Amsterdam based law firm Penrose has opened a temporary phone line for SME businesses that have been hit hard by the COVID-19 virus in the Netherlands. This may especially be relevant for companies in the Netherlands that conduct business in the cultural, creative and hospitality sectors. Initially, our Dutch legal help line was intended for companies in Holland that are affected by the Corona virus. Now, we are also able to offer this service to English speaking entrepreneurs both in the Netherlands and elsewhere.

You can reach us from Monday through Friday between 14.00 – 17.00hr (CET) at phone number +31 20-2400703. We are more than willing to assist you with your legal questions, including with regards to the Corona measures recently announced by the Dutch government. This also includes help with filling out the relevant forms relating to the COVID-19 measures in the Netherlands, such as NOW.

Application NOW measure in the Netherlands

On 6 April 2020, the Dutch Employment Agency (Dutch acronym: UWV) has launched the website to apply for the so-called NOW measure: https://now.uwv.nl/. NOW stands for Noodmaatregel Overbrugging Werkgelegenheid, i.e. emergency relief to bridge employment. The measure allows for an allowance to partly cover the costs of wages during the Corona crisis. To apply for NOW you will need:

1. your Dutch Employer Tax Identification Number (i.e. for wage tax purposes);
2. your 2019 turnover;
3. a forecast of your turnover for the April, May June 2020;
4. a printer / scanner;
5. a recent bank statement of the applicant.

There is an easy online calculation tool to determine the reduction in turnover in the Netherlands for NOW application purposes. The NOW application form and the calculation tool are available in Dutch. Please call the above number if you need help with the online form. Be aware that the NOW measure is aimed at keeping people employed in the Netherlands. For that reason, a number of -strict- conditions apply, such as not terminating employment contracts for economic reasons.

Please be aware that the assistance that we can provide by phone can not be exhaustive. The situation regarding the COVID-19 measures in the Netherlands is fluid and we may not be able to fully address all of the questions. We will not charge for this helpline service and you will not become a client of Penrose by calling us.

Many entrepreneurs are dealing with the same type of questions. We have addressed many of these questions in eight relevant themes. This information is available in Dutch and can be accessed via this link. We are in the process of translating this information in English. Please see here for information about terminating contracts in the Netherlands in light of COVID-19. We have posted a blog here that addresses the suspension of SaaS agreements and other IT contracts due to the Corona crisis.

The Dutch attorneys of Penrose can also be reached at info@penrose.law.