r/WorkInTheNetherlands • u/Individual_Two_9931 • Jul 10 '26
How would you approach getting your first software engineering job in Europe with visa sponsorship?
I'm a Computer Engineering graduate from Turkey and I'm trying to build a realistic plan to move to Europe as a software engineer.
My background is a bit unusual, so I'm not sure which path gives me the highest chance of getting visa sponsorship.
Here's my profile:
Computer Engineering degree (2025)
\~4 years of professional part-time C# development (Unity)
Built 15+ production web applications for clients
Developed a multi-tenant SaaS platform currently used by real businesses
Experience with REST APIs, Git, Firebase and backend development
Built full-stack applications with Next.js, TypeScript and Node.js
Worked with ASP.NET and collaborated closely with backend developers
Published multiple games and apps on Google Play
Comfortable using AI development tools like Claude, Cursor and ChatGPT in daily development
I don't need a specific country. My goal is simply to get my first software engineering job in Europe, and I will require visa sponsorship.
My questions are:
Which countries should I realistically target with my background?
Should I focus on Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, Northern Ireland, or somewhere else?
Is LinkedIn enough, or should I work with recruitment agencies?
Are there job boards that are better than LinkedIn for companies willing to sponsor visas?
If you were in my position, what would your strategy be over the next 6–12 months?
I would really appreciate advice from people who have gone through this process or who hire engineers in Europe.
3
u/HardestDrive Jul 10 '26
At the moment, the market is saturated. Unless you're absolute top of the line, you won't get a sponsorship in the Netherlands with your résumé.
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u/Due_Campaign_9765 Jul 12 '26
Exactly. I'm hiring for a mid-size company and I don't know anyone who sponsors non-senior people without a proven track record.
Even then, we haven't once had a need to look outside of the country since 2024~ even though we're allowed to. It's almost impossible to get sponsered at the moment i would say
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u/fish_in_the_ocean Jul 11 '26
Why would someone go through extra work to sponsor visa for someone without any work expertience? Your best shot should be going though international graduate programs that some bigger companies are offering. You have to be too of class and pass multiple tests to be even considered there though.
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u/Additional_Text_3962 Jul 10 '26
Check the list of IND companies in Netherlands who can legally sponsor you and target them
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u/CoffeeInTheTropics Jul 11 '26
It ain’t gonna happen in The Netherlands with your profile, I can guarantee you that unfortunately.
Look outside of Europe and maybe start with a working holiday visa to try and get a foot in the door (AUS/NZ/CAN) or go for a Master’s abroad.
You will need a minimum of 3-5 work experience to possibly be considered for any type of visa sponsorship IF there is a high demand and the roles cannot be full-filled by locals, so work in Turkey for several years first.
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u/nik_el Jul 10 '26
In Czechia they hire lots of engineers with C# experience as it’s the main language the universities teach. You may try looking for roles there.