In 2025, South Africa’s Department of Health faced significant budget constraints, resulting in a crisis among newly qualified doctors. 

At the beginning of the year, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi acknowledged that the government lacked the financial resources to employ many of these professionals, despite the country’s pressing healthcare needs. 

It was reported that out of approximately 1,800 doctors who completed their community service, only 800 were initially offered positions in the public sector.

The situation escalated further when Minister Motsoaledi received criticism for suggesting that these doctors explore opportunities in the private sector or abroad.

The minister said that completing community service does not guarantee employment within public service, a stance that sparked criticism from the South African Medical Association (SAMA). 

The association argued that this lack of job placements for doctors worsens the country’s low doctor-to-patient ratio and weakens the overall healthcare system.

In response to the mounting pressure, the government then announced a plan to recruit 1,200 doctors, 200 nurses, and 250 other healthcare professionals at a cost of R1.78 billion.

Additionally, the Department of Health allocated R1.3 billion to procure essential hospital equipment, including beds, mattresses, and linen, to enhance the quality of care in public health facilities.

While some welcomed this plan, it also faced criticism for not adequately addressing the broader issues within the healthcare system, such as the shortage of nurses and the need for comprehensive policy reforms. 

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA) expressed disappointment over the limited number of nursing positions, highlighting the ongoing challenges the nursing workforce faces.

The Netherlands is taking advantage 

The shortage of healthcare professionals is a global issue, and the Netherlands isn’t hesitating to tap South Africa’s skilled but unemployed professionals.

According to Beaver Recruitment SA, over 100 medical vacancies are urgently needed in the Dutch healthcare system.

Managing Director of Beaver Recruitment SA, Nicholas Avramis, told BusinessTech that this demand stems from a critical shortage of skilled workers in the Netherlands. 

“Over 40,000 healthcare positions are currently unfilled, and more than 266,000 vacancies are expected by 2035,” he said. 

The Netherlands offers world-class healthcare facilities, competitive salaries, and a fantastic work-life balance, and South Africans are well-positioned to fill these roles.

Avramis said that the Dutch healthcare system requires foreign professionals to enlist with the BIG register, which is a legal requirement for practising regulated healthcare professions in the Netherlands. 

Avramis added that Afrikaans speakers have a distinct advantage due to their linguistic similarities with Dutch, making meeting the required B1-level language proficiency easier.

“The BIG register strongly emphasises Dutch language skills, and Afrikaans speakers often find the process more manageable than other foreign candidates,” said Avramis.

The recruitment drive is focused on a wide range of healthcare roles, including nurses, midwives, gynaecologists, maternity nurses, sonographers, and mental health nurses.

With over 41,000 South Africans already working in the Netherlands, cultural familiarity makes the transition process smoother for healthcare professionals.

“Qualified candidates can expect salaries ranging from €35,000 to €50,000 a year, or roughly R700,000 to R1 million,” said Avramis.

“There’s also a strong focus on career progression, structured relocation support, and cultural integration.”

He added that many South African healthcare workers are actively seeking stability, better career prospects, and an improved quality of life, which the Netherlands is well-placed to meet. 

“Our team is committed to guiding healthcare professionals through every step of the process—from job placement and visa applications to language training and settling into a new life abroad,” he added. 
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Originally published BusinessTech