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Researchers from outside the EEA

This dashboard presents data on researchers from outside the European Economic Area who work in the Netherlands as PhD candidates, paid researchers, or unpaid researchers with a grant. In 2025, there were 15,200 researchers from outside the EEA in the Netherlands. China was the most common country of origin, followed by India, Iran, Türkiye, and the United States. 80% of these researchers worked at a research university, with TU Delft employing the largest number.

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Summary

  • In 2025, 15,200 researchers from outside the EEA held a researcher residence permit (Directive (EU) 2016/801) in the Netherlands. This marks a slight decline from 15,830 researchers in 2023 and 15,660 researchers in 2024, following an earlier increase from 15,400 in 2022. As such, the number has returned to a level similar to 2022.
  • In 2025, China continues to stand out as the most common country of origin, with 4,920 researchers. India, Iran, Türkiye, and the United States completed the top five, a ranking that has remained unchanged since 2022.
  • In 2025, 80% of non-EEA researchers worked at research universities, while 13% worked at university medical centers and 0.4% at universities of applied sciences.
  • In 2025, TU Delft employed the largest number of non EEA researchers (2,110), followed by TU Eindhoven and the University of Groningen. All four technical universities ranked in the top 10 and together accounted for 36% of non EEA researchers.

For further information, please send an e-mail to analytics@nuffic.nl.

Report on the international mobility of researchers

To read more about the international mobility of researchers, you can consult this study, compiled by experts from the EURAXESS network. EURAXESS is a network initiated by the European Commission to enhance the mobility of researchers, for instance by offering researchers and employers relevant information on financing opportunities, career development and immigration regulations. The study examines the lived experience with the implementation of immigration regulation, EU directive 2018/601 immigration.


For further information on the number of scientific personnel (EEA and non-EEA) working in the Netherlands, see the dashboard of the Rathenau Institute.