You work in the Netherlands with a residence permit as a Highly Skilled Migrant (HSM) or under the European Blue Card (EBC) program and are thinking about changing jobs, or your employer plans to dismiss you. What happens next?
Dismissal rules and notice period
The standard notice period for dismissal under Dutch labor law is one month for employees who have worked at the company for less than five years.
Your employer must notify you in writing before the end of the preceding calendar month. For instance, if you are dismissed effective August 31, you must receive written notification by July 31. The same rule applies if you resign voluntarily.
It’s important to check your employment contract, as notice periods may differ based on company-specific labor agreements (CAO).
Be cautious about unpaid leave: Some employers might place departing employees on unpaid leave while keeping their contract active. This can harm your HSM status and affect your eligibility for the 30% ruling. Read more in our article on unpaid leave.
Job search period
After dismissal, you have a maximum of three months to find a new job, as long as your residence permit remains valid. The countdown begins from the date your employment contract ends, regardless of whether you resigned or were dismissed.
During this period:
- You and your family may remain legally in the Netherlands.
- If your residence permit expires sooner than three months, the job search period is limited to the remaining validity of your permit.
Note: European Blue Card holders who have worked in the Netherlands for more than two years are granted six months to find a new job, provided their permit remains valid. Learn more about EBC permits here.
Changing employers
If you are changing employers, your new company must be registered as an IND-recognized sponsor. For non-registered companies, a separate work permit is required, which is often more complex.
The new employer must notify IND promptly to ensure your legal residence remains uninterrupted.
Example: You were dismissed on December 31, and your residence permit remains valid for another 1.5 years. You find a new job after 2.5 months, with the contract starting March 20. Your new employer sends the notification to IND on March 18, ensuring there’s no interruption in your residency status.
Residence permit continuity
To qualify for permanent residency or naturalization after five years, your residence in the Netherlands must be continuous. Temporary absences are permitted but must remain within the allowed limits. Learn more about maximum absence limits.
If you secure a new job within the legal timeframe, your residence period remains intact, and the job search period counts toward your total stay. However, if you exceed the time limit, the residence period resets, and you may be required to leave the country.
30% ruling for tax benefits
If you find a new job within the permitted time, you can retain the 30% ruling. The new employer must inform the tax office (Belastingdienst) by submitting the simplified 30% ruling request form.
Renewing your residence permit
If your residence permit expires within three months of changing jobs, you must apply for renewal immediately. The renewal process does not happen automatically when you switch employers. Generally, the process takes up to three months.
Family members: Dependent residence permits of family members are tied to the HSM holder, not the employer. While employers may offer assistance, the ultimate responsibility for renewing these permits lies with the permit holders.