Unemployment Benefits (WW-uitkering) in the Netherlands

If you lose your job in the Netherlands, you may be entitled to unemployment benefits (WW-uitkering) from the UWV (Employee Insurance Agency). These benefits provide you with a temporary income while you search for a new job. In this article you will learn everything about eligibility, the amount and duration, the application process, and how to protect your unemployment benefit rights when signing a settlement agreement.

What are unemployment benefits?

Unemployment benefits (Werkloosheidswet or WW) is a social insurance benefit in the Netherlands that provides a temporary income for employees who have lost their jobs involuntarily. The benefit is administered by the UWV (Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen), the Dutch Employee Insurance Agency.

The purpose of the WW is to bridge the period between losing your job and finding new employment. It is not intended as a permanent income replacement — there are conditions you must meet both to qualify and to continue receiving benefits. The WW is financed through premiums that employers pay on behalf of their employees.

The legal basis for unemployment benefits is the Werkloosheidswet (WW), which has been in force since 1987 and has been amended several times, most recently with the Work and Security Act (Wwz) in 2015 and the Balanced Labour Market Act (WAB) in 2020.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for unemployment benefits, you must meet several conditions. The UWV assesses each application individually.

Basic conditions

• You have lost your job: your employment contract has ended or your working hours have been reduced by at least 5 hours per week. If you worked fewer than 10 hours per week, you must have lost at least half of your working hours.
• You are not at fault: you did not become unemployed through your own fault. This means you were not dismissed for an urgent reason (such as theft or refusal to work) and you did not resign voluntarily without a compelling reason.
• You are available for work: you must be able and willing to work and actively search for a new job.
• You are not ill: if you are ill, you may be entitled to sickness benefits (Ziektewet) instead of WW.

The weeks requirement (wekeneis)

You must have worked as an employee for at least 26 weeks out of the 36 weeks immediately before your first day of unemployment. All weeks in which you worked at least one day count. This is called the weeks requirement (wekeneis) and determines whether you qualify for the basic WW duration of 3 months.

The years requirement (jareneis)

For a longer benefit duration, you must also meet the years requirement (jareneis). This means you must have received sufficient wages from employment (with social insurance premiums paid) in at least 4 of the 5 calendar years before the year in which you became unemployed. It is not just about hours worked, but whether you received wages as an employee in each qualifying year. The years requirement determines the total duration of your WW benefit beyond the basic 3 months.

Amount of your benefits

The amount of your unemployment benefit is based on your daily wage (dagloon), which is calculated from your SV-loon (social insurance wages) in the reference period before your unemployment. The UWV uses a standardised calculation method that may not correspond exactly to a calendar year:

• First 2 months: you receive 75% of your daily wage
• From month 3 onwards: you receive 70% of your daily wage

There is a maximum daily wage that is adjusted twice a year (on 1 January and 1 July). Check the UWV website for the current maximum daily wage and the corresponding maximum monthly WW benefit.

What counts as income for the daily wage?

The daily wage is based on the so-called SV-loon (social insurance wages) that you earned in the reference period. This includes:

• Gross base salary
• Holiday allowance (vakantiegeld)
• Thirteenth month or year-end bonus
• Overtime pay
• Shift allowances
• Commissions and bonuses

Duration of unemployment benefits

The duration of your WW benefit depends on your employment history:

• Basic duration: if you meet the weeks requirement but not the years requirement, you are entitled to 3 months of WW.
• Extended duration: if you also meet the years requirement, you receive 1 additional month per year of employment history, up to a maximum of 24 months (2 years) in total.

Example

If you have a verified employment history of 15 years, you are entitled to 15 months of WW (1 month per year). If you have 25 years, the maximum is capped at 24 months. Note: not all years automatically count. The UWV assesses per calendar year whether you received sufficient wages from employment. Years in which you were self-employed or did not receive wages may not qualify.

How to apply

Applying for unemployment benefits involves several steps:

Step 1: Register as a jobseeker

Register as a jobseeker at werk.nl (the UWV job portal) on the first working day after your last day of employment. Late registration is possible but may cause your benefit to start later. This does not automatically result in a reduction of the benefit amount. Create a profile and upload your CV.

Step 2: Apply for WW

Submit your WW application online via werk.nl within one week after your registration. You will need the following information:

• Your personal details (BSN number, address, bank account)
• Details of your former employer
• Your last payslip or annual statement
• A copy of your settlement agreement or dismissal letter
• Your employment contract

Step 3: UWV assessment

The UWV reviews your application and assesses whether you meet all conditions. This process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks. If approved, the benefit is paid retroactively from your first day of unemployment (or from the end of the fictitious notice period, if applicable).

Unemployment benefits and settlement agreements

If your employment ends through a settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst), you can still qualify for unemployment benefits — but only if the agreement meets specific conditions. The UWV scrutinises settlement agreements carefully.

Conditions for keeping your WW rights

• Employer initiative: the settlement agreement must clearly state that the initiative for termination lies with the employer, not with you. If the UWV concludes that you yourself wanted to leave, your application may be rejected.
• No urgent reason: the agreement must not mention a reason that would constitute grounds for summary dismissal (such as theft, fraud or persistent refusal to work). If such a reason is mentioned, the UWV may conclude you were culpably unemployed.
• Correct notice period: the end date must respect the applicable notice period (the fictitious notice period). If the notice period is not correctly observed, the UWV will impose a waiting period before your WW starts.
• No detrimental act (benadelingshandeling): the UWV assesses whether you helped the employer dismiss you more cheaply than necessary (for example, by waiving severance pay or agreeing to a shorter notice period without compensation).
• Overall circumstances: the UWV judges on the basis of the total circumstances — not just the text of the agreement — whether you are culpably unemployed. If your conduct contributed to the termination (for example, if you repeatedly refused to perform your duties), the UWV may reduce or refuse your benefit.

Your obligations during WW

Receiving unemployment benefits comes with obligations. If you fail to meet these, the UWV can reduce or stop your benefit.

• Active job searching: you must actively look for work and be able to demonstrate your efforts. The UWV expects you to apply for at least a certain number of jobs per month and keep a record of your applications.
• Accept suitable work: you must accept suitable employment when offered. In the first 6 months, only work that matches your education and experience level is considered suitable. After 6 months, any paid work at your educational level is suitable. After 12 months, all paid work is considered suitable.
• Report changes: you must immediately report any changes in your situation, such as starting work, earning income, becoming ill, or travelling abroad.
• Stay available: you must be available for work and reachable for the UWV. If you want to go on holiday, you must report this to the UWV in advance. You may take up to 20 holiday days per year while receiving full WW (proportionally fewer with a partial benefit). Your benefit continues during properly reported holiday days. Unreported holidays may lead to a sanction, and days exceeding the allowed maximum may result in your benefit being stopped for those days.
• Participate in reintegration activities: if the UWV offers you training, courses or other reintegration support, you are expected to participate.

Partial unemployment

If you lose part of your working hours (at least 5 hours per week, or at least half if you worked fewer than 10 hours), you may be entitled to partial unemployment benefits. The UWV calculates the benefit based on the difference between your old and new working hours.

If you find a new part-time job while receiving WW, your earnings are deducted from your benefit. In the first two months, an income exemption (inkomstenvrijlating) of 25% applies: this portion of your earnings from new employment is not deducted. From the third month, your earnings are fully deducted. Note: the income exemption applies only to income from employment, not to other forms of income (such as pension or alimony). Working part-time generally results in a higher total income than receiving WW alone. Always report your income to the UWV to avoid sanctions.

WW after a temporary contract

If your temporary contract ends and is not renewed, you may also be entitled to unemployment benefits, provided you meet the weeks requirement. The non-renewal of a temporary contract is not considered voluntary unemployment on your part.

Key points for WW after a temporary contract:

• You must have worked at least 26 weeks in the 36 weeks before the end of your contract
• Register at werk.nl on the first working day after your contract ends
• You are entitled to severance pay (transitievergoeding) if your employer does not renew the contract, even for short-term contracts
• If your employer did not comply with the notification obligation (aanzegtermijn) — failing to inform you at least one month before the end of the contract — you are entitled to compensation of up to one month's salary

Frequently asked questions about unemployment benefits

How long do unemployment benefits last?

The basic duration is 3 months. If you also meet the years requirement, you receive 1 additional month per year of employment history, up to a maximum of 24 months total. The exact duration depends on your individual employment history.

How much will I receive?

In the first 2 months you receive 75% of your daily wage, and from month 3 onwards 70%. There is a maximum daily wage that is adjusted twice a year. These are gross amounts — income tax is still deducted.

Can I receive WW after signing a settlement agreement?

Yes, in most cases you can, provided the settlement agreement meets certain conditions: the initiative must lie with the employer, there must be no urgent reason, and the notice period must be correctly processed. Have your agreement checked for free to make sure.

What happens if I find a new job during WW?

If you find a new full-time job, your WW benefit stops. If you find part-time work, your earnings are deducted from your benefit. You must always report new income to the UWV immediately. Your remaining WW entitlement is preserved — if you lose your new job within the WW period, you can resume your benefit.

Can I go abroad while receiving WW?

You can take up to 20 holiday days per year while receiving full WW (proportionally fewer with a partial benefit), during which you may travel. You must report your holiday to the UWV in advance. Your benefit continues during properly reported days within the allowed maximum. For longer stays abroad, or for job seeking in other EU/EEA countries, special rules apply. Leaving without reporting can result in a sanction or loss of your benefit.

What if the UWV rejects my application?

If the UWV rejects your WW application, you can file an objection (bezwaar) within 6 weeks of the decision. The UWV will then reassess your application. If the objection is also rejected, you can appeal to the court (rechtbank). It is advisable to seek legal advice if your application is rejected, especially if it concerns a settlement agreement.