Dutch salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants 2025

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All you need to know regarding Dutch thresholds for highly skilled migrants, EU blue card, and the orientation year

Each year, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) establishes minimum salary thresholds that employers must meet when hiring highly skilled migrants or applicants for the European Blue Card. These thresholds reflect amongst others economic trends and inflation. For 2025, the thresholds have been updated to provide clear guidance for both employers and employees. This guide outlines everything you need to know. Need advice? Contact our team of specialists!

What are the Dutch salary thresholds?

Salary thresholds are the minimum income requirements that an employer must meet to secure a residence permit for employees coming to the Netherlands as highly skilled migrants or European Blue Card holders. For orientation year permits, these thresholds serve as guidelines for the expected income after the orientation year. The IND enforces these thresholds to ensure that migrants can support themselves financially in the Netherlands without relying on social welfare systems.

Salary thresholds for 2025

The thresholds are determined per month, gross, and exclude holiday allowance. The main categories are as follows:

Category	Threshold 2025
Highly skilled migrants ≥ 30 years	€ 5,688
Highly skilled migrants < 30 years	€ 4,171
Highly skilled migrants after orientation year	€ 2,989
EU Blue Card	€ 5,688
EU Blue Card (reduced threshold)	€ 4,551
Orientation year graduates	€ 2,631

The orientation year allows recent graduates and researchers who completed their studies in the Netherlands or another recognized program to stay in the country for up to one year to seek employment. The minimum income for a residence permit based on orientation year is set at € 2,631 gross per month. This provides a foundation for financial independence while contributing to the Dutch labor market. The EU Blue Card offers highly educated migrants access to the European labor market. The “reduced threshold” category is related to graduated highly educated migrants that are needed in specific sectors or roles, based on labor market needs.

Important conditions

Employers must adhere to the following conditions to meet the salary criteria:

Condition	Details
Gross income	The stated salary must be a fixed gross amount, excluding bonuses or allowances.
Employment contract	Employment terms must be documented in a written contract.
Verified payments	The salary must be paid monthly and must be traceable.

What counts toward the salary threshold?

The IND accepts fixed expense reimbursements and allowances if the following requirements are met:

Included components	Excluded components
Listed in the employment contract	Holiday allowance
Transferred to the employee’s bank account monthly	Payment in kind
Paid monthly, including 13th-month bonuses	Irregular pay, such as overtime or tips

For fixed allowances, these must be distributed in equal monthly installments.

Why are these salary thresholds important?

For employers, meeting the salary thresholds is a crucial requirement for hiring highly skilled migrants or EU Blue Card holders. These thresholds ensure that migrants are financially independent and that their residence permits are approved without complications. For tailored advice or assistance with specific cases, feel free to contact our team of global mobility specialists.