International and European Tax Law: General Programme

A master’s degree in International and European Tax Law gives you access to a world of career opportunities – in the Netherlands, in Europe, and beyond. You will graduate with a deep understanding of the taxation of cross-border transactions, the impact of international and European law on tax matters, and global tax policy – skills that are highly sought after by employers in both the public and private sectors, as well as in academia and international institutions. This will give you a very strong position in the job market.

Upon graduation, you will be a legal tax professional with a thorough knowledge of financial and business matters. You will be particularly well-suited to work at tax advisory firms, multinational enterprises, and international organisations. Moreover, the growing influence of international and European tax law in domestic settings ensures that you will excel within your national legal tax system.

Practically all our students find a job soon after they have graduated. On average, their salary levels are higher than those of students who have specialised in other fields of law. Unemployment is also significantly lower for tax law graduates.

Graduates of the programme have taken on roles such as:

• International Tax Consultant at top-tier advisory firms, helping clients navigate complex tax structures and comply with global regulations.
• In-House Tax Specialist at multinational enterprises, managing the tax implications of cross-border transactions and ensuring tax compliance.
• Policy Officer or Tax Manager at international institutions (OECD, European Commission, CIAT), contributing to global tax standards and tax administration.
• Tax Policy Adviser at ministries of finance, working on tax treaty negotiations, transfer pricing regulations, and the implementation of global tax standards.
• Tax Auditor or Inspector at national tax authorities, responsible for auditing multinational companies and ensuring proper tax enforcement.
• Academic Researcher or University Lecturer, specialising in international and European tax law and pursuing a PhD in this legal field.

Alumni at work

Graduates of the programme go on to build successful careers in a variety of sectors, from global advisory firms to international organisations and beyond. With a strong foundation in international tax treaties and European directives, combined with practical experience and skills gained through Problem-Based Learning (PBL), our alumni are well-equipped to excel in their chosen careers.

Qualify for legal professions (civiel effect)

While civiel effect is not a requirement for working as a tax advisor in the Netherlands, it does qualify you to practise traditional legal professions in the country, such as becoming an attorney or judge. If you have obtained a bachelor’s degree in Fiscaal Recht at Maastricht University, you will qualify for civiel effect upon graduating from the master’s programme. In that case, the master’s programme International and European Tax Law combines the best of both worlds: eligibility for NOB membership and qualification for civiel effect.

FIRST Maastricht

FIRST Maastricht is the study association for tax law students at the Maastricht University Faculty of Law and an excellent way to build your network. Bringing together our students from Fiscaal Recht and this programme, the association offers a wide range of activities, including monthly drinks, a study trip to Luxembourg, and an international job fair. These events provide valuable opportunities to connect with potential future employers, and many of our tax law students successfully launch their careers through FIRST Maastricht.

 More about FIRST