Get to know your redundancy and residence rights in the Netherlands

For expats, being made redundant can cost you your right to continue living in the Netherlands. Employment and immigration law expert Renée Sauer, at GMW lawyers, has shared key advice to take into consideration regarding redundancy and rights of residency in the Netherlands for highly skilled migrants, European Blue Card holders and Intra Company Transfer directive workers.

Facing redundancy? The immigration law experts at GMW lawyers can advise you on your work and residence options.

The link between work and residence

As an international, your right of residence in the Netherlands is often based on your employment. This right of residence determines your rights and the potential impact of losing your job. Highly skilled migrants (HSM), European Blue Card (EBC) holders and employees under the Intra Company Transfer (ICT) directive are exempt from the combined work and residence permit; their status as an HSM, EBC holder or ICT provides both.

For all three groups, termination of employment for any reason, including redundancy or termination by mutual consent (voluntary departure or settlement offer), can result in having to leave the Netherlands.

For highly skilled migrants

When an HSM loses their job, their work and residence permits can continue unchanged – but they must find a new job that fulfils the HSM criteria. They must do so before the expiry of the search period if there is one. If a highly skilled migrant cannot find such a new job in time, their right of residence will end and they will have to leave the Netherlands.

Tip: Garden leave does not count towards your search period.

If you discover that your employer is no longer a recognised sponsor or if a change to your employment conditions no longer fulfils the HSM criteria, get legal advice.

For European Blue Card holders

When an EBC holder loses their job, residence permits can also continue unchanged – but they must find a new job that meets the requirements of the EBC scheme within the search period. The new employer does not need to be a recognised sponsor. Should they be unable to find a new job that fulfils all the strict EBC criteria, they will have to leave the Netherlands when the search period expires.

Tip: EBC holders have the option of moving to a new job within the EU while accruing residence rights.

Contact an immigration law expert for specialist advice on your work and residence options.

For ICT directive workers

When an employee working under the ICT directive loses their job, they have no search period. Their residence permit ends when the employment ends.

The ICT directive is designed for employees who will leave the Netherlands at the end of their employment. Therefore, ICT directive workers wishing to remain in the Netherlands may need to apply for a different residence status, such as becoming an HSM.

Tip: If you wish to remain here after your contract ends, plan ahead and investigate your future residence options.

If you have lost your job and you want to stay in the Netherlands, you should call an immigration lawyer.

Get advice you can trust

If you suspect that you may be made redundant due to reorganisation, or you are offered a voluntary departure scheme or settlement agreement, or if you lose your job, you need to consider the risk to your residence. If you suspect that your residence rights are at risk, get legal advice as soon as possible so that you can understand your options and take action.

GMW lawyers has English-speaking immigration law experts who can help you prevent problems, or solve existing migration issues. For legal advice and assistance, please contact them using the button below, call 070 361 5048 or visit their website.