Will I receive unemployment benefit (WW) after a settlement agreement?

This is one of the first questions employees ask when they receive a settlement agreement (vaststellingsovereenkomst, or VSO). The good news: in almost all cases, you are entitled to unemployment benefit under the Unemployment Insurance Act (WW) after a settlement agreement. Many employees worry about this more than necessary. The settlement agreement must, however, be properly drafted.

When are you entitled to unemployment benefit?

The principle is simple. You are entitled to unemployment benefit, unless you made yourself unemployed or your unemployment is attributable to you. This is the case, for example, if:

• you resigned yourself, or
• you are culpably unemployed, for example following summary dismissal.

With a settlement agreement, this is normally not the case. Although you consent to the termination of your employment, that does not make you culpably unemployed, provided the settlement agreement contains the right provisions.

What must the settlement agreement state?

The following points are important for your unemployment benefit entitlement:

• The initiative lies with the employer. The settlement agreement must state that your employer took the initiative to terminate the employment.
• No blame attaches to you. The settlement agreement must state that there is no urgent cause (dringende reden) or culpable conduct on your part.
• A neutral reason. For example, an economic reason, or a difference of opinion regarding the performance of your role.
• The notice period has been observed. The termination date must be chosen so that your notice period is respected. If that period is too short, your unemployment benefit will start later.

If these points are in order, you are in principle entitled to unemployment benefit.

How much is the unemployment benefit?

For the first two months, you receive 75% of your salary, and 70% thereafter. A cap applies, however: your salary is only taken into account up to the so-called maximum daily wage (maximumdagloon).

At present (as of 1 July 2026), the maximum daily wage is EUR 309.91 gross per day. Converted, that is approximately EUR 6,740 gross per month. The maximum unemployment benefit is then:

• The first two months: approximately EUR 5,055 gross per month.
• Thereafter: approximately EUR 4,720 gross per month.

If you earn more, you therefore do not receive 70% of your own salary, but 70% of the maximum. In the higher income bracket, unemployment benefit is therefore often only a limited part of your income. Nevertheless, it is advisable to safeguard your entitlement, for example in case finding a new position takes longer than expected.

How long do you receive unemployment benefit?

That depends on your employment history:

• At least 3 months, if you worked at least 26 of the 36 weeks preceding your unemployment.
• Longer than 3 months, if you worked at least four of the past five years. You then receive roughly one month of benefit per year worked for the first ten years, and half a month per year thereafter.
• A maximum of 24 months.

Please note: the government intends to shorten the maximum duration of unemployment benefit further. This will take effect on 1 January 2029 at the earliest, so the maximum of 24 months still applies for the time being.

What do you need to do to receive unemployment benefit?

1. Apply for unemployment benefit with the UWV. You can do so from one week before your employment contract ends.
2. Report your job application activities every four weeks. The starting point is at least four application activities per four weeks.
3. Report your income every month. Even if you have no income.

That is all. In most cases, nothing more is required.

Where can things go wrong?

• You are ill at the time of signing. In that case, you do not qualify for unemployment benefit but fall under the Sickness Benefits Act (Ziektewet). The UWV may then hold against you that you yourself cooperated in losing your continued salary payment. Never simply sign a settlement agreement while you are ill.
• The termination date is too early. Your unemployment benefit will then start later.
• The settlement agreement contains incriminating wording. For example, a reference to an incident or to your own wish to leave.

Read more about the settlement agreement itself in Received a settlement agreement? What you need to know.