Employee Insurance Agency of the Netherlands (UWV)

If you work in the Netherlands, you may come into contact with the UWV, for instance if you face a dismissal or cannot work due to health issues and need to have your capabilities assessed.

What is the UWV?

The UWV or Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen is the Employee Insurance Agency in the Netherlands. They are an independent administrative authority commissioned by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment (SZW).

You may come into contact with the UWV if you:

• Become unemployed and wish to apply unemployment benefits
• Are looking for employment
• Receive notice that your employer wants to terminate your employment contract, in which case it is advisable to get legal help
• Become sick and need to be assessed

What is the UWV responsible for?

The UWV is responsible for implementing employee insurance schemes, such as unemployment insurance, and the Sickness Benefits Act, among others.

This means it is primarily responsible for providing benefits to people who are looking for work or are unable to work. 

Which areas do the UWV offer assistance in?

The UWV offers assistance in many areas, from finding a job in the Netherlands, to maternity leave and losing your job.

Employment and unemployment

If you are dismissed from your job, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits and you will need to apply for this at the UWV. 

If you register with the UWV as a jobseeker they can help you to search for a job with a Dutch or international company via their werk.nl website. To access this website, you will need a DigiD.

In addition to this, they can also advise you on the procedures you should follow if you become unemployed or know that your employment contract is coming to an end without renewal.

Employee sickness

The UWV also deal with cases where employees are sick. In this case their Social Medical Affairs division will assess your labour capacity and ability to take on workload. If you become sick and have no employer, you may be eligible for the sickness benefit.

Maternity and parental leave

The UWV is also responsible for administering maternity pay and paid parental leave. If you are self-employed, you will need to apply directly to the UWV for your maternity allowance. Otherwise, your employer should apply on your behalf, but you may still receive correspondence from the UWV regarding your benefits. 

Occupational disability

If you are unable to work long-term, you might need to apply to the UWV for a disability benefit. 

Data management

The UWV keeps track of all data regarding wages, benefits and labour relations of all employed people in the Netherlands.

Data is also supplied to other Dutch organisations and agencies such as the Dutch tax office (KvK), the Social Insurance Bank (SVB) and Statistics Netherlands (CBS).

Contacting the UWV

The UWV operates a helpdesk, with customer support available both online via web chat and on the phone. Some advisors may be able to speak English. Make sure to have your citizen service number (BSN) to hand. The UWV can be contacted from 8am to 5pm on weekdays.

UWV telephone number for individuals

You can call the UWV using one of the following numbers:

• If you are calling from the Netherlands: +31 88 898 92 94
• If you are calling from abroad: +31 88 898 20 01

UWV telephone number for employers

You can call the UWV as an employer using one of the following numbers:

• If you are calling from the Netherlands: +31 88 898 92 95
• If you are calling from abroad: +31 88 898 20 01

Alternatively, you can log into the employer portal to start a web chat. 

Visiting the UWV

If you have an appointment with a doctor or labour expert at an UWV office, you will receive a letter with the address details of the office at which you are expected. If you wish to send in a letter of appeal you can also do so at the following offices. Alternatively, find your closest UWV office by visiting the UWV directory.

Addresses of branch offices in larger cities are:

UWV office in Amsterdam

Address: Delflandlaan 3-5
Correspondence address: Postbus 8071 1005 AB

UWV office in Rotterdam

Address: Laan Op Zuid 393
Correspondence address: Postbus 51200 3007 GE

UWV office in The Hague

Address: Leeghwaterplein 1
Correspondence address: Postbus 16140 2500 BC

UWV office in Utrecht

Address: Moeder Teresalaan 100
Correspondence address: Postbus 2064 3500 GB

UWV office in Eindhoven

Address: Boschdijk 20
Correspondence address: Postbus 678 5600 AR

Visiting a Werkplein

If you are using the UWV website to look for a job and need advice or support regarding its use you can visit one of the UWV offices during walk-in hours. To find details of you closest UWV office and walk-in hours visit the UWV website (in Dutch).