Kingdom of the Netherlands
Kingdom of the Netherlands visa salary thresholds
The Netherlands applies age-banded salary floors for Highly Skilled Migrants (Kennismigrant) and the EU Blue Card, plus reduced rates for recent graduates of the Orientation Year and for applicants under 30.
Last checked 1 June 2026. Every figure is mapped to a primary government source and re-verified over time; recorded changes appear in the changelog.
What salary do you need for a skilled-work visa in Netherlands?
The main skilled-work salary floor in Kingdom of the Netherlands is €5,942 / month (Kennismigrant — 30+), effective 1 January 2026. Occupation-specific going rates may bind higher.
Verified against IND — Highly Skilled Migrant on 1 June 2026.
Threshold table
| Route | Amount | ~USD | In force since | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Kennismigrant — 30+ Monthly gross salary floor (excluding 8% holiday allowance) for Highly Skilled Migrants aged 30 and over, valid 1 January–30 June 2026. Annual equivalent approx €71,304. | €5,942 / month | $6,370 | 2026-01-01 | IND — Highly Skilled Migrant |
Kennismigrant — under 30 Reduced monthly gross salary floor for Highly Skilled Migrants under 30, valid 1 January–30 June 2026. Annual equivalent approx €52,284. | €4,357 / month | $4,670 | 2026-01-01 | IND — Highly Skilled Migrant |
Orientation Year search — reduced rate Reduced rate for applicants transitioning from the Orientation Year / zoekjaar to a Highly Skilled Migrant permit within 3 years of graduation, valid 1 January–30 June 2026. | €3,122 / month | $3,350 | 2026-01-01 | IND — Highly Skilled Migrant |
EU Blue Card (Netherlands) Monthly gross salary floor for the EU Blue Card in the Netherlands (1 January–30 June 2026); the 2026 standard equals the Highly Skilled Migrant 30+ floor. A reduced €4,754/month applies to recent graduates. Annual equivalent approx €71,304. | €5,942 / month | $6,370 | 2026-01-01 | IND — EU Blue Card |
How often this changes
IND indexes these figures each 1 January (and revises mid-year) to the Dutch CBS wage index. The 2026 H1 floors are €5,942 (30+ / Blue Card), €4,357 (under 30) and €3,122 (orientation year), gross monthly excluding the 8% holiday allowance.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum salary to qualify for a work visa in Netherlands?
The Netherlands applies age-banded salary floors for Highly Skilled Migrants (Kennismigrant) and the EU Blue Card, plus reduced rates for recent graduates of the Orientation Year and for applicants under 30.
How often do Netherlands salary thresholds change?
IND indexes these figures each 1 January (and revises mid-year) to the Dutch CBS wage index. The 2026 H1 floors are €5,942 (30+ / Blue Card), €4,357 (under 30) and €3,122 (orientation year), gross monthly excluding the 8% holiday allowance.
Does meeting the headline threshold guarantee approval?
No. Headline floors are one of several criteria. Most jurisdictions also apply an occupation-specific going rate, character and health checks, and — for sponsored routes — employer/sponsor compliance. Failing any one of these can lead to refusal even where salary is above the threshold.
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Reviewed by Sam Parks, Editor and lead researcher.