In many cases, an asylum seeker is allowed to work in the Netherlands. However, their asylum application must have been under consideration for at least 6 months. A number of new rules for asylum seekers have also been in force since 12 June 2026. For example, asylum seekers from safe countries are no longer allowed to work in the Netherlands. Asylum seekers can only work if the employer has a work permit (TWV). There is no limit on the number of weeks an asylum seeker is allowed to work each year.

Work Permit (TWV)

A work permit (TWV) is a document that an employer needs in order to allow an asylum seeker to work. The employer applies for this TWV from the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV). Asylum seekers are allowed to work once their asylum application has been under consideration for at least six months. This means that an asylum seeker cannot take up paid work during the first six months. The UWV also checks whether the employer is paying sufficient wages. An asylum seeker is entitled to the same pay as Dutch nationals.

The new asylum rules do not apply to status holders. These are asylum seekers who have an asylum residence permit. Employers do not need a permit for status holders. The government wants to help more status holders find work by making employment a central focus of the integration programme.

Stricter rules for work permits

From 12 June 2026, new asylum rules apply in the European Union (EU). These rules also have implications for asylum seekers who wish to work in the Netherlands. Some asylum seekers are no longer allowed to work, even though their asylum procedure has been under consideration for more than six months. This applies, for example, to asylum seekers who:

  • Come from a safe country of origin.
  • Lied on their asylum application.
  • Have a transfer decision. This means that another EU Member State must decide on their asylum application.

The new rules apply to asylum seekers whose asylum applications were filed on or after 12 June 2026. When an application for a TWV is submitted, the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) checks whether an asylum seeker is permitted to work.

Government plan: reduce the waiting period from 6 to 3 months

The government wants to shorten the waiting period for asylum seekers who are permitted to work in the Netherlands. The plan is to reduce the waiting period from 6 to 3 months. This means that asylum seekers can start working sooner. This will enable them to learn the language more quickly and contribute to the cost of their accommodation sooner. A shorter waiting period also helps to ease labour market shortages.

Working as a self-employed person with a TWV

With a TWV, an asylum seeker may also set up as a self-employed person. The asylum seeker’s client applies for the permit from the UWV. In this case too, the UWV issues the TWV to the client if the asylum application has been under consideration for at least 6 months.

Supervision and enforcement

The Netherlands Labour Authority checks whether employers comply with labour laws, such as the Foreign Nationals (Employment) Act (Wav). Employers are not permitted to allow asylum seekers without a TWV to undertake paid work. The Authority takes enforcement action when an employer breaches the law.

Asylum seeker’s personal contribution

If an asylum seeker has paid work, they must pay the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) a personal contribution towards the costs of their accommodation. These costs include, amongst other things, accommodation in a reception centre, a daily allowance for food and living expenses, and medical care.

In the calculation of the personal contribution, part of the income is not taken into account: 25 per cent of net income, up to a maximum of €285 per month.

Example of a personal contribution calculation

An asylum seeker earns €1,300 net per month.

  1. The COA excludes 25 per cent of the net income in calculating the personal contribution. 25 per cent of €1,300 is €325. As the amount that the COA does not take into account is a maximum of €285, the COA does not exclude €325 but €285 of the income.
  2. In calculating the personal contribution, the COA takes €1,300 – €285 = €1,015 into account.
  3. The COA calculates the costs of reception and support services, such as accommodation, food and living allowances, and medical care. In this calculation example, the accommodation and other benefits received by the asylum seeker are worth €563.49 per month. This is the maximum amount that the COA can charge as a personal contribution.
  4. As €1,015 is higher than €563.49, the asylum seeker pays a personal contribution of €563.49 to the COA.
  5. The asylum seeker therefore has €1,300 – €563.49 = €736.51 left over from their salary.

Looking for work

Asylum seekers who wish to work must find a job themselves. The COA does provide advice, but it does not act as an intermediary.

Work at an asylum seekers’ centre (AZC)

Asylum seekers may also carry out work at the asylum seekers’ centre (AZC). For example, cleaning and helping with the upkeep of the buildings or the garden. This is possible for up to 25 hours a week and no TWV is required for this. The asylum seeker receives a small allowance for this: between €0.56 and €1.10 per hour. There is a maximum limit of €14 per week for this.

Asylum seekers with a residence permit

If an asylum seeker is granted an asylum residence permit by the Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), they will then, as a permit holder, have the same rights and obligations as Dutch nationals. An asylum seeker may take up paid employment without the employer having to apply for a TWV. An asylum seeker may also choose to become self-employed.

Volunteering

Asylum seekers are allowed to do voluntary work. This is also permitted during the first six months. If they do not have a residence permit, the employer must provide a volunteer declaration from the UWV.

Hiring a refugee

As an employer, you can find more information about hiring refugees on the vluchtelingenwerk.nl website.

Working whilst appeal proceedings are ongoing

If the asylum seeker was permitted to work before the IND made a decision on the asylum application, the asylum seeker may also work during the appeal proceedings.

The asylum seeker is not allowed to wait in the Netherlands for the appeal to be heard. The asylum seeker is therefore not permitted to work in the Netherlands. The situation is different when the court grants preliminary relief.

Work placements and work experience opportunities

An asylum seeker may only undertake a work placement:

  • as part of a vocational training programme under a practical training agreement
  • as part of higher professional education, under a work placement agreement between the university of applied sciences, the employer and the student.

The employer does not need a TWV for this. It is not permitted to allow an asylum seeker to undertake a work placement or work in a work experience job outside the scope of these rules.