Register as a jobseeker in the Netherlands

Job-search support from UWV and your municipality

Jobseekers in the Netherlands usually sign up on werk.nl, the job site run by the employee insurance agency UWV together with local councils. You need a citizen service number (BSN) and normally a DigiD, the government’s online login. After that you can place your CV, look at training and ask a Werkplein, the local job centre, for help. This is separate from claiming unemployment benefit.

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How it works

Register as a jobseeker

Register with the public employment service to get help finding work.

Registering with the public employment service gives you access to job offers, advice and training, and is often required before you can claim unemployment benefit. You usually register online or at the office for your home address, then have an interview with an adviser. Bring your ID, proof of address and details of your work history and qualifications. Registering as a jobseeker and applying for benefit are often separate steps, so check whether you need to do both.

Also searched as

jobseeker registrationregister as unemployedemployment officejob centrepublic employment servicehelp finding a job

At a glance

Offices
42 offices in 38 cities
Book online
Not offered
Apply online
At 34 of 42 offices

Walk-in or by appointment, depending on the office

Get job-search help in person

UWV Werkpleinen and municipal job centres can answer questions about vacancies, training and the online tools. Some take walk-ins on weekdays, others only meet you after you have booked or been invited.

See job-search offices

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Other countries

The same task in other countries

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Where to next

UWV and municipal job-search offices

Offices that support jobseekers, city by city, with a note on which welcome walk-ins and which work by appointment.

Jobseeker offices in the Netherlands

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