The Netherlands' highly skilled migrant salary criteria rose about 4.5% effective January 1, 2026, and a separate EU directive has changed how long IND can take to decide applications.
- Implementation
- January 1, 2026 (salary); May 22, 2026 (EU Directive 2024/1233)
- Country
- Netherlands
- Applies to
- Highly skilled migrants, EU Blue Card, ICT and GVVA permit holders
- Status
- In force
New 2026 salary thresholds
For applicants aged 30 and over, the gross monthly salary threshold is now €5,942 (excluding 8% holiday allowance). Under 30, the threshold is €4,357/month. A reduced criterion applies to recent graduates and search-year participants: €3,122/month.
Processing can now take longer under EU Directive 2024/1233
From May 22, 2026, EU Directive 2024/1233 changed how Dutch residence and work permits are processed for categories including paid employment, highly skilled migrants, EU Blue Card holders, researchers, and orientation-year graduates. Under the new rules, IND may now take up to 30 extra days to decide first-time applications in these categories — so applying earlier matters more than it used to.
A longer safety net if you lose your job
Permit holders who've held their permit for at least two years can now take up to six months — up from three — to find new employment if they become unemployed, though this can't exceed the remaining validity of their residence permit. 2026 IND application fees stand at €423 for the HSM, EU Blue Card, ICT, and GVVA single-permit categories.
| Applicant | 2026 Monthly Salary Threshold |
|---|---|
| Age 30+ | €5,942 |
| Under 30 | €4,357 |
| Recent graduate / search year | €3,122 |
These are universal thresholds and processing rules affecting every highly skilled migrant applicant. The extended six-month job-search window is a meaningful safety net worth knowing about if a candidate's employment situation changes after arrival; the longer processing window means applying earlier matters more than before.
