Work and businessEditorially reviewed 02/09/2026

Unemployment benefit

Check whether you meet conditions and apply to HZZ for unemployment benefit within the deadline after employment or self-employment ends.

Price from

€0.00

Usual time

90 to 450 days, depending on length of work

Responsible institution

HZZ

How would you like to apply?

Documents and steps differ depending on how you apply.

Submit the application to an HZZ regional service, office or branch.

You can submit both the benefit application and register as unemployed electronically.

Selected: 0 of 5

Unemployment benefit application
Evidence of reason for employment terminationFor example, a dismissal decision or another document showing the termination date and reason.
Evidence of average gross salaryRequired where HZZ cannot obtain the information officially.
Proof of payment account
Additional evidence for a special situationRequired after self-employment, work in another country or missing the deadline for a justified reason.

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1
Check the work condition and termination reason
Generally, you must have worked at least nine months in the last 24, or six months if under 30, and work must not have ended through your fault or choice.
2
Note the 30-day deadline
Within this period, register with HZZ and apply, counting from the end of work or later end of a prescribed circumstance.
3
Collect evidence
Prepare evidence of work termination, salary information and payment account.
4
Submit the application at an HZZ office
Alongside registering in person, submit a separate benefit application and prepared evidence.
5
Follow the decision and HZZ obligations
Check awarded duration and amount and comply with active-job-seeking obligations.

1
Check the work condition and termination reason
Generally, you must have worked at least nine months in the last 24, or six months if under 30, and work must not have ended through your fault or choice.
2
Note the 30-day deadline
Within this period, register with HZZ and apply, counting from the end of work or later end of a prescribed circumstance.
3
Collect evidence
Prepare evidence of work termination, salary information and payment account.
4
Send a separate online benefit application
After electronic registration, complete and send the unemployment-benefit application with attachments.
5
Follow the decision and HZZ obligations
Check awarded duration and amount and comply with active-job-seeking obligations.

Procedure	Price	Deadline
Submitting the application HZZ does not charge for submitting the application.	€0.00	90 to 450 days, depending on length of work

Procedure

Price

Deadline

Submitting the application

HZZ does not charge for submitting the application.

€0.00

90 to 450 days, depending on length of work

The deadline to register and apply is generally 30 days after employment or self-employment ends.
Voluntary resignation and most mutual termination agreements generally exclude entitlement.
Work in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and end of self-employment involve additional evidence and rules.
The benefit amount is not the same as previous net salary and changes during the entitlement period.

Information was editorially reviewed on 02/09/2026. Before applying, check the latest information on official websites.

Report incorrect or outdated information. Your report is a signal for editorial review and does not change the guide automatically.