IND update salary thresholds for 2025
The Dutch Immigration and Naturalisation Service (IND) annually updates the minimum salary thresholds for Highly Skilled Migrants. These requirements are essential for companies hiring international talent from outside the EU, and for international professionals who want to work in the Netherlands. These new thresholds will apply as of the 1st of January 2025. In this article, we will walk you through these updated salary thresholds. In comparison to 2024, the minimum salary requirements increased by 6.7% which is slightly higher than the 6.5% increase in 2024.
New Minimum Salary Requirements for 2025
Below you’ll find the gross monthly salary requirements (excluding the holiday allowance of 8%) that employees must meet for various HSM categories, starting from the 1st of January 2025:
Highly Skilled Migrants 30 and above € 5.688
Highly Skilled Migrants under 30 € 4.171
Reduced Salary threshold € 2.989
EU Blue Card € 5.688
Reduced Salary threshold for EU Blue Card € 4.551
What may be included in the salary threshold?
These thresholds represent the minimum gross monthly salaries, excluding holiday allowances. All additional allowances and/or bonuses can be added onto the monthly salary if they are recurring, fixed and documented in the employment contract or employment addendum. Ensure the salary aligns with market standards and is paid monthly into the employee's bank account.
Reduced salary threshold
The reduced salary threshold applies in the following three situations:
The residence permit for a Highly Skilled Migrant permit is applied for during, or immediately after the residence permit for an orientation year.
The Highly Skilled Migrant no longer holds a residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated persons but previously had one. The application for the Highly Skilled Migrant residence the doctoral defence ceremony, or within 3 years of the expiry of the research residence permit.
The Highly Skilled Migrant has never had a residence permit for the orientation year for highly educated persons but he / she meets the requirements for this category. For example, the Highly Skilled Migrant may have graduated, obtained a doctoral degree, or conducted research. The application for the Highly Skilled Migrant residence permit must be submitted within 3 years of the graduation date or doctoral defence ceremony, or within 3 years of the expiry of the research residence permit.
Reduced salary threshold for the European Blue Card
The reduced salary threshold for the EU Blue Card applies to graduates who have completed a higher education programme. The (recognised) sponsor should apply for the European Blue Card residence permit within 3 years of the graduation or PhD completion date.
The lower salary threshold may also apply in case of a renewal of the residence permit or change employers within 3 years of graduation or the PhD defence date, or in case a Highly Skilled Migrant applies for an renewal of the permit within 24 months after obtaining the initial residence permit.
Important deadline - December 31st 2024
Extensions of Dutch residence permits can be submitted up to 3 months prior a Dutch HSM residence permit card expires. To employ a Highly Skilled Migrant, submit a renewal, or Change of Purpose application to be assessed under the 2024 salary criteria, it must be submitted latest December 31, 2024. Applications submitted as of January 1, 2025, must comply with the new, higher IND salary threshold.
No Impact on existing residence permits
In case a Highly Skilled Migrant already holds a valid residence permit, these new thresholds will not affect their current permit. However, any changes in employment or other circumstances will impact the application, and in such cases, the new salary requirements become relevant.
Questions or concerns
For any questions about the new IND salary threshold for 2025, how they may impact an application, or the application process in general, get in touch with our visa- and immigration team!