Netherlands - April 2023

A court in Arnhem ruled that the existing regulation limiting asylum seekers to work for up to 24 weeks a year conflicts with the EU’s Reception Conditions Directive, and that the Employee Insurance Agency (UWV) may no longer reject applications of asylum seekers working more than 24 weeks per year. The decision comes following the case of an asylum seeker whose application for a new work permit was rejected by the UWV, because he had exceeded the 24 weeks limit. The EU directive mandates that EU member countries provide asylum seekers with access to the labour market.

Sources: De Rechtspraak, NL Times, Dutch News, European Commission