Have you been made redundant? Has your contract not been renewed? Anyone can lose their job but, thankfully, the Dutch government offers an unemployment allowance to provide financial support to people who are out of work. Our guide to the unemployment benefit in the Netherlands explains everything you need to know.
The unemployment benefit in the Netherlands
If you are (soon-to-be) unemployed, you might be entitled to receive the unemployment benefit (werkloosheidsuitkering or WW-uitkering). This benefit provides you with an income while you look for a job and try to get back into work. The unemployment benefit is intended only as a stop-gap measure; while you are receiving it, you are expected to make demonstrable efforts to find paid employment.
On top of this, it’s important to note that the unemployment benefit in the Netherlands is only available to those who have become unemployed through no fault of their own. This means that if you resign from your job or are dismissed on grounds that assume fault (for instance if you receive a summary dismissal), you are not eligible to receive the unemployment benefit.
Unemployment benefits in the Netherlands: Requirements
In order to receive the unemployment benefit in the Netherlands, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- You are covered by employee insurance. This is almost certainly the case if you have or had an employer, as they pay for the insurance on your behalf.
- You worked at least 26 out of the last 36 weeks before you became unemployed (not necessarily for the same employer).
- You worked at least 10 hours per week, on average, and your working hours have been reduced by five hours per week, leading to a loss of income. Alternatively, you worked fewer than 10 hours per week but your working hours have been reduced by at least half.
- You are available and willing to work.
You may also be entitled to receive unemployment benefit if you were on sick pay, paid maternity leave or took unpaid leave in the 36 weeks before you became unemployed. You cannot receive unemployment benefits if you have reached state retirement age.
If you were self-employed, you may still qualify for the unemployment benefit. This depends on factors like the length of time you had a business, whether your business has shut down, and how long you would have been entitled to unemployment benefits if you had not become self-employed.
Are expats entitled to receive unemployment benefits?
Expats can receive the unemployment benefit the same as Dutch citizens, as long as they have all the necessary documents, meet the requirements and follow the procedure outlined below.
How long can I claim unemployment benefit for?
The length of time for which you can receive unemployment benefit depends on how long you were previously employed. As a basic rule, each year of work in the Netherlands entitles you to one month of unemployment benefits, with a minimum duration of three months and a maximum duration of two years.
If you worked for at least 26 weeks before becoming unemployed
If you satisfy the basic minimum requirement of having worked for at least 26 weeks out of the 36 weeks before you became unemployed, then you will receive the unemployment benefit for at least three months. Your weekly working hours do not come into this calculation.
The UWV might take into account a time period longer than 36 weeks in the following situations:
- If you were ill.
- If you were on maternity leave or parental leave.
- If you took unpaid leave.
- If you were self-employed.
If you worked for at least four out of the last five years
You will receive the unemployment benefit for longer than three months if you worked for at least four full years out of the last five years before you became unemployed. If you meet this requirement, your unemployment benefit duration is calculated as follows:
- One month of unemployment benefit for each full year that you have worked, up to a maximum of 10 years
- Thereafter, 0,5 months of unemployment benefit for each full year of work (after January 1, 2016)
How much is the unemployment benefit in the Netherlands?
The value of your unemployment benefit is calculated based on the salary you earned in the year before you became unemployed. From this, a daily "wage" (dagloon) is calculated, and this amount multiplied by 21,75 is your monthly unemployment benefit (WW-maandloon).
For the first two months, you will receive 75 percent of your monthly unemployment benefit. From the third month onwards, you will receive 70 percent. For 2025, the maximum daily wage is set at 290,67 euros (gross).
Note that your unemployment benefit is adjusted if you earn any income in any given month, for instance if you accept temporary employment lasting just a few days or weeks. If you start working and you earn less than your unemployment benefit income, your benefit will supplement this income. If you earn 87,5% of your monthly unemployment benefit for two months in a row, your benefit will be stopped.
Unemployment benefits calculator
You can log into the Mijn UWV website to see an up-to-date overview of roughly how much unemployment benefit you would be entitled to.
How to apply for unemployment benefits in the Netherlands
If you know that you are going to be unemployed, you should apply to the UWV for the unemployment benefit. You should apply no earlier than one week before the first day of your unemployment, and no later than one week after the first day of your unemployment.
You can apply online via the Mijn UWV website. Complete the “unemployment benefit application form” (aanvragen WW-uitkering). You will need your DigiD as well as your BSN.
The UWV should already have some of the details they need for your application, but they may ask you for additional information. You should have the following documents to hand so you can input any missing information:
- Your most recent payslip
- Your most recent employment contract
- The details of your Dutch bank account
After submitting your application, you will receive a decision letter within four weeks telling you whether you qualify for the unemployment benefit and how long you will receive it for.
Your unemployment benefit will start on your first day of unemployment. If you need an advance payment (for instance to cover your rent or a different emergency situation), the UWV can issue this.
Your obligations while receiving unemployment benefit
One of the most important things to note about receiving unemployment benefits in the Netherlands is the so-called “job search requirement” (sollicitatieplicht). As the name suggests, this is the requirement for you to demonstrate that you have made efforts to look for work while you are receiving your unemployment benefit.
This could include:
- Applying for jobs via recruitment agencies or online
- Attending job interviews
- Posting your CV on a job search site
- Signing up to an employment or temping agency
- Phoning or visiting potential employers to ask about vacancies
- Doing assessments or tests for positions
- Networking and exploring job opportunities
- Attending workshops on how to look for a job
Note that simply looking at vacancies on a job search website does not count towards your job search requirement.
Together with your UWV employment advisor, you will make an agreement on how many job search activities you should complete every four weeks. The standard number is four per four weeks. You are expected to retain proof of your job search activities, as your UWV employment advisor may ask to see them.
Your job search during the first six months
During the first six months, you are allowed to focus your job search efforts on roles that are considered a “good fit” - that is, they match your skills, level of education, experience and salary expectations.
You are also able to focus your search on jobs that would require a maximum of two hours per day to travel to and from. However, if your previous job had a travel time that was longer than this, this will be considered an appropriate travel time for your new job.
If you turn down any jobs that the UWV considers to be a good fit for you, your unemployment benefit may be reduced or even stopped.
Your job search after six months
After six months, you will be expected to widen your search to accept any work you can get. This means that you would be expected to accept jobs that are lower-paid, are part-time, are temporary, are further away from your home, or require a lower level of education or experience than you have.
At this point, the maximum travel time considered acceptable by the UWV increases to three hours per day.
If you remain unemployed for a long period of time, and you find a job that is a considerable distance away, you will usually be required to accept the job and relocate.
Exceptions to the job search requirement
You are not required to meet the job search requirement in the following circumstances:
- You will reach retirement age within one year.
- You are on holiday.
- You are undertaking a course to help you reenter the labour market.
- You are doing a trial work placement and have permission to keep receiving your unemployment benefit at the same time.
- You have received the UWV’s permission to start a business.
- You are experiencing an unexpected crisis in your personal life, such as a death.
- You are providing essential care to someone close to you.
Other obligations while receiving the unemployment benefit
On top of fulfilling the job search requirement, you are also expected to:
- Complete all tasks assigned to you by the UWV.
- Report your monthly earnings to the UWV every four weeks, even if you did not earn any money.
- Attend all appointments with the UWV.
- Inform the UWV if your circumstances change, within one week of the change occurring.
Taking holidays while receiving unemployment benefits
You still build up rights to paid holidays while you are receiving your unemployment benefits. UWV gives all recipients the standard paid vacation leave of 20 days per year. If you wish to take a holiday, you need to inform the UWV in advance.
Starting a business while receiving unemployment benefits
If you are out of work and are interested in starting a business, the UWV may allow you to reduce your job search efforts to focus on building your business. There are three options:
- You use the start-up scheme and receive a lower unemployment benefit for 26 weeks, and during that period you can devote all your time to your new business.
- You can register as self-employed and have your employment benefit permanently reduced, corresponding to the hours you will work as a self-employed person. In the other hours, you will be expected to continue efforts to find work.
- You can stop your unemployment benefit altogether and become fully self-employed without any financial support.