If you are receiving an unemployment benefit or an IOW benefit, you are entitled to 20 days of holiday each calendar year. A calendar year runs from 1 January to 31 December. If your benefit starts after 1 January, you are entitled to fewer days of holiday in that year. If your benefit stops before 31 December, the number of days of holiday you are entitled to does not change. You cannot carry over unused holiday into the next year.
Reaching the state pension age (‘AOW-leeftijd’)
If you reach the state pension age within 1 year, you are entitled to 65 days of holiday each calendar year.
While you are on holiday, the following rules apply:
- Your benefit payments will continue as usual.
- You do not have to meet the job search requirement (‘sollicitatieplicht’).
- You will not be invited to attend appointments with us.
- You do not need to use your holiday days for weekends or public holidays.
Make sure you inform us at least 1 day before your holiday starts. This applies even if you stay at home or have a holiday in the Netherlands. A short day trip does not need to be reported.
To report your holiday to us, you will need to log in to Mijn UWV:
If you are living abroad
If you are living abroad and need to report a holiday to us, use the Change of circumstances form for those living abroad.
If your holiday plans change
Let us know immediately if your holiday plans change. For example, tell us if the dates are different or if your holiday is shorter or longer than originally planned.
If your holiday is longer than you are entitled to
If your holiday lasts longer than the number of days you are entitled to, you will not receive your benefit for the extra days. During this time, you must continue to meet the job search requirement.
If your holiday is cancelled
If your holiday does not go ahead, tell us at least 1 day before it was due to start.
If you are receiving an unemployment benefit, report this via a Work Folder message (‘Werkmapbericht’) on Mijn UWV.
If you are receiving an IOW benefit, use the change of circumstances when receiving an IOW benefit form.
If you fall ill while on holiday, you must report sick to us: