Summary: mandatory internship allowance an important step for all vocational students

The House of Representatives has approved a motion calling on the government to legally establish a mandatory, appropriate internship allowance for all levels of education. This motion, by Socialist Party MP Sandra Beckerman, was adopted with broad support on Tuesday, December 2, 2025. The core principle is clear: students who complete an internship as part of their program must receive appropriate compensation, regardless of whether they are studying in vocational education (MBO), higher professional education (HBO), or university education (WO).

Summa chair Annemarie Moons responded positively to the decision. "This is an important step for all vocational students in the Netherlands," says Moons. "Politicians are recognizing that internships are essential for learning a profession and that fair compensation is essential. For many students—and especially vocational students—such compensation makes a real difference in their finances."

The motion aligns with the 2023–2027 MBO Internship Pact, which stipulates that every MBO student is entitled to appropriate compensation for their internship. In practice, however, only a small percentage of MBO students actually receive compensation, and the amount varies widely.

Internships are a significant and mandatory component of virtually all vocational programs in secondary vocational education (MBO). Moons: "A legally enshrined internship allowance can lower the financial barrier and make programs more attractive in sectors with significant skilled labor shortages, such as technology, healthcare, logistics, and business services. This motion therefore not only affects the position of students but also the broader societal challenge we face in Brainport, namely having a sufficient number of well-trained professionals."

Formally, this is now a passed motion; the actual amendment will follow later. The government is developing the House of Representatives' mandate into concrete legislation, stipulating exactly how the obligation will apply and when. However, the direction is clear: an internship allowance will be explicitly presented as a right, not a favor.