gobordaGlobal mobility intelligence
Work & skilled workersEffectiveMedium impactVerified

2026 Highly Skilled Migrant Salary Criteria Updated

šŸ‡³šŸ‡± NetherlandsWork Permits1 recorded versionLast change 22 Jul 2026
ConfidenceVery high Ā· 90%

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 aged 30 or older
  • Highly skilled migrants under 30
  • Highly skilled migrants who can use the reduced salary rule
  • Dutch employers that sponsor highly skilled migrants
  • Employers applying for or extending highly skilled migrant residence permits

What changed in the latest version

Before

The gross monthly salary limits for 2025 were: ā‚¬5,688 for highly skilled workers aged 30 or older. ā‚¬4,171 for highly skilled workers under 30. ā‚¬2,989 for the reduced salary rule. This salary did not include holiday pay.

After

From 1 January 2026, the gross monthly salary rules for highly skilled workers and European Blue Card holders are: Highly skilled worker aged 30 and over: ā‚¬5,942. Highly skilled worker younger than 30 years old: ā‚¬4,357. Reduced salary rule for highly skilled workers: ā‚¬3,122. European Blue Card: ā‚¬5,942. Reduced salary rule for European Blue Card: ā‚¬4,754.

This update directly affects highly skilled workers and European Blue Card applicants. It changes the minimum gross monthly salary they must earn. They need to earn this amount to get their residence permit. People applying for these permits from 1 January 2026 must meet the new, higher salary limits. This change also makes sure the government's immigration rules 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

  1. v2Effective 1 Jan 2026EffectiveMedium impact
    2026 Highly Skilled Migrant Salary Criteria Updated

    The Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) has published new gross monthly salary rules for highly skilled workers. These rules include lower amounts for people who recently finished university.

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