As an asylum seeker in the Netherlands, you are allowed to work provided you meet certain conditions. New employment regulations will come into force on 12 June 2026. As an asylum seeker, you are not always allowed to work in the Netherlands. For example, you are not allowed to work if you come from a safe country. The IND will check whether these rules apply to you.
You are allowed to work if your asylum application has been under consideration for at least six months. You are not allowed to do paid work before then. You will need to find work. Your employer must hold a work permit (TWV). The employer must apply for this work permit from UWV. Your employer must pay you the same wage as a Dutch employee. You can work as an employee or as a self-employed person.
A TWV is a document that shows you are authorised to work. Only your employer or client can apply for one via the UWV. Your employer must provide you with a copy of the TWV.
If you work as an asylum seeker in the Netherlands you have to pay tax, just like all employees in the Netherlands. You also pay a contribution to COA towards the costs of your stay in the reception centre. The amount you pay depends on your income. You are always allowed to keep 25% of your wages, up to the maximum specified monthly amount. If you earn more than you have to pay COA, you can also keep the extra amount you earn. This is laid down in the 2008 Asylum Seekers Own Contribution Scheme (REBA).
You are also allowed to perform small tasks, such as cleaning or gardening, at your reception centre. You may work a maximum of 25 hours each week. You will receive a small payment for this. This is between €0.56 and €1.10 an hour. The maximum payment is €14 a week.
If the IND grants you a temporary asylum residence permit, you can work, start your own business or do volunteer work and your employer will not need a permit.
If you do not have a residence permit yet, you may still do volunteer work. You do not need to wait for six months after your asylum application starts to be processed. The organisation where you want to do volunteer work needs to have a statement of volunteering from UWV and has to apply for this statement.
You are allowed to work six months after your asylum procedure starts. Your employer needs to have a permit that allows you to work. This is called a work permit.
You do not apply for a work permit yourself. Your employer submits an application for your work permit to UWV.
If you live in a reception centre and do paid work, you have to give some of your wages to COA as a contribution towards the costs of the reception facilities. You can keep 25% of your wages, up to a maximum of €269 a month. If the amount you earn is more than the amount you have to pay to COA, you can keep the difference between those amounts.
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