Work and pay
Vaststellingsovereenkomst
Settlement agreement
What does Vaststellingsovereenkomst mean?
A vaststellingsovereenkomst (VSO) is a settlement agreement that ends your employment by mutual consent, without a court or UWV procedure. It sets the end date, any severance, and arrangements like holiday pay and references. After signing, you have 14 days to cancel it without giving a reason. If the agreement does not mention that right, the cooling-off period becomes 3 weeks.
Key facts
| Cooling-off period | 14 days after signing |
| If not mentioned in the agreement | 3 weeks |
| Legal basis | Burgerlijk Wetboek article 7:670b |
| Key WW clauses | Employer's initiative, no urgent reason, notice period respected |
What to do
- Do not sign on the spot. Ask for time and have it checked. Many employers pay a contribution to legal advice.
- Check the agreement states the initiative came from the employer and there is no urgent reason for dismissal. That protects your WW.
- Check the end date respects your notice period, so WW is not delayed.
- Compare the severance with the statutory transitievergoeding you would otherwise receive.
- If your residence permit depends on this job, check how long you can stay to look for work before signing.
Worth knowing
Use the cooling-off period once only: if you cancel and then sign a new agreement with the same employer within 6 months, the new one has no cooling-off period.
Frequently asked questions
Can I cancel a vaststellingsovereenkomst after signing?
Yes, within 14 days of signing, without a reason, by informing your employer in writing. If the agreement does not mention this right, you have 3 weeks.
Do I keep my WW benefit with a settlement agreement?
Usually yes, if the agreement shows the initiative came from the employer, you are not at fault, and the notice period is respected. Have these clauses checked before signing.
Does a settlement agreement include severance?
Often, but it is negotiable. The statutory transitievergoeding is the usual starting point, and employers sometimes offer more to reach agreement quickly.
Read next
Official sources
More Dutch terms: work and pay
Plain-English explanations of the words on your letters and contracts.