Understanding salary thresholds for Highly Skilled Migrants
The residence permit for highly skilled migrants remains one of the most attractive tools to employ non-EU nationals in the Netherlands. Aside from the requirement that the employer is in possession of recognized sponsor status with the IND, the main condition for the permit is a gross salary (in line with market conditions for hired position and experience of the employee) that meets applicable thresholds.
These salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants are updated annually, and employers and prospective employees alike must understand which and how they apply, particularly given the nuances around timing and status.
This guide breaks down the salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants, and key rules surrounding when thresholds apply.
Salary thresholds for Highly Skilled Migrants
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) uses the following three salary thresholds (which exclude holiday pay) for highly skilled migrants:
Highly Skilled Migrants Aged 30 and Above (in 2024: €5,331/month)
Highly Skilled Migrants Under 30 (in 2024: €3,909/month)
Reduced Salary Threshold for Qualifying Recent Graduates/holders of an Orientation Year permit* (in 2024: €2,801/month) - While there is no salary threshold for those holding an Orientation Year permit (holders are permitted to work freely in paid employment or even unpaid (e.g. as interns)), those in possession of the permit can qualify for the reduced salary threshold if an employer applies for a Highly Skilled Migrant permit on their behalf either during or immediately after their Orientation Year period.
These salary thresholds for Highly Skilled Migrants are indexed yearly, we are expecting an increase of approximately 6.7% in 2025. Please see our blog regarding the Definitive salary thresholds highly skilled migrants and Blue Card holders 2025.
Timing and threshold determination: key rules and examples
A unique aspect of the Dutch highly skilled migrant program is that the applicable salary threshold is determined based on the date the application is submitted with the IND, not the employment start date. As we are nearing the end of the calendar year, it is important to take this into account because applications can still be submitted in one calendar year but employment starts in the next. Here’s a closer look at how this rule works, with illustrative examples.
The salary threshold at the time of the submission of the application with the IND, applies unindexed for the duration of the permit validity (thus, until the permit must be extended), as long as the Highly Skilled Migrant remains uninterruptedly employed by the same sponsor.
Example 1: Application submission date determines the threshold
If an employer submits an application for a highly skilled migrant permit in December 2024 for an employee aged 35 whose employment will begin in February 2025, the 2024 salary threshold for individuals aged 30 and above (i.e., €5,331 per month) is applicable. This remains true even though the employment start date is in 2025, as the date of submission—December 2024—determines the threshold.
Example 2: Age at submission date determines the threshold
Suppose an applicant will turn 30 on 1 March 2025, with employment set to begin on 1 April 2025 (when they are already 30 years old). If the application is submitted on 1 February 2025, while the applicant is still 29, the lower threshold for highly skilled migrants under 30 can be applied. In this case, the threshold aligns with the age of the applicant at the time of submission, regardless of the applicant’s age at the employment start date.
These examples underscore the importance of timing when applying for Highly Skilled Migrant permits in the Netherlands. Employers and employees should carefully consider the timing of application submissions to determine which salary threshold will apply.
Salary threshold and the extensions of the Highly Skilled Migrant permit
The submission date of the application is also important when considering Highly Skilled Migrant permit extensions. Again, the applicable salary threshold is determined based on the date the extension application is submitted to the IND.
Hence, if an employment of a Highly Skilled Migrant’s contract expires in 2025 but the extension for the residence permit is submitted in 2024, the threshold for 2024 is applicable. When the extension is submitted on 1-1-2025, the indexed threshold applies.
For Highly Skilled Migrants who joined a sponsor as a Highly Skilled Migrant (or whose initial application was submitted) when they were 29 years or younger, and they turn 30 during their employment, the salary threshold for Highly Skilled Migrants aged 29 and younger will continue to apply as long as the employment with that same sponsor remains uninterrupted.
Extensions for residence permits can be submitted no earlier than 3 months before the expiration date of the current permit.
Staying informed on annual threshold updates
As these salary thresholds are indexed annually, staying informed is crucial. Employers and highly skilled migrants are advised to regularly check updates from the IND or consult with trusted immigration law experts who specialize in Dutch immigration law. This helps ensure compliance and provides clarity in cases where timing or age may affect the applicable salary threshold.
Conclusion
For both highly skilled migrants and the employers who hire them, understanding and navigating the salary thresholds in the Netherlands is essential for successful employment and legal compliance. The timing of the application submission, as well as the applicant’s age at that time, are critical factors in determining which threshold will apply. By staying informed and adhering to these guidelines, highly skilled migrants can take full advantage of the Dutch job market, and employers can access top-tier talent from around the world to support their growth and innovation.
