Working in the Netherlands with an asylum residence permit

Do you have an asylum residence permit in the Netherlands and want to work? Then you may start working. You will find information here about looking for work and applying for it.

A man is talking to his employer in a warehouse.

Source: VluchtelingenWerk Nederland / Goedele Monnens

Article

Conditions for working in the Netherlands with an asylum residence permit

Last updated: 25/09/2024, 11:29

Do you have an asylum residence permit and want to work in the Netherlands? If so, you have the same rights and obligations as people with a Dutch passport. On this page you can read what conditions you must meet to be able to work.

You need a BSN to work

In practice, most employers want you to have a

citizen service number (BSN)

. Your employer can then more easily create a contract for you and deposit wages into your bank account. To open a bank account, you need a BSN.

You get a BSN when you register in the

Dutch population register (BRP)

. There are 5 locations in the Netherlands where you can register. You will receive an invitation to register.

This is how you get a personal number (BSN) to handle your affairs in the Netherlands

On this page you can read how to get a citizen service number (BSN).

More information

Are you still living in a reception centre of the

Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA)

? In some cases, an employer does want to make a contract without a BSN. And they can pay your wages to your Yoursafe account from COA even if you do not have a BSN yet. But how much money you can receive on your Yoursafe and from whom depends on your type of YourSafe account. Do you not have a BSN but you do have a Yoursafe account? Then ask the COA employee to help you.

Opening a bank account in the Netherlands

This page tells you how to open a bank account in the Netherlands.

More information

Sometimes you need a Certificate of Good Conduct (CGC)

Sometimes you may need a

Certifacte of Good Conduct (CGC)

for work or volunteer work. Usually the organisation will apply for this CGC for you. You do not need a

BSN

to apply for a CGC.

This is what you need to arrange if you receive allowances or benefits

Are you receiving welfare benefits or unemployment benefits? If so, you must contact the municipality or the

Uitvoeringsinstituut Werknemersverzekeringen (UWV)

directly to stop these benefits.

Do you receive allowances, such as rental or healthcare allowances? If so, you must contact the Dutch tax authorities to report that your income has changed. You may be entitled to fewer allowances. If you do not report changes in your income, you will have to repay excess benefits later.

This is what you need to take care of if you are still living in the asylum reception centre

Perhaps you are still waiting for a home and living in the reception centre of the