Unemployment benefit

If you lose your job in the Netherlands, you might be able to get unemployment benefit. In that case, you will receive money while you look for a new job. 

When do I have the right to unemployment benefit? 

Unemployment benefit is also known as WW benefit. You have the right to unemployment benefit if you were employed and you were also insured against unemployment through your job. You must also have worked for at least 26 weeks out of the last 36 weeks. You must have lost at least five hours of work a week, and you must be immediately available for a new job. You must have become unemployed through no fault of your own. If you hand in your resignation, you will normally not get unemployment benefit. 

Claiming unemployment benefit 

To claim unemployment benefit, go to Mijn UWV on the UWV website. Log in with your DigiD. You can claim unemployment benefit up to one week before you become unemployed, and no later than one week after you became unemployed.  

Make sure you have your payslip, employment contract, bank account number and the date you become unemployed close at hand. It takes about 30 minutes to complete the claim form. UWV will send you a letter containing the decision within four weeks. 

Tax 

Your unemployment benefit counts as income, and so you pay tax on it. You do not need to arrange this yourself because UWV automatically deducts the tax from your benefit. 

While you are unemployed 

If you get unemployment benefit, you must continue to make active efforts to find work. You have to apply for jobs and be available for work. You can also work while you receive benefit. This is allowed even if you only work a few hours a week or do not earn much. You get to keep 30% of your additional income for yourself. This amount will be added to your benefit so that you have more money. Working while you receive a benefit will also help you find a permanent job faster. Remember to report your income to UWV every month. 

Leaving the Netherlands while you receive unemployment benefit 

If you decide to stay in another country, either temporarily or for an extended period, you usually cannot take your unemployment benefit with you. You can only do this if you are going to be looking for work in another EU country. In that case, you must be available for work and actively apply for jobs in the Netherlands for at least four weeks.  

If you do not find a job during that period, you can ask UWV for a PD U2 form before you leave the Netherlands. Once you have arrived in the other country, you must register with the benefits agency in that country within seven days. You must continue to look for work actively in that country and follow that country’s rules. 

Working while you receive benefit 

If you find work in another country while you receive unemployment benefit from the Netherlands, you can keep 30% of your additional income. That amount will be added to your benefit so that you have more money. You must report your income to UWV every month.