How to hire Highly Skilled Migrants as a Startup using an Employer of Record in the Netherlands

For fast-growing startups in the Netherlands, accessing top international talent is crucial. However, navigating Dutch immigration and employment rules for skilled migrants can be a significant hurdle.

Enter the Employer of Record (EOR). This streamlined approach allows startups to legally and efficiently onboard non-EU/EEA professionals without the complexities of becoming a recognized sponsor. This article outlines how an EOR simplifies hiring highly skilled migrants in the Netherlands.

Understanding Highly Skilled Migrants

These individuals (in Dutch kennismigranten) meet specific Dutch salary and employment criteria, qualifying them for expedited work and residency permits. Current (2025) minimum gross monthly salaries (excluding holiday pay) are:

• Highly skilled migrants aged 30 and over: €5,688 gross per month

• Highly skilled migrants under 30: €4,171 gross per month

• Recent graduates from Dutch higher education institutions or foreign top 200 education institutions: €2,989 gross per month

These numbers are subject to annual indexation.

Challenges Startups Face with Hiring Migrants

Becoming a recognized sponsor with the IND demands financial stability, a formal structure, and strict adherence to regulations – a challenge for resource-constrained startups.

This can be a heavy lift, especially in the early stages when resources are tight and HR processes are still evolving.

The EOR Solution:

An Employer of Record is a third-party organization that legally employs workers on behalf of another company. The EOR handles all administrative, legal, and compliance-related tasks such as:

• Employment contracts

• Payroll and tax filings

• Visa sponsorship (in this case, as a recognized sponsor with the IND)

• Social security contributions

• Onboarding and HR administration

The startup retains day-to-day control over the employee’s work and performance, while the EOR assumes legal responsibility as the official employer.

Benefits of Using an EOR for Skilled Migrant Hires:

1. Skip the Recognized Sponsor Process

Instead of going through the lengthy and sometimes costly process of becoming a recognized sponsor yourself, you can partner with an EOR that already holds this status. This enables you to hire a migrant worker much faster—often within a few weeks.

2. Ensure Compliance

Dutch labor laws and immigration rules are complex. An EOR ensures full compliance with:

• IND’s sponsorship obligations

• Dutch tax regulations

• Employment law and working conditions

This minimizes your risk of fines, audits, or accidental non-compliance.

3. Focus on Your Core Business

By outsourcing the legal and administrative aspects of employment, you can focus on growing your business while your EOR handles everything behind the scenes.

The Hiring Process with an EOR:

1. Select a Reliable EOR: Choose a provider with expertise in Dutch law. Exterus offers both services in house, along with Tax and international payroll expertise.

2. Define the Role: Collaborate with the EOR on job descriptions and compliant compensation packages.

3. EOR Handles Visa Application: Once you select a candidate, the EOR submits the residence permit application (as quick as 2-4 weeks).

4. Onboarding and Work: Upon visa approval, the migrant begins work, with the EOR as the legal employer.

5. Ongoing Support: The EOR manages payroll, taxes, benefits, and compliance.

Costs and Future Considerations

EOR services involve fees (percentage of salary or flat rate), which can be more cost-effective than direct setup and compliance risks. As your startup matures, you might consider transitioning to direct sponsorship.

In Conclusion

Employing highly skilled migrants via an EOR offers a streamlined, compliant, and scalable solution for Dutch startups seeking global talent. It eliminates bureaucratic hurdles, accelerates hiring, and allows you to focus on building your company.