Fixed-term contract not renewed: your rights in the Netherlands
What would you like help with?
Detailed explanation, checklist and sources
If your employer does not renew your Dutch employment contract, check notification, transition compensation and final pay separately. The contract usually ends on its agreed date, but you may still be owed money.
On this page
1. Check written notification
For a fixed-term contract lasting at least six months with a fixed end date, the employer usually has to notify you in writing at least one month before it ends. A written notification at the start may already satisfy this duty. Exceptions apply, including certain agency clauses. Missing required notification can lead to one gross month’s salary in compensation; late notification to a proportionate amount. It does not automatically extend the contract. The employer does not owe notification compensation in bankruptcy, a suspension of payments or statutory debt restructuring. This is a separate exception; assess other wage and compensation rights separately.
2. Check transition compensation
Transition compensation (transitievergoeding) is usually due when the employer decides not to renew. Refusing a renewal offer yourself changes the assessment. Retirement age and employer insolvency are among the possible exceptions. Ask for the calculation and check service dates and salary. Notification compensation and transition compensation are separate claims.
3. Check final pay and next steps
Ask for an itemised final payment covering salary, outstanding holiday hours and holiday allowance. Check WW eligibility with UWV in time; contract expiry does not itself guarantee benefits. Keep the two court deadlines separate: an application solely for notification compensation must reach the cantonal court within two months after the contract ends. A claim solely for transition compensation has a three-month deadline after employment ends. A payment request to the employer is not a court application. Seek help promptly in a dispute and keep proof of receipt. Other claims may have different, shorter deadlines, so seek help promptly.
Which situation applies to you?
First compare how your employment ends. This overview concerns Dutch law; UWV decides benefit entitlement.
| Your situation | What does it mean? | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| Contract expires; you can work | WW may be possible. Check all WW eligibility conditions. | Read the guidance UWV source ↗ |
| Contract expires; you are still ill | Leaving while ill: Ziektewet may apply. This differs from resigning. | Read the guidance UWV source ↗ |
| You want to resign | Have the income and benefit consequences assessed before resigning. | Read the guidance UWV source ↗ |
| Employer proposes a settlement (VSO) | Check the dismissal reason and notice period. Seek legal advice first if ill. | Read the guidance UWV source ↗ |
Collect your contract, end date and employer’s messages in your checklist.
This overview reviewed on .
Is a verbal notification enough?
Where the statutory notification duty applies, it must be in writing. Check whether your contract or an earlier email already contains the notification. Get advice quickly about missing or late notice; this claim is separate from transition compensation. For notification compensation alone, the court must receive your application within two months after the contract ends.
Documents to prepare
Prepare your next stepFill in and save · Word
Tick what you have checked or collected. Note what is missing and take your overview to a meeting.
Unless saved in My overview: Your entries stay only on this screen. Download before leaving; closing or reloading clears them. Do not enter identity numbers, passwords or unnecessary personal details.
What do you still need for your next step?
Item 1 / 4 · Where do you stand with this item?
Current and previous contracts
This overview follows your own answers. It does not assess your rights or guarantee that your file is complete.
Your choices stay here. Use the buttons below if you want to save or download.
View all details, notes and timeline
Your timeline and evidence
List events and contacts. Note where you keep the evidence; no upload is needed.
What goes in my timeline?
Record what happened, when, the response and where to find the letter, message or photo. Mark uncertain dates.
Is my evidence sent?
No. You only note where it is kept. No files are uploaded or sent automatically.
How do I save my timeline?
Your entries are not saved automatically. Choose Save and continue later to store this preparation, including your timeline, in My overview. Wait for confirmation and save new changes again. You can also download a Word file without an account.
Up to 20 events. Choose a different position for an event to change the order.
0 / 4 · Checked or collected
For each event, note the date, what happened and where the evidence is kept. Example: 3 October — letter received — correspondence folder.
Describe the solution you would like, such as an explanation of a deduction and repayment of the outstanding amount.
For example: which document is missing, who can provide it and what should I do first?
Record the date and its source. If unknown, note this and check promptly. This tool does not calculate or monitor deadlines.
After your conversation
These are your own notes. Confirm agreements with the other person; these notes do not prove their agreement.
This is your preparation, not a submitted request, objection or legally reviewed document. A tick records only your own progress. Check the procedure and deadline in the original letter.
Save and continue later
Clear entries
Download anything you want to keep first. Clearing cannot be undone.
- Current and previous contracts
- Written notification and receipt date
- Any renewal offer
- Payslips, holiday balance and compensation calculation
Sources
Need personal assistance? Request a lawyer through our chat. We explain the next step; submitting a request does not engage a lawyer. The links below support the legal information.
Rijksoverheid · Aanzegtermijn ↗Rijksoverheid · Transitievergoeding ↗Rechtspraak · Termijnen verzoekschrift ↗Sources may be in Dutch. General information about Dutch law, not individual legal advice.