Volunteering with an asylum residence permit
If you have an asylum residence permit, you can do volunteer work in the Netherlands. Read more about it on this page.
Volunteering is unpaid work
Volunteering is work you do for others or for society without getting paid for it. You can volunteer if you enjoy it, or if you want to gain work experience. Through volunteer work you can also practice the Dutch language and meet Dutch people.
You can get compensation for volunteer work
If you do voluntary work, you sometimes receive compensation. In 2024, this allowance is usually less than € 210 per month and € 2,100 per year. This money is for things like travel costs or other expenses you incur while volunteering.
If you get benefits, a volunteer allowance may affect the amount you receive. Read how this works below:
You receive social assistance benefits and are younger than 27 years
A general expense allowance: will be deducted from your benefits.
An expense allowance for specific expenses (e.g. things you buy for the voluntary work): will not be deducted from your benefits.
You receive social assistance benefits and are 27 years or older
Volunteer allowance up to € 210 per month and € 2,100 per year (in 2024): does not affect your benefits.
Volunteer allowance above these amounts: will be deducted from your benefits. The
You receive unemployment benefits (WW benefits)
Volunteer allowance up to € 210 per month and € 2,100 per year (in 2024): does not affect your benefits.
Volunteer allowance above these amounts: will be deducted from your benefits. The
You may also receive other forms of compensation, such as a gift voucher or free participation in a training course or workshop. This does not usually affect your benefits.
Tell your contact person that you want to volunteer
If you want to do voluntary work and you receive benefits, always report this to your contact at the municipality or the
Your contact can also help prevent you from having to unexpectedly pay back a lot of money because of an excessive volunteer allowance.
Sometimes you have to show you don't have a criminal record
Sometimes a job or voluntary work requires you to apply for a document showing that you do not have a criminal record. This document is called a
Different jobs may have different requirements. Often the organisation you will be working or volunteering with will apply for the VOG for you. You do not need a
You can find volunteer work in these places
Volunteering can be done in many places. For example, in a community centre, at a school or in the library. You can ask your contact at