Losing a high-tech job in Eindhoven?
In Brainport, a job ending can also put your residence permit and your next role at risk. FindLawyer is an English-speaking matching service; book a free 15-minute call and we introduce you to a Dutch employment lawyer who handles Eindhoven cases.
No obligation
Lawyer introduction within 2 business days
How it works
1. Book a free call
Pick a time for a free 15-minute consultation. No cost, no obligation.
2. Explain your situation
Tell us what happened, how urgent it is, and what documents you have.
3. Decide with no pressure
If a lawyer is the right route, we explain the matching fee before you commit.
4. Get matched fast
We introduce you to a Dutch employment lawyer who handles Eindhoven cases within 2 business days.
Employment issues for internationals in Eindhoven’s Brainport
Eindhoven is the Netherlands’ high-tech capital — semiconductors, engineering and a large relocated international workforce across the Brainport region. That raises specific, high-stakes issues when a job ends.
Your kennismigrant permit is tied to your job
Many Brainport professionals are in Eindhoven on a kennismigrant (highly skilled migrant) permit sponsored by their employer. If you are dismissed or leave, you generally have a limited search period (often three months) to find a new sponsoring employer before your right to stay is at risk. For a relocated international, a dismissal is an immigration deadline as much as an employment problem.
Get advice before you agree any end date — the two issues are linked.
Non-compete and confidentiality clauses in high-tech
Semiconductor and engineering employers rely heavily on non-compete (non-concurrentiebeding), non-solicitation and trade-secret clauses — and they are often drafted very broadly. Under BW 7:653 a clause can be limited or set aside where it is not properly motivated or the new role differs. If a clause is blocking a move to another Brainport employer, it is frequently more negotiable than it looks.
Relocation, sign-on and clawback clauses
Internationals relocated to Eindhoven sometimes sign relocation-cost, sign-on bonus or training clauses that demand repayment if you leave early. These clawback clauses are not always enforceable as written; their validity depends on how they are drafted and applied.
Settlement agreements & your WW benefit
If you have been offered a vaststellingsovereenkomst, do not sign the same day. Incorrect wording can cost your WW unemployment benefit, and the end date, transition payment and reference are negotiable. You usually have a reflection period — and for permit holders the end date also affects your search window.
Where Eindhoven cases are handled
Employment disputes in Eindhoven fall under Rechtbank Oost-Brabant (Eindhoven location) and the local UWV office. The lawyers we match you with handle these files regularly.
FindLawyer.nl is a matching service, not a law firm. This page is general information, not legal advice.
What we can match you with a lawyer for
“I’ve been dismissed”
Check whether your dismissal followed Dutch law, and what compensation you may be owed.
- Was there a valid ground under BW 7:669?
- Notice, warnings and hearing-right checks.
- Transition payment (transitievergoeding) review.
- Options to negotiate or challenge.
“I’ve been asked to sign a settlement”
Have a settlement agreement reviewed before you sign — protect your WW benefit and improve the terms.
- WW-safe wording checks.
- End date, reference and garden-leave terms.
- Transition payment and extra compensation.
- Use of your reflection period.
“I haven’t been paid correctly”
Recover unpaid wages, overtime, bonus or holiday pay with evidence-led support.
- Wage claims under BW 7:616 / 7:625.
- Statutory increase for late payment.
- Payslip and roster evidence.
- Demand letter before court.
“I’m sick and being pressured”
Know your rights during illness and reintegration under the Poortwachter rules.
- Wage continuation under BW 7:629.
- Reintegration obligations, both sides.
- Disputes with the bedrijfsarts.
- Protection against dismissal while ill.
“A non-compete is blocking me”
Test whether your non-compete is enforceable and get room to take your next role.
- Validity review under BW 7:653.
- Was the clause properly motivated?
- Urgency around a new start date.
- Carve-outs and settlements.
“There’s a conflict at work”
Get direction on warnings, suspension, investigations or a forced exit.
- Good-employership analysis (BW 7:611).
- Are warnings proportionate?
- Support in hearings or interviews.
- A route to reduce your risk.
Not sure where you stand? Start with a free call.
Fifteen minutes, in English, no obligation. We help you understand your situation and, if it makes sense, match you with a Dutch employment lawyer who handles Eindhoven cases.
- English-speaking from the first minute
- Introduction within 2 business days
- NOvA-registered partner lawyers
Eindhoven employment FAQ
Your permit is employer-sponsored, so a dismissal starts a limited search period (commonly three months) to find a new sponsoring employer before your right to stay is affected. Because employment and immigration are linked, get advice quickly, ideally before agreeing an end date.
Often yes. Under BW 7:653 a non-compete can be limited or set aside where it was not properly motivated or the new role differs. High-tech clauses are frequently over-broad, so it is worth having yours reviewed.
Not always. Clawback clauses for relocation, sign-on bonuses or training are only enforceable if properly drafted and applied. A lawyer can assess whether yours holds up.
Not the same day. Signing a vaststellingsovereenkomst incorrectly can cost your WW benefit, and first drafts are usually improvable. The end date matters even more if your permit search window depends on it.
Your first 15-minute intake with FindLawyer is free and in English. If your case fits, we introduce you to a Dutch employment lawyer who handles Eindhoven files, usually within two business days.
No. FindLawyer.nl is a matching service. We connect you with an independent, NOvA-registered partner law firm that provides the actual legal advice and representation.
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