If you run a business in the Netherlands and you have not enough work for your staff due to exceptional circumstances you can apply for a short-time working (werktijdverkorting, WTV) permit. This permit enables you to apply for temporary unemployment benefit for your employees. The workers concerned will still be employed by your company.
When do you qualify?
You can apply for a WTV permit if:
- the reduction in the volume of work is due to exceptional circumstances, such as fire or a lightning strike
- you expect to have at least 20% less work for your staff for at least 2 but no more than 24 weeks
- If you are a self-employed professional (zzp'er), you cannot make use of the WTV. You may be eligible for financial support for self-employed professionals (Bbz).
- You can only apply for a short-time working permit for employees towards whom you have a continued payment of wages obligation (loondoorbetalingsverplichting). You cannot apply for employees with a zero-hours contract, or for agency workers.
How to apply for unemployment benefit during short-time working?
You apply online for a short-time working permit (in Dutch) to the Ministry of Social Affairs and Work.
If you are granted the permit, you apply to the Employment Insurance Agency (UWV) for the unemployment benefit for the hours not worked, using this form (in Dutch).