The short answer
A statutory transition payment can be due when an employer ends employment or does not renew a temporary contract, subject to exceptions. Ordinary voluntary resignation generally does not give the same entitlement.
Start with the reason employment is ending
A mutual settlement has its own negotiated compensation. Identify the actual termination route before calculating an amount.
Use the correct service period and wage base
The ordinary calculation starts from one third of a monthly wage for each year of service, with proportional treatment for shorter periods. Which wage components count and any applicable cap require checking. Keep contract dates, successive employment details and wage records. The official calculation is an indication, not a ruling on your individual entitlement.
What to do next
- Confirm who ends the contract and why.
- Collect service dates and the relevant wage components.
- Compare the final settlement with the official explanation and seek advice promptly if unpaid.
A worker with an illustrative €3,000 calculation wage and exactly three years of qualifying service gets a starting calculation of €3,000 gross: 3 × one third × €3,000. Exceptions and the wage definition still need checking.
Questions people ask
Can it apply to a short contract?
The right can arise from the start of employment when the statutory conditions are met; it is not limited to long permanent contracts.
Is it due when I resign?
Usually not for an ordinary voluntary resignation. Exceptional circumstances need individual legal assessment.
Does a temporary contract qualify?
Non-renewal by the employer can qualify, subject to the applicable exceptions and any suitable renewal offer.
Is the amount net or gross?
The statutory calculation is gross. Payroll deductions can make the amount transferred to your bank lower.
Is compensation in a settlement agreement identical?
No. A mutual settlement can negotiate a different compensation amount and should be reviewed on its own terms.
Sources
Last verified: 4 October 2026. Sources are in Dutch or English.