Highly Skilled Migrant
Current rules
Effective 1 January 2026, the gross monthly salary criteria for highly skilled migrants and European Blue Card holders are: * Highly skilled migrant aged 30 and over: ā¬5942 * Highly skilled migrant younger than 30 years old: ā¬4357 * Reduced salary criterion for highly skilled migrants: ā¬3122 * European Blue Card: ā¬5942 * Reduced salary criterion for European Blue Card: ā¬4754
Overview
The IND has published updated gross monthly salary criteria for highly skilled migrants, including reduced amounts for recent graduates.
Who is affected by the latest change
- Highly skilled migrants who have sponsors recognised by the Dutch government
- People with an orientation year permit who are changing to a work permit
- People who recently graduated from Dutch universities
What changed in the latest version
Before
The 2025 monthly gross salary thresholds were: ā¬5,688 ā highly skilled migrants aged 30 or older ā¬4,171 ā highly skilled migrants under 30 ā¬2,989 ā reduced salary criterion The salary was calculated excluding holiday allowance.
After
Effective 1 January 2026, the gross monthly salary criteria for highly skilled migrants and European Blue Card holders are: * Highly skilled migrant aged 30 and over: ā¬5942 * Highly skilled migrant younger than 30 years old: ā¬4357 * Reduced salary criterion for highly skilled migrants: ā¬3122 * European Blue Card: ā¬5942 * Reduced salary criterion for European Blue Card: ā¬4754
This update directly impacts highly skilled migrants and European Blue Card applicants by revising the minimum gross monthly salary they must earn to qualify for their respective residence permits. Individuals applying for these permits from 1 January 2026, onwards must meet the new, higher income thresholds. This change also ensures the government's immigration criteria reflect current economic conditions and wage levels in the Netherlands.
Explained simply
Think of it like getting a promotion or a new job where the company has to pay you at least a certain amount of money. The Netherlands, through its Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND), has just announced new minimum 'salary tickets' for people who want to come work there as highly skilled migrants or with a European Blue Card. Starting 1 January 2026, if you're applying for one of these work permits, your employer needs to promise to pay you a bit more each month than before. The exact amount depends on whether you're over or under 30, and there are even special, slightly lower 'reduced' tickets for certain situations. It's like the IND is saying, 'To qualify for this special pass, you need to show you'll earn at least this much.' They do this every year to keep up with how much things cost and how much people generally earn.
Version history
- v2Effective 1 Jan 2026EffectiveMedium impact2026 Highly Skilled Migrant Salary Criteria Updated
The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has published new gross monthly salary rules for highly skilled migrants. These rules include lower amounts for people who recently finished their studies.
- v1Effective 1 Jan 2027PassedHigh impactNetherlands narrows the expatriate tax ruling for new arrivals
The Netherlands is reducing a tax benefit. This benefit is called the 30% ruling. It helps foreign employees who qualify. From 1 January 2027, the most money an employee can get tax-free will be 27% of their salary. This applies to employees who started using the 30% ruling in 2024 or later. Before this, the amount was 30%. This change is part of a larger plan to cut back on tax benefits for foreign workers in the Netherlands.
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